自20世紀(ji)80年代(dai)中期，南華(hua)山腹地的(de)(de)海原縣水(shui)沖寺(si)、五橋溝、靈光(guang)寺(si)林(lin)場等幾個林(lin)業單位，成為當地林(lin)草植(zhi)被建設的(de)(de)重點(dian)區域。
1993年10月，海(hai)原縣在南華(hua)山成(cheng)立(li)10萬(wan)畝水源涵養林基(ji)地建(jian)設指揮部(bu)。
1997年(nian)，在水源涵(han)養(yang)林基地建設指揮(hui)部的(de)礎上，合并原南華山牧(mu)場(chang)(chang)，成立南華山水源涵(han)養(yang)林總場(chang)(chang)。
2004年(nian)，寧夏回(hui)族自(zi)(zi)治區九屆(jie)人(ren)大(da)(da)二次會議上，部分人(ren)大(da)(da)代表(biao)遞交(jiao)了建立(li)南華(hua)山(shan)自(zi)(zi)然保護(hu)(hu)區的(de)議案，劃定南華(hua)山(shan)為省級自(zi)(zi)然保護(hu)(hu)區，2004年(nian)底，寧夏回(hui)族自(zi)(zi)治區人(ren)民政府(fu)批準成立(li)海原縣南華(hua)山(shan)區級自(zi)(zi)然保護(hu)(hu)區。 ?
2014年12月5日，經國務(wu)院辦公廳批準，晉升為國家級(ji)自然(ran)保護區。
寧夏南(nan)華山國家級自然(ran)保護區(qu)(qu)位于寧夏回族自治區(qu)(qu)中(zhong)部(bu)的中(zhong)衛市海原縣，分布(bu)于縣域中(zhong)心部(bu)位。
南華(hua)山(shan)所屬區域大(da)地構(gou)造(zao)屬于較活(huo)動的(de)秦(qin)祁(qi)(qi)昆地槽褶皺系“北(bei)祁(qi)(qi)連(lian)(lian)褶皺系的(de)北(bei)祁(qi)(qi)連(lian)(lian)走廊(lang)過渡帶”，按板塊構(gou)造(zao)觀點，本(ben)區域所屬大(da)地構(gou)造(zao)位(wei)置(zhi)位(wei)于秦(qin)嶺(ling)—祁(qi)(qi)連(lian)(lian)活(huo)動帶祁(qi)(qi)連(lian)(lian)—北(bei)秦(qin)嶺(ling)褶皺系的(de)北(bei)祁(qi)(qi)連(lian)(lian)加里東褶皺帶南華(hua)山(shan)斷褶帶。
南華山(shan)出露地層由老(lao)到新(xin)(xin)(xin)包括中(zhong)元古(gu)界(jie)長城系(xi)(xi)南華山(shan)群(qun)（Chnh）、薊(ji)縣系(xi)(xi)園河群(qun)（Jxyh）、下(xia)古(gu)生(sheng)界(jie)志留(liu)系(xi)(xi)上統(tong)(tong)旱峽(xia)組(zu)（S3h）、上古(gu)生(sheng)界(jie)泥盆系(xi)(xi)中(zhong)統(tong)(tong)石峽(xia)溝(gou)組(zu)（D2s）和石炭系(xi)(xi)中(zhong)統(tong)(tong)羊虎溝(gou)組(zu)（C2y）、中(zhong)生(sheng)界(jie)白堊系(xi)(xi)下(xia)統(tong)(tong)六盤山(shan)群(qun)（K1l）、新(xin)(xin)(xin)生(sheng)界(jie)古(gu)近系(xi)(xi)始新(xin)(xin)(xin)統(tong)(tong)寺(si)口子組(zu)（E2s）和漸新(xin)(xin)(xin)統(tong)(tong)清(qing)水營組(zu)（E2q）、新(xin)(xin)(xin)生(sheng)界(jie)新(xin)(xin)(xin)近系(xi)(xi)中(zhong)新(xin)(xin)(xin)統(tong)(tong)紅柳溝(gou)組(zu)（N1h）和第四(si)系(xi)(xi)沖、洪積物及黃(huang)土沉積。
南(nan)華(hua)山地(di)區出(chu)露了(le)早古(gu)生(sheng)代中酸(suan)性巖(yan)(yan)漿(jiang)巖(yan)(yan)，分(fen)布(bu)在山體西(xi)北、北東側(ce)和西(xi)側(ce)。南(nan)華(hua)山地(di)區出(chu)露的花崗閃(shan)長巖(yan)(yan)體，受南(nan)西(xi)華(hua)山深大斷(duan)裂(lie)控(kong)制，呈北西(xi)-南(nan)東向展布(bu)，構成巖(yan)(yan)漿(jiang)巖(yan)(yan)帶(dai)。分(fen)別沿南(nan)華(hua)山南(nan)、北斷(duan)裂(lie)帶(dai)侵(qin)入(ru)于元古(gu)界地(di)層(ceng)中，呈巖(yan)(yan)株、巖(yan)(yan)瘤(liu)狀產出(chu)，屬(shu)淺成侵(qin)入(ru)體。
南華(hua)山(shan)地(di)區(qu)位于寧夏(xia)南部向北東突出的弧形(xing)構造(zao)體系之中，屬于該體系年代新，晚新生代以來持續上升，構成西華(hua)山(shan)—南華(hua)山(shan)弧形(xing)構造(zao)山(shan)地(di)。
南華山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)(di)區(qu)出露(lu)老的(de)地(di)(di)(di)(di)層(ceng)為中元(yuan)(yuan)古界長城系(xi)(xi)南華山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)群（Chnh），為一套(tao)綠片(pian)巖(yan)-云母片(pian)巖(yan)-大理巖(yan)巖(yan)石組(zu)合，原(yuan)巖(yan)為海底火(huo)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)巖(yan)和(he)優地(di)(di)(di)(di)槽型海相(xiang)沉(chen)積(ji)(ji)(ji)，表明在(zai)中元(yuan)(yuan)古代(dai)(dai)(dai)早(zao)期(qi)發(fa)(fa)生強烈(lie)的(de)拉(la)張和(he)裂陷(xian)(xian)，中元(yuan)(yuan)古代(dai)(dai)(dai)末(mo)期(qi)，在(zai)五臺運(yun)動作用(yong)下，轉變為擠壓(ya)體(ti)系(xi)(xi)，經(jing)過北祁(qi)連洋殼向南側西寧—蘭(lan)州微板(ban)塊(kuai)下俯沖，海槽封(feng)閉，褶皺隆起。早(zao)古生代(dai)(dai)(dai)再(zai)度強烈(lie)拗陷(xian)(xian)，早(zao)古生代(dai)(dai)(dai)后(hou)期(qi)強烈(lie)的(de)加里東(dong)運(yun)動使北祁(qi)連海槽前(qian)寒武紀地(di)(di)(di)(di)層(ceng)褶皺抬升，并伴(ban)有中酸性巖(yan)漿巖(yan)體(ti)侵入。經(jing)剝蝕后(hou)，在(zai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)前(qian)低地(di)(di)(di)(di)堆積(ji)(ji)(ji)了(le)(le)泥盆(pen)(pen)系(xi)(xi)陸相(xiang)紅色碎(sui)屑巖(yan)，經(jing)過夷平和(he)沉(chen)降(jiang)又(you)接受了(le)(le)石炭系(xi)(xi)的(de)深(shen)灰色泥巖(yan)夾砂巖(yan)和(he)薄(bo)煤層(ceng)沉(chen)積(ji)(ji)(ji)。二疊紀早(zao)期(qi)本區(qu)基本上脫離了(le)(le)海洋環境(jing)發(fa)(fa)育陸相(xiang)沉(chen)積(ji)(ji)(ji)。印支(zhi)、燕山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)運(yun)動使該地(di)(di)(di)(di)區(qu)多次發(fa)(fa)生褶皺與(yu)(yu)沖斷，進而控制了(le)(le)中、新生代(dai)(dai)(dai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)間斷陷(xian)(xian)盆(pen)(pen)地(di)(di)(di)(di)的(de)發(fa)(fa)生與(yu)(yu)發(fa)(fa)展。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)體(ti)進一步抬升，在(zai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)前(qian)前(qian)緣盆(pen)(pen)地(di)(di)(di)(di)內發(fa)(fa)育了(le)(le)白堊紀和(he)第三(san)紀沉(chen)積(ji)(ji)(ji)。?
南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)是寧(ning)夏南部六盤山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、月亮山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)、西(xi)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)弧形(xing)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地的一部分，為侵蝕構造中山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地地貌(mao)。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)體呈(cheng)西(xi)北—東南走向(xiang)，山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)體內(nei)部沖溝(gou)切(qie)割強烈，斷層巖壁較為發育；溝(gou)系(xi)呈(cheng)放射狀(zhuang)，羽狀(zhuang)展布；山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)脊呈(cheng)尖棱狀(zhuang)、魚脊狀(zhuang)、齒(chi)狀(zhuang)，有(you)的經(jing)風化剝蝕成渾(hun)圓狀(zhuang)。高峰馬萬山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)2954.6米，平均海拔2600米左(zuo)右，溝(gou)口(kou)海拔一般北麓2000米，南麓2200米，相對高差700～900米左(zuo)右。
南華(hua)(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)(di)區地(di)(di)(di)(di)貌形(xing)(xing)成與演化明顯受地(di)(di)(di)(di)質構造(zao)和巖層控制(zhi)。南華(hua)(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)—西華(hua)(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)深(shen)大(da)斷裂(lie)從元(yuan)古(gu)代開(kai)始一直(zhi)影響本區的構造(zao)和沉積(ji)。南華(hua)(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)體自二疊紀(ji)(ji)早期(qi)(qi)脫離了(le)(le)海洋環境后，長(chang)時(shi)(shi)期(qi)(qi)處于隆升(sheng)(sheng)剝蝕狀態，只是在山(shan)(shan)(shan)前前緣盆地(di)(di)(di)(di)內發(fa)(fa)育了(le)(le)白(bai)堊紀(ji)(ji)和第三(san)紀(ji)(ji)沉積(ji)。中(zhong)新世(shi)時(shi)(shi)，曾先后發(fa)(fa)生過(guo)兩次構造(zao)變(bian)形(xing)(xing)，造(zao)成了(le)(le)山(shan)(shan)(shan)體隆升(sheng)(sheng)和紅柳溝組(zu)與清水營組(zu)之間的角(jiao)度不整合。上新世(shi)末期(qi)(qi)—更新世(shi)以來新構造(zao)運動(dong)活躍，構造(zao)變(bian)形(xing)(xing)在本區較中(zhong)新世(shi)兩次構造(zao)變(bian)形(xing)(xing)更加強(qiang)烈(lie)，南、西華(hua)(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)北麓斷裂(lie)強(qiang)烈(lie)活動(dong)，山(shan)(shan)(shan)體進(jin)一步隆升(sheng)(sheng)，盆地(di)(di)(di)(di)進(jin)一步斷陷(xian)，第四紀(ji)(ji)地(di)(di)(di)(di)層被錯(cuo)斷，形(xing)(xing)成山(shan)(shan)(shan)邊(bian)斷陷(xian)，引起水系、山(shan)(shan)(shan)脊和階地(di)(di)(di)(di)的變(bian)化。
寧夏南華山(shan)國(guo)家(jia)級自然保護區屬北溫帶(dai)大陸性季(ji)風氣(qi)候，氣(qi)溫由山(shan)麓向山(shan)頂逐漸(jian)降(jiang)(jiang)低。南華山(shan)冷月(yue)(yue)(yue)在1月(yue)(yue)(yue)份，月(yue)(yue)(yue)平均氣(qi)溫為-9.8℃，熱月(yue)(yue)(yue)在7月(yue)(yue)(yue)，月(yue)(yue)(yue)平均氣(qi)溫為10.9℃，全年(nian)平均氣(qi)溫為0.8℃，年(nian)較差 20.7℃。平均年(nian)降(jiang)(jiang)雨量為 495.5毫米，降(jiang)(jiang)雨主要(yao)分布在植(zhi)物(wu)生長季(ji)的5～9月(yue)(yue)(yue)份，占(zhan)全年(nian)降(jiang)(jiang)雨量的77.15%。
寧夏南(nan)華山國家級自然(ran)保(bao)護區(qu)水(shui)文特點是山間(jian)河谷及山洪溝(gou)較(jiao)多，但地(di)表徑流(liu)(liu)(liu)不大(da)，多為間(jian)歇河，季節性變(bian)化(hua)大(da)，遇到暴雨即發洪水(shui)，雨后基本(ben)干涸(he)，部分降水(shui)滲入(ru)地(di)下(xia)，以泉水(shui)的(de)形式(shi)溢出；地(di)下(xia)水(shui)受地(di)質構(gou)造的(de)影響(xiang)，而大(da)氣降水(shui)是地(di)下(xia)水(shui)的(de)重要補給來源(yuan)。南(nan)華山山體內部沖溝(gou)切割(ge)強烈，溝(gou)谷水(shui)系呈(cheng)放射狀、羽狀展布(bu)，分別屬于清水(shui)河水(shui)系二級流(liu)(liu)(liu)域(yu)的(de)西河流(liu)(liu)(liu)域(yu)和莧(xian)麻河流(liu)(liu)(liu)域(yu)。南(nan)華山有大(da)小沖溝(gou)約(yue)35條，分別匯入(ru)西河、莧(xian)麻河。
寧夏南華山(shan)國家(jia)級自然保護區內林草(cao)茂密，植被覆蓋度高(gao)，有利(li)于涵養水源，降水滲入地(di)下，在山(shan)麓以泉眼的(de)形成溢出地(di)表，是周(zhou)圍鄉(xiang)（鎮）人畜飲水的(de)重要水源。
寧夏南華(hua)山國家級自然保(bao)護區(qu)由于不同的(de)海拔(ba)高度(du)，陰坡和陽(yang)坡，所接受的(de)陽(yang)光不同、降水(shui)和相對濕(shi)度(du)的(de)不同、植被類型的(de)不同，形成以垂直地帶性(xing)土壤(rang)灰褐土和山麓(lu)為基帶土壤(rang)黑壚(lu)土為主的(de)土類。
灰(hui)褐土(tu)一(yi)般分布(bu)在海(hai)拔2000～2955米之間(jian)，其(qi)下(xia)部(bu)與(yu)水平(ping)地帶性土(tu)壤黑壚土(tu)銜接，成土(tu)母質為紅色(se)、紫紅色(se)和雜色(se)砂巖、灰(hui)綠色(se)云母片巖的風化物，土(tu)壤有機質含量高，黑色(se)腐殖質層(ceng)(ceng)較(jiao)厚，有輕度淋溶(rong)現(xian)象發生(sheng)，剖面(mian)中(zhong)(zhong)下(xia)部(bu)質地較(jiao)表(biao)層(ceng)(ceng)土(tu)黏(nian)，有石(shi)灰(hui)淀積。分為暗灰(hui)褐土(tu)：主要分布(bu)在海(hai)拔2600米以上的山(shan)脊(ji)和陰坡中(zhong)(zhong)上部(bu)比較(jiao)平(ping)緩處；石(shi)灰(hui)性灰(hui)褐土(tu)：大(da)部(bu)分位于海(hai)拔2600米以下(xia)的陰坡及山(shan)谷兩旁。
黑壚土(tu)類(lei)是(shi)南華山的(de)(de)基帶土(tu)壤(rang)，一般(ban)分(fen)布在海拔2000米以下的(de)(de)山麓或(huo)低山丘(qiu)陵區，成土(tu)母質(zhi)多為(wei)第四紀黃土(tu)。顯(xian)著(zhu)的(de)(de)特征是(shi)剖面中有比(bi)較深厚(hou)、暗(an)灰色的(de)(de)有機質(zhi)層(ceng)和明顯(xian)的(de)(de)石灰質(zhi)假菌絲體，整個剖面質(zhi)地比(bi)較均一，土(tu)壤(rang)比(bi)較肥沃。
寧夏南華山國(guo)家級自然保(bao)護區(qu)地域范圍分別與(yu)海(hai)城鎮、史店(dian)鄉、曹(cao)洼鄉、紅羊鄉、樹臺鄉和西安鎮接壤。其地理坐(zuo)標為東經105°31′-105°44′，北(bei)緯36°20′-36°33′，呈西北(bei)-東南走向，南北(bei)寬(kuan)19.2千(qian)米，東西長26.4千(qian)米，總面積20100.5公頃。
按照(zhao)自然(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)功(gong)能區(qu)劃(hua)要求，寧夏南華山國家級(ji)自然(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)被區(qu)劃(hua)為實(shi)(shi)驗區(qu)、緩沖區(qu)和核心區(qu)三個(ge)功(gong)能區(qu)。其中(zhong)，核心區(qu)6182.1公頃，緩沖區(qu)5235.3公頃，實(shi)(shi)驗區(qu)8683.1公頃。東(dong)南以(yi)(yi)亂堆子(zi)、洼(wa)里、老虎崾峴、柳樹(shu)灣(wan)、莧麻灣(wan)、石塘(tang)為界(jie)(jie)，西部以(yi)(yi)種田(tian)溝、水(shui)擔溝，新莊子(zi)、崾峴、陽屲(wa)、王坡、龔灣(wan)為界(jie)(jie)，北(bei)部以(yi)(yi)菜園、野狐坡、刺兒溝、小山、山門、蘆(lu)子(zi)溝、油房院為界(jie)(jie)。四至界(jie)(jie)限以(yi)(yi)標(biao)牌、宣傳欄、巡護(hu)道路及鐵絲圍欄為明(ming)顯標(biao)志(zhi)。
寧夏南華山(shan)國家級自然保護區的(de)主要保護對象為(wei)山(shan)地森(sen)林生態系(xi)統和山(shan)地草(cao)原與草(cao)甸生態系(xi)統。
截(jie)至2013年，寧(ning)夏南(nan)華山國(guo)(guo)家(jia)級自然保(bao)護(hu)區共有(you)野(ye)(ye)生維管植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu) 426 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（包(bao)括種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)以下單(dan)位），隸屬(shu)(shu)(shu)58科(ke)，203屬(shu)(shu)(shu)。其中(zhong)(zhong)蕨類植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)2科(ke)2屬(shu)(shu)(shu)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)；裸子(zi)(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)2科(ke)5屬(shu)(shu)(shu)6種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)；被子(zi)(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)54科(ke)196屬(shu)(shu)(shu)416種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。保(bao)護(hu)區近(jin)一半的植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)都有(you)程度(du)不同、類型不同的資源(yuan)(yuan)價(jia)值，多屬(shu)(shu)(shu)于資源(yuan)(yuan)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)。其中(zhong)(zhong)有(you)藥用(yong)(yong)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)60余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如黃芪、升麻、黨參、天仙子(zi)(zi)、補血(xue)草(cao)等(deng)；有(you)油料植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)十余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如山杏、風(feng)花菜(cai)(cai)、虎榛子(zi)(zi)等(deng)；有(you)飼草(cao)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)20余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如大(da)針(zhen)(zhen)茅(mao)、長芒(mang)草(cao)、短(duan)花針(zhen)(zhen)茅(mao)等(deng)；有(you)園林綠(lv)化與材用(yong)(yong)經濟植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)30余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如華北紫丁香、毛葉忍冬等(deng)。南(nan)華山的野(ye)(ye)生植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)中(zhong)(zhong)還有(you)淀粉植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)、纖維植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)、單(dan)寧(ning)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)、花卉觀賞植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)、食用(yong)(yong)果(guo)菜(cai)(cai)類、蜜(mi)源(yuan)(yuan)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)、芳香植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)等(deng)多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)用(yong)(yong)途的野(ye)(ye)生植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)，有(you)的植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)兼具多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)價(jia)值。有(you)國(guo)(guo)家(jia)一級重(zhong)(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)發菜(cai)(cai)，二級重(zhong)(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)蒙(meng)古(gu)扁桃(tao)、華北駝絨藜、短(duan)芒(mang)披堿草(cao)、中(zhong)(zhong)麻黃。
寧夏在中國動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)地理(li)區(qu)(qu)(qu)劃上跨蒙新區(qu)(qu)(qu)的東部(bu)草原亞(ya)區(qu)(qu)(qu)、西(xi)部(bu)荒(huang)漠亞(ya)區(qu)(qu)(qu)和華(hua)北區(qu)(qu)(qu)的黃土高原亞(ya)區(qu)(qu)(qu)三個亞(ya)區(qu)(qu)(qu)。寧夏南華(hua)山國家(jia)級(ji)自然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)處在蒙新區(qu)(qu)(qu)的西(xi)部(bu)荒(huang)漠亞(ya)區(qu)(qu)(qu)邊緣。從動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)系成分上來(lai)看，蒙新區(qu)(qu)(qu)成分占有優勢，華(hua)北區(qu)(qu)(qu)與蒙新區(qu)(qu)(qu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種混雜程度大，帶有明顯的過渡(du)特征。?
截(jie)至(zhi)2013年，寧夏(xia)南華山國(guo)家級(ji)自然(ran)保護區有脊椎動物有5綱(gang)26目57科(ke)126屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)173種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)116亞種(zhong)(zhong)）。其中，魚綱(gang)2目3科(ke)8屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)9種(zhong)(zhong)，兩棲綱(gang)1目2科(ke)2屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)3種(zhong)(zhong)，爬行綱(gang)2目5科(ke)6屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)10種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)1亞種(zhong)(zhong)），鳥綱(gang)15目33科(ke)80屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)115種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)80亞種(zhong)(zhong)），哺乳綱(gang)6目14科(ke) 30屬(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)36種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)35亞種(zhong)(zhong)）。以鳥類(lei)(lei)占優勢，哺乳類(lei)(lei)次之，兩棲類(lei)(lei)少。
在脊椎動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)資源中(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)(you)國家重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)屬于國家Ⅰ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)為金雕(diao)1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)21種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其(qi)中(zhong)(zhong)鳥(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)17種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（有(you)(you)(you)：鳶、蒼鷹、雀(que)鷹、松雀(que)鷹、大天鵝、草原雕(diao)、禿鷲、白尾鷂、獵(lie)隼、燕隼、紅(hong)腳隼、紅(hong)隼、雕(diao)鴞(xiao)(xiao)、長耳鴞(xiao)(xiao)、縱(zong)紋(wen)腹小(xiao)鴞(xiao)(xiao)等(deng)），哺(bu)乳類(lei)(lei)Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（荒漠貓、兔(tu)獼、豹貓、巖羊）。《瀕危野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)植物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國際(ji)貿易(yi)公約》（CITES）規定(ding)(ding)的種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入(ru)(ru)國際(ji)自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)聯盟(meng)（IUCN）瀕危物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)等(deng)級動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)名錄(lu)(lu)的有(you)(you)(you)24種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入(ru)(ru)《中(zhong)(zhong)國瀕危動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)紅(hong)皮書》動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)名錄(lu)(lu)的有(you)(you)(you)9種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)(you)中(zhong)(zhong)日保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)候鳥(niao)(niao)及(ji)(ji)其(qi)棲(qi)息(xi)環(huan)境(jing)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)規定(ding)(ding)的保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)鳥(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)42種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)(you)中(zhong)(zhong)澳保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)候鳥(niao)(niao)及(ji)(ji)其(qi)棲(qi)息(xi)環(huan)境(jing)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)規定(ding)(ding)的保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)鳥(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)13種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入(ru)(ru)國家保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)的有(you)(you)(you)益的或者有(you)(you)(you)重(zhong)(zhong)要經濟、科學研究價值的陸生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)名錄(lu)(lu)的有(you)(you)(you)65種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，屬于寧夏重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)(you)35種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
寧夏南(nan)華(hua)山國家級(ji)自然保護區(qu)有昆(kun)蟲(chong)(chong)16目(mu)(mu)(mu)132科530種(zhong)(zhong)。主要由鞘翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)、鱗翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)、半(ban)翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)、雙翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)、直翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)和膜翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)種(zhong)(zhong)類組成，其中鞘翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)34科179種(zhong)(zhong)、鱗翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)26科156種(zhong)(zhong)、半(ban)翅(chi)目(mu)(mu)(mu)18科56種(zhong)(zhong)，6個目(mu)(mu)(mu)的科數為110科、占(zhan)保護區(qu)昆(kun)蟲(chong)(chong)總科數的83.33%，物種(zhong)(zhong)數為480種(zhong)(zhong)、占(zhan)保護區(qu)昆(kun)蟲(chong)(chong)總種(zhong)(zhong)類數的90.56%。
寧夏南(nan)華山國家級(ji)自然保護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)理機構(gou)為南(nan)華山自然保護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)理處，實行(xing)(xing)三(san)級(ji)管(guan)理體制，行(xing)(xing)政(zheng)上直屬海原(yuan)縣人民政(zheng)府領(ling)導，業(ye)務(wu)接受寧夏林業(ye)局(ju)和中(zhong)衛市林業(ye)局(ju)指導。保護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)理處下設辦公室、科研中(zhong)心、計劃財務(wu)科、管(guan)理站、保護(hu)點、檢查站。
寧夏南(nan)華山國家級自然(ran)保護區功能(neng)區劃調整后，原來設(she)立(li)在四橋的管(guan)理機構成為(wei)核心(xin)區，管(guan)理機構搬遷到縣(xian)城(cheng)，由(you)縣(xian)政府調劑(ji)辦公場地。
截至2013年，寧夏南華(hua)山國家級(ji)自然(ran)保(bao)護區有管理站6個、瞭望塔2個、設(she)立解(jie)說(shuo)牌(pai)2塊，大宣傳(chuan)牌(pai)2塊，小(xiao)宣傳(chuan)牌(pai)60塊。在周邊(bian)設(she)立固(gu)定標準地60塊。配有少(shao)量計算機等(deng)辦公(gong)(gong)設(she)備(bei)，及(ji)公(gong)(gong)務(wu)車、對講機、GPS、通訊和(he)科研設(she)備(bei)等(deng)。
巧笑倩兮 
