A 

nature reserve (nature preserve) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features

of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes
of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. Normally it is more strictly
protected than a nature park.

Scientific research and education are the primary uses of nature reserves
and recreation  is generally restricted.

Nature Reserves are established to:

 provide areas suitable for scientific research and education;

 protect representative examples of natural ecosystems;
 provide examples of ecosystems that have been modified by humans and offer an
opportunity to study the natural recovery of ecosystems from modification;
 protect rare or endangered native plants or animals in their natural habitats; and
 provide educational or research field areas for the long-term study of natural changes
and balancing forces in undisturbed ecosystems.

Typically, though, the term "nature reserve" is a general one, that can be used
to refer to any area of land that is protected due to its natural inhabitants.

An area of
wetland might be set aside as a nature reserve.
Most often, a governmental agency designates a certain area of land as a
nature reserve due to the exceptional native organisms that live there. These
special organisms may be a particularly good example of an uncommon
native species, or a particularly rich collection of species living together.
Sometimes the reserve is home to an endangered species, or is a part of the
country with a unique form of ecology, such as a wetland.

A waterfall
on the island of Tasmania. Nearly half of Tasmania is made up of nature reserves
and other protected areas.
All types of organisms may be part of a nature reserve. Large animals may be
the reason the nature reserve exists, but the choice of that area as a reserve
could also be down to a creature as small as a snail or an insect. Plants also
make a difference when a government chooses a site to protect from people,
especially if they are rare and only native to that country. Even a place that is
relatively barren of organisms, but has a particular geology may be made a
nature reserve.
 Government
al agencies will preserve lands with exceptional ecosystems.
As the reserve is supposed to be an area that retains its natural beauty and
interest, along with its diversity of species, a management structure has to be
in place to regulate the reserve. Typically this is a government organization,
who enforce the laws of the area and punish people who break those laws.
Examples of potential rules include a ban on vehicles, prohibition of open air
fires and a restriction on the places where people can walk. Fees may apply to
entrants into a reserve, and the government may also approve certain
businesses inside the park, such as refreshment kiosks and businesses that
predated the creation of the reserve like stores.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

It is the sanctuary of the African black rhinoceros, and it is one of Kenya’s
most important reserves. Over the years, thanks to conservation and protection
policies, the population of black rhinos has increased by 6 per cent. The park is
also home to the largest population of Grévy’s zebras (380 individuals), of
which there are 3,000 globally.

American Praire Reserve

It is one of the last pristine prairies in the world. This reserve takes you back in
time, when the first explorers went to the West, finding millions of bison and
tens of indigenous tribes. Today, a ten-year project is being carried out to
restore bison populations, which today count as little as a few thousands of
individuals in the wild.