Brief physical-geographical characteristics, history of creation and development of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve territory are presented. We listed aims and objectives assigned for the Mordovia Reserve in different periods. During the first years of the Mordovia Reserve the forest conservation was aimed at reforestation of the southern area of the taiga zone; the investigation of harmful insect fauna to timely response on infection foci of trees; enriching of the fauna of the Reserve. At present, the Reserve should have an ecological-educational value in addition to the value of nature conservation. The article presents the modern period of scientific investigations and the development of the Mordovia Reserve territory. Also, it contains data on the species number of flora and fauna, including those listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia (2003, 2005) and of the Russian Federation (2001, 2008). Due to the geographical location on the border of three natural zones and a high degree of knowledge of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve, there are noted 344 macromycetes (including 1 species listed in the Red Book of Russian Federation, 15 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 361 lichens (including 3 species included in the Red Book of Russia and 24 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); more than 100 mosses (including 7 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 796 vascular plants (including 3 species from the IUCN list, 3 species included in the Red Book of Russian Federation and 46 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); more than 4500 insects (including 11 species from the IUCN list, 11 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 53 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 32 fishes (including 1 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 11 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 11 amphibians (including 4 species from the main list of the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia); 7 reptiles (including 3 species from the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia); 222 birds (including 2 species from the IUCN list, 20 species included in the Red Book of Russia, and 69 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 65 mammals (including 1 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 23 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book). We have indicated further problems and objectives for functioning and development of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve.
