自20世紀80年代(dai)中(zhong)期(qi)，南(nan)華山(shan)腹地(di)的海原縣水沖寺(si)、五橋溝、靈光(guang)寺(si)林場等幾個林業單位，成為當地(di)林草植被建設(she)的重點區域。
1993年10月，海原縣在南華(hua)山成立10萬畝水(shui)源(yuan)涵養林基地建(jian)設指揮部。
1997年，在水源(yuan)涵養林(lin)基地(di)建設(she)指揮(hui)部的(de)礎(chu)上，合并原南(nan)華山牧(mu)場(chang)，成立南(nan)華山水源(yuan)涵養林(lin)總場(chang)。
2004年，寧夏回族(zu)自(zi)治區九屆人大(da)二次會(hui)議上，部(bu)分人大(da)代表(biao)遞交(jiao)了建立南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)自(zi)然保護(hu)區的議案，劃定(ding)南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)為省級自(zi)然保護(hu)區，2004年底，寧夏回族(zu)自(zi)治區人民政府批準成立海原縣南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)區級自(zi)然保護(hu)區。 ?
2014年12月5日，經國務院辦公廳(ting)批準，晉升為國家級(ji)自然保護區。
寧夏(xia)南(nan)華山國(guo)家級自(zi)(zi)然(ran)保護區(qu)位于寧夏(xia)回族自(zi)(zi)治區(qu)中(zhong)(zhong)部(bu)的中(zhong)(zhong)衛(wei)市海原縣，分布于縣域中(zhong)(zhong)心部(bu)位。
南(nan)華山所屬(shu)區域大(da)地(di)構(gou)造屬(shu)于較(jiao)活動的秦(qin)祁(qi)(qi)(qi)昆地(di)槽褶(zhe)(zhe)皺系(xi)“北(bei)(bei)祁(qi)(qi)(qi)連褶(zhe)(zhe)皺系(xi)的北(bei)(bei)祁(qi)(qi)(qi)連走廊過(guo)渡(du)帶”，按板塊(kuai)構(gou)造觀點，本區域所屬(shu)大(da)地(di)構(gou)造位(wei)置位(wei)于秦(qin)嶺(ling)—祁(qi)(qi)(qi)連活動帶祁(qi)(qi)(qi)連—北(bei)(bei)秦(qin)嶺(ling)褶(zhe)(zhe)皺系(xi)的北(bei)(bei)祁(qi)(qi)(qi)連加里東褶(zhe)(zhe)皺帶南(nan)華山斷褶(zhe)(zhe)帶。
南華(hua)山出露(lu)地層由老到新(xin)包括(kuo)中(zhong)(zhong)元古界(jie)長城系(xi)南華(hua)山群(qun)(qun)（Chnh）、薊縣(xian)系(xi)園(yuan)河群(qun)(qun)（Jxyh）、下古生(sheng)(sheng)界(jie)志留系(xi)上統(tong)(tong)(tong)旱(han)峽組(zu)（S3h）、上古生(sheng)(sheng)界(jie)泥盆系(xi)中(zhong)(zhong)統(tong)(tong)(tong)石(shi)峽溝組(zu)（D2s）和(he)石(shi)炭(tan)系(xi)中(zhong)(zhong)統(tong)(tong)(tong)羊虎溝組(zu)（C2y）、中(zhong)(zhong)生(sheng)(sheng)界(jie)白堊系(xi)下統(tong)(tong)(tong)六盤山群(qun)(qun)（K1l）、新(xin)生(sheng)(sheng)界(jie)古近系(xi)始新(xin)統(tong)(tong)(tong)寺口子(zi)組(zu)（E2s）和(he)漸新(xin)統(tong)(tong)(tong)清(qing)水營組(zu)（E2q）、新(xin)生(sheng)(sheng)界(jie)新(xin)近系(xi)中(zhong)(zhong)新(xin)統(tong)(tong)(tong)紅柳溝組(zu)（N1h）和(he)第(di)四系(xi)沖、洪積物(wu)及黃(huang)土沉積。
南(nan)華山(shan)地區出(chu)露了早古(gu)生代(dai)中(zhong)酸性巖(yan)漿巖(yan)，分布(bu)在山(shan)體西(xi)北(bei)、北(bei)東側(ce)和西(xi)側(ce)。南(nan)華山(shan)地區出(chu)露的花崗(gang)閃長巖(yan)體，受南(nan)西(xi)華山(shan)深大(da)斷(duan)裂控制(zhi)，呈(cheng)北(bei)西(xi)-南(nan)東向展布(bu)，構成巖(yan)漿巖(yan)帶。分別沿南(nan)華山(shan)南(nan)、北(bei)斷(duan)裂帶侵入于元(yuan)古(gu)界(jie)地層中(zhong)，呈(cheng)巖(yan)株(zhu)、巖(yan)瘤狀產出(chu)，屬淺成侵入體。
南華(hua)山(shan)地區(qu)位于寧(ning)夏南部向北(bei)東突出的弧形構造體(ti)系(xi)之中，屬(shu)于該(gai)體(ti)系(xi)年代新，晚新生(sheng)代以來持續上升，構成西華(hua)山(shan)—南華(hua)山(shan)弧形構造山(shan)地。
南(nan)華山(shan)(shan)地(di)區(qu)出露老(lao)的(de)地(di)層為(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)元(yuan)(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)界長城系(xi)南(nan)華山(shan)(shan)群(qun)（Chnh），為(wei)一(yi)套綠片巖-云母片巖-大理巖巖石組(zu)合，原巖為(wei)海(hai)(hai)底火山(shan)(shan)巖和(he)優地(di)槽型海(hai)(hai)相(xiang)(xiang)沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)，表(biao)明在中(zhong)(zhong)元(yuan)(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)代(dai)早(zao)(zao)期發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)強烈的(de)拉張和(he)裂陷(xian)，中(zhong)(zhong)元(yuan)(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)代(dai)末期，在五臺運(yun)動作用下(xia)，轉(zhuan)變為(wei)擠壓體(ti)系(xi)，經過北祁連洋(yang)殼(ke)向(xiang)南(nan)側西寧—蘭(lan)州微板(ban)塊下(xia)俯沖，海(hai)(hai)槽封閉，褶(zhe)皺隆起。早(zao)(zao)古(gu)(gu)(gu)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)再度強烈拗陷(xian)，早(zao)(zao)古(gu)(gu)(gu)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)后期強烈的(de)加里東運(yun)動使北祁連海(hai)(hai)槽前(qian)寒(han)武(wu)紀(ji)地(di)層褶(zhe)皺抬升，并伴有中(zhong)(zhong)酸性巖漿巖體(ti)侵入。經剝蝕后，在山(shan)(shan)前(qian)低地(di)堆積(ji)了(le)泥盆(pen)系(xi)陸相(xiang)(xiang)紅色(se)碎屑(xie)巖，經過夷平和(he)沉(chen)(chen)降又接受了(le)石炭系(xi)的(de)深灰色(se)泥巖夾砂巖和(he)薄煤層沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)。二疊(die)紀(ji)早(zao)(zao)期本區(qu)基本上(shang)脫離(li)了(le)海(hai)(hai)洋(yang)環境發(fa)育陸相(xiang)(xiang)沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)。印支、燕山(shan)(shan)運(yun)動使該地(di)區(qu)多次發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)褶(zhe)皺與沖斷(duan)，進(jin)而控制了(le)中(zhong)(zhong)、新生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)山(shan)(shan)間斷(duan)陷(xian)盆(pen)地(di)的(de)發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)與發(fa)展。山(shan)(shan)體(ti)進(jin)一(yi)步(bu)抬升，在山(shan)(shan)前(qian)前(qian)緣盆(pen)地(di)內發(fa)育了(le)白堊紀(ji)和(he)第三紀(ji)沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)。?
南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)是寧(ning)夏南部(bu)六盤(pan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)、月亮山(shan)(shan)(shan)、南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)、西(xi)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)弧形(xing)山(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)的(de)一部(bu)分，為侵蝕(shi)構造(zao)中山(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)地(di)貌。山(shan)(shan)(shan)體(ti)呈西(xi)北(bei)—東南走(zou)向，山(shan)(shan)(shan)體(ti)內部(bu)沖溝切割強烈，斷層(ceng)巖(yan)壁較為發育；溝系呈放射狀(zhuang)，羽狀(zhuang)展布；山(shan)(shan)(shan)脊(ji)呈尖棱狀(zhuang)、魚(yu)脊(ji)狀(zhuang)、齒狀(zhuang)，有的(de)經(jing)風化剝蝕(shi)成渾圓(yuan)狀(zhuang)。高峰馬萬山(shan)(shan)(shan)2954.6米，平均海拔2600米左(zuo)右，溝口(kou)海拔一般北(bei)麓(lu)2000米，南麓(lu)2200米，相對高差700～900米左(zuo)右。
南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)區(qu)地(di)貌形成(cheng)與演(yan)化明顯受地(di)質構(gou)造(zao)和(he)巖層控制。南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)—西華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)深大斷裂(lie)從元古代(dai)開始一直影響本區(qu)的構(gou)造(zao)和(he)沉積。南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)體自二疊(die)紀(ji)早期脫離了海洋環境(jing)后，長時期處于隆升剝蝕狀態，只(zhi)是(shi)在(zai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)前前緣盆地(di)內(nei)發(fa)(fa)育(yu)了白堊紀(ji)和(he)第三紀(ji)沉積。中新世(shi)時，曾先后發(fa)(fa)生過(guo)兩次構(gou)造(zao)變(bian)形，造(zao)成(cheng)了山(shan)(shan)(shan)體隆升和(he)紅柳溝組與清水(shui)營組之間的角度不整合。上新世(shi)末期—更(geng)新世(shi)以來(lai)新構(gou)造(zao)運動(dong)活躍(yue)，構(gou)造(zao)變(bian)形在(zai)本區(qu)較中新世(shi)兩次構(gou)造(zao)變(bian)形更(geng)加強烈(lie)，南(nan)(nan)、西華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)北(bei)麓斷裂(lie)強烈(lie)活動(dong)，山(shan)(shan)(shan)體進(jin)(jin)一步隆升，盆地(di)進(jin)(jin)一步斷陷(xian)(xian)，第四紀(ji)地(di)層被錯斷，形成(cheng)山(shan)(shan)(shan)邊斷陷(xian)(xian)，引起水(shui)系、山(shan)(shan)(shan)脊和(he)階(jie)地(di)的變(bian)化。
寧(ning)夏南(nan)(nan)華山國(guo)家級自然保護區屬(shu)北溫(wen)(wen)帶大陸(lu)性季風氣候，氣溫(wen)(wen)由山麓(lu)向山頂逐漸(jian)降低。南(nan)(nan)華山冷月(yue)(yue)(yue)在(zai)1月(yue)(yue)(yue)份，月(yue)(yue)(yue)平(ping)(ping)均氣溫(wen)(wen)為(wei)(wei)-9.8℃，熱(re)月(yue)(yue)(yue)在(zai)7月(yue)(yue)(yue)，月(yue)(yue)(yue)平(ping)(ping)均氣溫(wen)(wen)為(wei)(wei)10.9℃，全年平(ping)(ping)均氣溫(wen)(wen)為(wei)(wei)0.8℃，年較差 20.7℃。平(ping)(ping)均年降雨量為(wei)(wei) 495.5毫米，降雨主要分布在(zai)植物生(sheng)長季的5～9月(yue)(yue)(yue)份，占全年降雨量的77.15%。
寧(ning)夏南(nan)華山國家(jia)級自然保護(hu)區水(shui)(shui)文特(te)點是山間河(he)(he)谷及(ji)山洪(hong)溝較多，但地表徑流(liu)(liu)不大(da)(da)，多為(wei)間歇河(he)(he)，季節性(xing)變化大(da)(da)，遇到暴雨即(ji)發洪(hong)水(shui)(shui)，雨后基(ji)本(ben)干涸，部分(fen)降水(shui)(shui)滲入地下，以泉水(shui)(shui)的(de)形(xing)式(shi)溢出；地下水(shui)(shui)受地質構造(zao)的(de)影響，而大(da)(da)氣降水(shui)(shui)是地下水(shui)(shui)的(de)重要補給來源。南(nan)華山山體內(nei)部沖(chong)溝切割強烈，溝谷水(shui)(shui)系呈放射(she)狀(zhuang)、羽狀(zhuang)展布，分(fen)別屬于清(qing)水(shui)(shui)河(he)(he)水(shui)(shui)系二級流(liu)(liu)域(yu)(yu)的(de)西河(he)(he)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)(yu)和莧(xian)麻河(he)(he)流(liu)(liu)域(yu)(yu)。南(nan)華山有大(da)(da)小沖(chong)溝約35條，分(fen)別匯入西河(he)(he)、莧(xian)麻河(he)(he)。
寧夏南華山國家級自然(ran)保護區內林草茂密(mi)，植被覆蓋(gai)度高，有(you)利(li)于(yu)涵養水源，降水滲入地下，在山麓以泉眼的形成溢出地表，是周(zhou)圍鄉（鎮(zhen)）人畜飲(yin)水的重要(yao)水源。
寧夏南華山(shan)國家級自然保護(hu)區由(you)于(yu)不同(tong)的(de)海拔高度，陰坡和陽坡，所接(jie)受的(de)陽光不同(tong)、降水和相對(dui)濕(shi)度的(de)不同(tong)、植被類型(xing)的(de)不同(tong)，形成以垂(chui)直地(di)帶性土壤(rang)灰褐(he)土和山(shan)麓為基帶土壤(rang)黑壚土為主的(de)土類。
灰(hui)(hui)褐土(tu)(tu)一般分布在(zai)海(hai)拔(ba)2000～2955米(mi)(mi)之間，其下部(bu)與(yu)水平地帶(dai)性(xing)土(tu)(tu)壤(rang)黑壚土(tu)(tu)銜(xian)接，成土(tu)(tu)母質為(wei)紅色(se)、紫紅色(se)和(he)雜色(se)砂巖(yan)、灰(hui)(hui)綠色(se)云母片巖(yan)的風化物，土(tu)(tu)壤(rang)有(you)(you)機質含量高，黑色(se)腐殖質層較(jiao)(jiao)厚(hou)，有(you)(you)輕度淋溶現象發生，剖面中下部(bu)質地較(jiao)(jiao)表層土(tu)(tu)黏，有(you)(you)石(shi)灰(hui)(hui)淀積(ji)。分為(wei)暗灰(hui)(hui)褐土(tu)(tu)：主要分布在(zai)海(hai)拔(ba)2600米(mi)(mi)以上的山脊和(he)陰坡(po)中上部(bu)比較(jiao)(jiao)平緩處；石(shi)灰(hui)(hui)性(xing)灰(hui)(hui)褐土(tu)(tu)：大(da)部(bu)分位于海(hai)拔(ba)2600米(mi)(mi)以下的陰坡(po)及山谷兩(liang)旁。
黑壚土(tu)類是(shi)南華(hua)山(shan)的基帶土(tu)壤，一般(ban)分布在海拔2000米以下的山(shan)麓(lu)或低山(shan)丘陵區(qu)，成(cheng)土(tu)母(mu)質多為第四紀(ji)黃土(tu)。顯著的特征是(shi)剖面(mian)(mian)中有比較(jiao)深厚、暗灰(hui)色(se)的有機質層和明顯的石灰(hui)質假菌絲體，整(zheng)個(ge)剖面(mian)(mian)質地(di)比較(jiao)均一，土(tu)壤比較(jiao)肥沃。
寧(ning)夏南(nan)華山國(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然保護區地域(yu)范圍(wei)分(fen)別與海城鎮、史(shi)店(dian)鄉(xiang)、曹洼(wa)鄉(xiang)、紅(hong)羊鄉(xiang)、樹(shu)臺鄉(xiang)和西安鎮接壤。其地理坐標為東(dong)經(jing)105°31′-105°44′，北緯36°20′-36°33′，呈西北-東(dong)南(nan)走向，南(nan)北寬19.2千米(mi)(mi)，東(dong)西長26.4千米(mi)(mi)，總面積20100.5公頃(qing)。
按照自然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)功能區(qu)劃要求(qiu)，寧(ning)夏南華(hua)山(shan)國家級自然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)被區(qu)劃為(wei)實驗(yan)區(qu)、緩沖區(qu)和核心區(qu)三個功能區(qu)。其中，核心區(qu)6182.1公(gong)頃(qing)(qing)，緩沖區(qu)5235.3公(gong)頃(qing)(qing)，實驗(yan)區(qu)8683.1公(gong)頃(qing)(qing)。東南以(yi)(yi)(yi)亂堆子、洼里、老虎崾(yao)(yao)峴(xian)、柳樹灣、莧麻(ma)灣、石塘(tang)為(wei)界，西部以(yi)(yi)(yi)種(zhong)田(tian)溝(gou)、水擔溝(gou)，新莊子、崾(yao)(yao)峴(xian)、陽(yang)屲(wa)、王坡、龔灣為(wei)界，北部以(yi)(yi)(yi)菜(cai)園、野狐坡、刺兒溝(gou)、小山(shan)、山(shan)門(men)、蘆子溝(gou)、油(you)房院為(wei)界。四至界限(xian)以(yi)(yi)(yi)標牌(pai)、宣傳(chuan)欄(lan)、巡護(hu)道路(lu)及鐵(tie)絲圍欄(lan)為(wei)明顯(xian)標志。
寧夏南(nan)華山國家級自然保護區的主(zhu)要(yao)保護對象(xiang)為山地森林生態(tai)系統和山地草(cao)原與草(cao)甸生態(tai)系統。
截至2013年(nian)，寧夏南(nan)華(hua)山國(guo)家(jia)(jia)級(ji)自然保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)(qu)共有(you)(you)(you)(you)野(ye)生維管植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu) 426 種(zhong)(zhong)（包括種(zhong)(zhong)以下單(dan)位），隸屬(shu)58科(ke)，203屬(shu)。其(qi)中(zhong)蕨(jue)類植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)2科(ke)2屬(shu)4種(zhong)(zhong)；裸子(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)2科(ke)5屬(shu)6種(zhong)(zhong)；被(bei)子(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)54科(ke)196屬(shu)416種(zhong)(zhong)。保(bao)(bao)護區(qu)(qu)近一半的(de)(de)(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)都有(you)(you)(you)(you)程度(du)不同(tong)、類型(xing)不同(tong)的(de)(de)(de)資(zi)源價值，多(duo)屬(shu)于資(zi)源植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)。其(qi)中(zhong)有(you)(you)(you)(you)藥用(yong)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)60余種(zhong)(zhong)，如黃芪、升(sheng)麻、黨參、天仙子(zi)、補血草(cao)等；有(you)(you)(you)(you)油(you)料植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)十余種(zhong)(zhong)，如山杏、風花菜、虎榛子(zi)等；有(you)(you)(you)(you)飼草(cao)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)20余種(zhong)(zhong)，如大針茅、長芒草(cao)、短花針茅等；有(you)(you)(you)(you)園林綠化與材用(yong)經(jing)濟(ji)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)30余種(zhong)(zhong)，如華(hua)北紫丁(ding)香、毛葉(xie)忍(ren)冬等。南(nan)華(hua)山的(de)(de)(de)野(ye)生植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)中(zhong)還有(you)(you)(you)(you)淀粉植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、纖維植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、單(dan)寧植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、花卉觀賞植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、食用(yong)果菜類、蜜(mi)源植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、芳香植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)等多(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)用(yong)途(tu)的(de)(de)(de)野(ye)生植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)，有(you)(you)(you)(you)的(de)(de)(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)兼具多(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)價值。有(you)(you)(you)(you)國(guo)家(jia)(jia)一級(ji)重點保(bao)(bao)護植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)發(fa)菜，二級(ji)重點保(bao)(bao)護植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)蒙古扁桃、華(hua)北駝絨藜、短芒披堿草(cao)、中(zhong)麻黃。
寧(ning)夏在中國動物(wu)地(di)理區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)劃上(shang)(shang)跨(kua)蒙(meng)(meng)新區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)東部草原亞區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)、西(xi)部荒漠(mo)亞區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)和華北區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)黃(huang)土高(gao)原亞區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)三個(ge)亞區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)。寧(ning)夏南華山國家級自(zi)然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)處在蒙(meng)(meng)新區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)西(xi)部荒漠(mo)亞區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)邊緣。從動物(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系成(cheng)分上(shang)(shang)來(lai)看，蒙(meng)(meng)新區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)成(cheng)分占有優勢，華北區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)與蒙(meng)(meng)新區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)物(wu)種混(hun)雜程(cheng)度大，帶有明顯的(de)(de)過渡特征。?
截至(zhi)2013年(nian)，寧夏南華(hua)山國家級自然保(bao)護區(qu)有脊(ji)椎動物有5綱(gang)(gang)26目57科(ke)126屬173種(zhong)（含116亞種(zhong)）。其中，魚綱(gang)(gang)2目3科(ke)8屬9種(zhong)，兩(liang)棲(qi)綱(gang)(gang)1目2科(ke)2屬3種(zhong)，爬行綱(gang)(gang)2目5科(ke)6屬10種(zhong)（含1亞種(zhong)），鳥綱(gang)(gang)15目33科(ke)80屬115種(zhong)（含80亞種(zhong)），哺(bu)乳綱(gang)(gang)6目14科(ke) 30屬36種(zhong)（含35亞種(zhong)）。以鳥類(lei)(lei)占(zhan)優勢，哺(bu)乳類(lei)(lei)次之，兩(liang)棲(qi)類(lei)(lei)少。
在脊(ji)椎動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)資源中(zhong)，有(you)(you)國(guo)家重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其(qi)中(zhong)屬于(yu)國(guo)家Ⅰ級(ji)重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)為金雕1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，Ⅱ級(ji)重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)21種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其(qi)中(zhong)鳥類Ⅱ級(ji)重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)17種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（有(you)(you)：鳶、蒼鷹(ying)(ying)、雀(que)鷹(ying)(ying)、松雀(que)鷹(ying)(ying)、大天鵝、草原雕、禿鷲、白尾(wei)鷂、獵隼(sun)、燕隼(sun)、紅(hong)腳隼(sun)、紅(hong)隼(sun)、雕鴞(xiao)(xiao)、長(chang)耳鴞(xiao)(xiao)、縱紋腹小鴞(xiao)(xiao)等(deng)），哺乳類Ⅱ級(ji)重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（荒(huang)漠(mo)貓、兔獼(mi)、豹貓、巖羊）。《瀕危野(ye)生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)際貿(mao)易公(gong)約》（CITES）規定的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列入國(guo)際自(zi)然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)聯(lian)盟（IUCN）瀕危物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)等(deng)級(ji)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)24種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列入《中(zhong)國(guo)瀕危動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)紅(hong)皮書》動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)9種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)中(zhong)日保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)候(hou)鳥及其(qi)棲(qi)息環境協定規定的(de)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)鳥類42種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)中(zhong)澳保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)候(hou)鳥及其(qi)棲(qi)息環境協定規定的(de)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)鳥類13種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列入國(guo)家保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)的(de)有(you)(you)益(yi)的(de)或(huo)者(zhe)有(you)(you)重(zhong)要(yao)經(jing)濟、科學(xue)研(yan)究價(jia)值的(de)陸生(sheng)野(ye)生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)65種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，屬于(yu)寧夏重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)35種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
寧夏南華(hua)山國家級自然保護(hu)區(qu)有昆(kun)(kun)蟲(chong)16目(mu)132科(ke)(ke)(ke)530種(zhong)。主要(yao)由鞘翅目(mu)、鱗翅目(mu)、半翅目(mu)、雙翅目(mu)、直翅目(mu)和膜翅目(mu)種(zhong)類(lei)組成，其中(zhong)鞘翅目(mu)34科(ke)(ke)(ke)179種(zhong)、鱗翅目(mu)26科(ke)(ke)(ke)156種(zhong)、半翅目(mu)18科(ke)(ke)(ke)56種(zhong)，6個目(mu)的(de)科(ke)(ke)(ke)數(shu)為(wei)110科(ke)(ke)(ke)、占保護(hu)區(qu)昆(kun)(kun)蟲(chong)總(zong)科(ke)(ke)(ke)數(shu)的(de)83.33%，物種(zhong)數(shu)為(wei)480種(zhong)、占保護(hu)區(qu)昆(kun)(kun)蟲(chong)總(zong)種(zhong)類(lei)數(shu)的(de)90.56%。
寧夏南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山國家級(ji)自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)管(guan)理(li)(li)機(ji)構為南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)管(guan)理(li)(li)處，實行三級(ji)管(guan)理(li)(li)體(ti)制，行政(zheng)(zheng)上直(zhi)屬海原(yuan)縣人(ren)民政(zheng)(zheng)府領導，業(ye)(ye)務接受寧夏林業(ye)(ye)局(ju)和中(zhong)衛市林業(ye)(ye)局(ju)指導。保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)管(guan)理(li)(li)處下設辦公室、科(ke)研中(zhong)心(xin)、計(ji)劃(hua)財(cai)務科(ke)、管(guan)理(li)(li)站(zhan)(zhan)、保(bao)護(hu)(hu)點、檢(jian)查(cha)站(zhan)(zhan)。
寧夏南華山國(guo)家(jia)級自然保護區(qu)功(gong)能(neng)區(qu)劃調整后，原來設立在四橋的管理(li)機(ji)(ji)構(gou)成為核心區(qu)，管理(li)機(ji)(ji)構(gou)搬遷(qian)到縣(xian)城(cheng)，由縣(xian)政府調劑辦公場(chang)地。
截至2013年，寧夏南華(hua)山(shan)國家級自然保護區(qu)有管理站6個、瞭望塔2個、設立解說(shuo)牌2塊，大宣傳牌2塊，小宣傳牌60塊。在(zai)周邊設立固(gu)定標準地(di)60塊。配有少量計算機等辦公設備，及公務車、對講機、GPS、通訊和科研設備等。
巧笑倩兮 
