自20世紀80年代中期，南華山腹(fu)地的(de)(de)海原縣水(shui)沖寺、五橋溝、靈光寺林(lin)場(chang)等幾個林(lin)業(ye)單位，成為當(dang)地林(lin)草植被建(jian)設的(de)(de)重點區域。
1993年10月，海原縣(xian)在南華山成立(li)10萬畝水源涵養(yang)林基地建設指揮部。
1997年，在水源涵養林(lin)基地建設指(zhi)揮(hui)部(bu)的(de)礎上，合并原(yuan)南華(hua)山(shan)牧場，成(cheng)立南華(hua)山(shan)水源涵養林(lin)總場。
2004年，寧(ning)夏回(hui)族自(zi)治(zhi)區(qu)(qu)(qu)九屆(jie)人(ren)大二次會議(yi)上，部(bu)分人(ren)大代表遞交了(le)建立(li)南華(hua)(hua)山自(zi)然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)的議(yi)案(an)，劃定南華(hua)(hua)山為省級自(zi)然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)，2004年底，寧(ning)夏回(hui)族自(zi)治(zhi)區(qu)(qu)(qu)人(ren)民政府批準成立(li)海原縣南華(hua)(hua)山區(qu)(qu)(qu)級自(zi)然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)。 ?
2014年12月5日，經國務院辦公廳批準，晉升為國家級(ji)自然保護區。
寧夏(xia)南華山國家級自(zi)然保護(hu)區位于寧夏(xia)回族(zu)自(zi)治區中(zhong)部的(de)中(zhong)衛市海原縣，分布于縣域中(zhong)心部位。
南(nan)華(hua)山所(suo)屬區(qu)域大地(di)構(gou)造屬于較(jiao)活動的秦(qin)祁昆地(di)槽褶(zhe)皺系(xi)“北祁連(lian)褶(zhe)皺系(xi)的北祁連(lian)走廊過(guo)渡帶”，按板塊構(gou)造觀點，本區(qu)域所(suo)屬大地(di)構(gou)造位置位于秦(qin)嶺—祁連(lian)活動帶祁連(lian)—北秦(qin)嶺褶(zhe)皺系(xi)的北祁連(lian)加里東褶(zhe)皺帶南(nan)華(hua)山斷褶(zhe)帶。
南華山(shan)出露地(di)層(ceng)由老到新包括中元(yuan)古界長(chang)城(cheng)系(xi)南華山(shan)群（Chnh）、薊縣(xian)系(xi)園河群（Jxyh）、下古生(sheng)界志留系(xi)上統旱峽組(zu)（S3h）、上古生(sheng)界泥盆系(xi)中統石(shi)峽溝組(zu)（D2s）和(he)石(shi)炭系(xi)中統羊虎溝組(zu)（C2y）、中生(sheng)界白堊系(xi)下統六盤(pan)山(shan)群（K1l）、新生(sheng)界古近系(xi)始(shi)新統寺口子組(zu)（E2s）和(he)漸新統清水營組(zu)（E2q）、新生(sheng)界新近系(xi)中新統紅柳溝組(zu)（N1h）和(he)第四系(xi)沖、洪積物及黃土沉積。
南(nan)華山(shan)地(di)區出(chu)露(lu)了早古(gu)生代中(zhong)酸性(xing)巖(yan)(yan)漿巖(yan)(yan)，分(fen)布在山(shan)體(ti)西北、北東側和西側。南(nan)華山(shan)地(di)區出(chu)露(lu)的(de)花崗閃長(chang)巖(yan)(yan)體(ti)，受南(nan)西華山(shan)深大斷(duan)(duan)裂控(kong)制，呈(cheng)北西-南(nan)東向展布，構成(cheng)巖(yan)(yan)漿巖(yan)(yan)帶。分(fen)別沿(yan)南(nan)華山(shan)南(nan)、北斷(duan)(duan)裂帶侵入于元古(gu)界地(di)層中(zhong)，呈(cheng)巖(yan)(yan)株(zhu)、巖(yan)(yan)瘤狀產出(chu)，屬淺成(cheng)侵入體(ti)。
南華山(shan)地(di)區位于寧夏南部向北東(dong)突出(chu)的弧形構(gou)造體系之中，屬(shu)于該體系年代(dai)新(xin)，晚新(xin)生代(dai)以來持續(xu)上升，構(gou)成西華山(shan)—南華山(shan)弧形構(gou)造山(shan)地(di)。
南華山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)區(qu)出露(lu)老的(de)地(di)層(ceng)為(wei)中元(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)界長城系南華山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)群（Chnh），為(wei)一(yi)套(tao)綠片巖(yan)(yan)(yan)-云母(mu)片巖(yan)(yan)(yan)-大理巖(yan)(yan)(yan)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)石(shi)組合，原巖(yan)(yan)(yan)為(wei)海底火(huo)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)和(he)(he)優(you)地(di)槽型海相沉積，表明在(zai)(zai)中元(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)代(dai)(dai)早期(qi)發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)強(qiang)烈的(de)拉張(zhang)和(he)(he)裂陷(xian)，中元(yuan)古(gu)(gu)(gu)代(dai)(dai)末期(qi)，在(zai)(zai)五臺運(yun)動(dong)作用下(xia)，轉(zhuan)變為(wei)擠(ji)壓體(ti)系，經(jing)過北(bei)祁連洋殼向南側(ce)西(xi)寧(ning)—蘭州微板塊下(xia)俯(fu)沖(chong)，海槽封閉，褶(zhe)皺隆起(qi)。早古(gu)(gu)(gu)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)(dai)再度強(qiang)烈拗陷(xian)，早古(gu)(gu)(gu)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)(dai)后(hou)期(qi)強(qiang)烈的(de)加里東運(yun)動(dong)使北(bei)祁連海槽前寒(han)武紀地(di)層(ceng)褶(zhe)皺抬(tai)升，并伴(ban)有(you)中酸性(xing)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)漿巖(yan)(yan)(yan)體(ti)侵入。經(jing)剝(bo)蝕后(hou)，在(zai)(zai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)前低地(di)堆(dui)積了(le)(le)泥(ni)盆(pen)系陸(lu)相紅(hong)色碎屑巖(yan)(yan)(yan)，經(jing)過夷平和(he)(he)沉降又(you)接受了(le)(le)石(shi)炭系的(de)深(shen)灰(hui)色泥(ni)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)夾砂巖(yan)(yan)(yan)和(he)(he)薄煤(mei)層(ceng)沉積。二疊紀早期(qi)本區(qu)基本上脫離了(le)(le)海洋環境發(fa)育(yu)陸(lu)相沉積。印(yin)支、燕山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)運(yun)動(dong)使該地(di)區(qu)多次發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)褶(zhe)皺與沖(chong)斷，進而控制(zhi)了(le)(le)中、新生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)代(dai)(dai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)間(jian)斷陷(xian)盆(pen)地(di)的(de)發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)與發(fa)展。山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)體(ti)進一(yi)步抬(tai)升，在(zai)(zai)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)前前緣(yuan)盆(pen)地(di)內發(fa)育(yu)了(le)(le)白(bai)堊紀和(he)(he)第三紀沉積。?
南(nan)華(hua)山是(shi)寧夏南(nan)部六盤山、月亮山、南(nan)華(hua)山、西(xi)華(hua)山弧形山地(di)的一部分，為侵蝕構造中山山地(di)地(di)貌(mao)。山體(ti)呈西(xi)北(bei)—東南(nan)走向，山體(ti)內部沖溝切割強烈，斷層巖壁較為發(fa)育；溝系呈放射(she)狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)，羽狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)展布；山脊呈尖棱狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)、魚脊狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)、齒狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)，有的經風化剝(bo)蝕成渾圓狀(zhuang)(zhuang)(zhuang)。高(gao)峰馬萬山2954.6米(mi)，平(ping)均海(hai)拔(ba)2600米(mi)左右(you)，溝口海(hai)拔(ba)一般北(bei)麓2000米(mi)，南(nan)麓2200米(mi)，相對高(gao)差(cha)700～900米(mi)左右(you)。
南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)地(di)區(qu)地(di)貌形(xing)成與演化明顯受地(di)質構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)和(he)(he)巖層(ceng)控(kong)制(zhi)。南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)—西(xi)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)深大斷(duan)裂從元(yuan)古代開始一(yi)直(zhi)影(ying)響本區(qu)的構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)和(he)(he)沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)。南華(hua)山(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)體(ti)自二疊紀(ji)(ji)早期脫離了(le)海洋環境后，長時期處于隆升(sheng)剝蝕狀(zhuang)態，只是在山(shan)(shan)前前緣盆(pen)地(di)內發育了(le)白堊紀(ji)(ji)和(he)(he)第(di)(di)三紀(ji)(ji)沉(chen)(chen)積(ji)。中新世(shi)時，曾先后發生過(guo)兩次構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)變(bian)形(xing)，造(zao)(zao)成了(le)山(shan)(shan)體(ti)隆升(sheng)和(he)(he)紅柳溝(gou)組與清(qing)水營組之間的角度不整合。上新世(shi)末期—更(geng)新世(shi)以(yi)來新構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)運動活(huo)躍，構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)變(bian)形(xing)在本區(qu)較中新世(shi)兩次構(gou)(gou)(gou)(gou)造(zao)(zao)變(bian)形(xing)更(geng)加強烈，南、西(xi)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)北麓斷(duan)裂強烈活(huo)動，山(shan)(shan)體(ti)進(jin)一(yi)步隆升(sheng)，盆(pen)地(di)進(jin)一(yi)步斷(duan)陷，第(di)(di)四紀(ji)(ji)地(di)層(ceng)被(bei)錯(cuo)斷(duan)，形(xing)成山(shan)(shan)邊(bian)斷(duan)陷，引起(qi)水系、山(shan)(shan)脊(ji)和(he)(he)階地(di)的變(bian)化。
寧夏南華山(shan)國家級自然保(bao)護區屬(shu)北溫(wen)帶大陸性季風氣候，氣溫(wen)由山(shan)麓向山(shan)頂(ding)逐漸降(jiang)低。南華山(shan)冷(leng)月在1月份(fen)(fen)，月平(ping)均(jun)(jun)(jun)氣溫(wen)為(wei)-9.8℃，熱月在7月，月平(ping)均(jun)(jun)(jun)氣溫(wen)為(wei)10.9℃，全年平(ping)均(jun)(jun)(jun)氣溫(wen)為(wei)0.8℃，年較(jiao)差 20.7℃。平(ping)均(jun)(jun)(jun)年降(jiang)雨量為(wei) 495.5毫米，降(jiang)雨主要(yao)分(fen)布在植物生長(chang)季的5～9月份(fen)(fen)，占全年降(jiang)雨量的77.15%。
寧夏南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)國家(jia)級(ji)自然保護區(qu)水(shui)文特(te)點是山(shan)(shan)(shan)間(jian)河谷(gu)及山(shan)(shan)(shan)洪溝(gou)較多，但地(di)表徑流(liu)不大(da)，多為(wei)間(jian)歇河，季節(jie)性變化大(da)，遇到暴雨即發洪水(shui)，雨后基本(ben)干涸，部(bu)分降水(shui)滲入(ru)地(di)下(xia)，以泉水(shui)的(de)形式溢出；地(di)下(xia)水(shui)受地(di)質構造的(de)影響，而大(da)氣(qi)降水(shui)是地(di)下(xia)水(shui)的(de)重要補給(gei)來源(yuan)。南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)體(ti)內部(bu)沖溝(gou)切割強烈，溝(gou)谷(gu)水(shui)系呈放射狀(zhuang)、羽狀(zhuang)展(zhan)布，分別(bie)屬(shu)于(yu)清水(shui)河水(shui)系二級(ji)流(liu)域的(de)西河流(liu)域和(he)莧(xian)麻河流(liu)域。南(nan)華(hua)山(shan)(shan)(shan)有大(da)小沖溝(gou)約35條，分別(bie)匯入(ru)西河、莧(xian)麻河。
寧夏南華山國(guo)家級自然保護區內林草茂密，植被覆蓋度高，有利(li)于涵養水(shui)(shui)源，降水(shui)(shui)滲入地下(xia)，在(zai)山麓(lu)以泉眼的形成溢出(chu)地表，是(shi)周(zhou)圍鄉（鎮(zhen)）人畜(chu)飲(yin)水(shui)(shui)的重要(yao)水(shui)(shui)源。
寧夏南華山國(guo)家級自然保護區由于不同(tong)(tong)的海(hai)拔(ba)高度，陰坡和陽坡，所接受的陽光不同(tong)(tong)、降水和相對(dui)濕(shi)度的不同(tong)(tong)、植被類(lei)型的不同(tong)(tong)，形成(cheng)以垂直地帶性土壤灰(hui)褐土和山麓為基(ji)帶土壤黑壚(lu)土為主的土類(lei)。
灰褐土一般分(fen)布在(zai)海拔2000～2955米(mi)之間，其下部(bu)與水平地帶性(xing)土壤黑壚土銜(xian)接，成土母質(zhi)(zhi)為紅(hong)色(se)、紫紅(hong)色(se)和(he)雜色(se)砂(sha)巖、灰綠(lv)色(se)云母片巖的(de)風化物，土壤有(you)(you)機質(zhi)(zhi)含量高，黑色(se)腐殖質(zhi)(zhi)層較厚，有(you)(you)輕(qing)度淋(lin)溶現象發生，剖面中下部(bu)質(zhi)(zhi)地較表層土黏(nian)，有(you)(you)石(shi)灰淀積(ji)。分(fen)為暗灰褐土：主要分(fen)布在(zai)海拔2600米(mi)以上(shang)的(de)山(shan)(shan)脊和(he)陰坡中上(shang)部(bu)比較平緩(huan)處；石(shi)灰性(xing)灰褐土：大部(bu)分(fen)位(wei)于海拔2600米(mi)以下的(de)陰坡及山(shan)(shan)谷兩旁。
黑(hei)壚土類是南華山(shan)的(de)(de)(de)基帶(dai)土壤，一般分布在(zai)海拔2000米以(yi)下的(de)(de)(de)山(shan)麓(lu)或低(di)山(shan)丘陵區，成土母質多(duo)為第四紀黃土。顯著的(de)(de)(de)特征(zheng)是剖面中有比(bi)較深(shen)厚、暗(an)灰色的(de)(de)(de)有機質層和明顯的(de)(de)(de)石灰質假菌(jun)絲(si)體(ti)，整個剖面質地比(bi)較均一，土壤比(bi)較肥沃(wo)。
寧(ning)夏(xia)南(nan)(nan)華(hua)山國家級自然保護(hu)區地域范圍(wei)分別與海城鎮、史店(dian)鄉(xiang)、曹洼鄉(xiang)、紅(hong)羊(yang)鄉(xiang)、樹(shu)臺鄉(xiang)和(he)西安(an)鎮接壤(rang)。其(qi)地理坐標(biao)為東(dong)經105°31′-105°44′，北緯36°20′-36°33′，呈(cheng)西北-東(dong)南(nan)(nan)走向，南(nan)(nan)北寬19.2千米，東(dong)西長26.4千米，總面積20100.5公頃。
按照(zhao)自然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)功(gong)(gong)能區(qu)(qu)(qu)劃(hua)要求，寧夏南(nan)華山國家級自然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)被區(qu)(qu)(qu)劃(hua)為實(shi)驗區(qu)(qu)(qu)、緩(huan)沖區(qu)(qu)(qu)和核心區(qu)(qu)(qu)三個功(gong)(gong)能區(qu)(qu)(qu)。其中，核心區(qu)(qu)(qu)6182.1公(gong)頃，緩(huan)沖區(qu)(qu)(qu)5235.3公(gong)頃，實(shi)驗區(qu)(qu)(qu)8683.1公(gong)頃。東(dong)南(nan)以亂堆子(zi)(zi)、洼里、老虎崾峴、柳樹(shu)灣(wan)(wan)、莧麻(ma)灣(wan)(wan)、石塘為界，西部以種田溝(gou)、水擔溝(gou)，新莊子(zi)(zi)、崾峴、陽屲、王坡、龔灣(wan)(wan)為界，北部以菜園、野(ye)狐坡、刺(ci)兒溝(gou)、小山、山門(men)、蘆子(zi)(zi)溝(gou)、油房院為界。四(si)至界限(xian)以標牌、宣傳(chuan)欄、巡(xun)護道路及鐵絲圍欄為明顯標志。
寧夏南華山國家級自然保護區(qu)的(de)主要保護對象為山地森林生態系統和山地草原(yuan)與(yu)草甸生態系統。
截(jie)至(zhi)2013年，寧夏南華(hua)(hua)山(shan)國家(jia)級(ji)自然保護(hu)(hu)區(qu)共(gong)有(you)野(ye)生(sheng)維管植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu) 426 種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（包括(kuo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)以下單位），隸屬(shu)58科，203屬(shu)。其中(zhong)蕨類(lei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)2科2屬(shu)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)；裸子(zi)(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)2科5屬(shu)6種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)；被子(zi)(zi)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)54科196屬(shu)416種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。保護(hu)(hu)區(qu)近一半的(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)都有(you)程度不同、類(lei)型(xing)不同的(de)資源(yuan)價(jia)值，多屬(shu)于資源(yuan)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)。其中(zhong)有(you)藥用(yong)(yong)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)60余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如(ru)黃(huang)芪、升麻、黨參、天仙子(zi)(zi)、補血草等(deng)；有(you)油(you)料植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)十余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如(ru)山(shan)杏(xing)、風花(hua)菜(cai)、虎(hu)榛子(zi)(zi)等(deng)；有(you)飼草植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)20余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如(ru)大針茅(mao)、長芒草、短花(hua)針茅(mao)等(deng)；有(you)園(yuan)林(lin)綠(lv)化與材用(yong)(yong)經(jing)濟植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)30余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，如(ru)華(hua)(hua)北紫丁香、毛葉忍(ren)冬等(deng)。南華(hua)(hua)山(shan)的(de)野(ye)生(sheng)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)中(zhong)還有(you)淀粉植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、纖維植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、單寧植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、花(hua)卉觀賞(shang)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、食用(yong)(yong)果菜(cai)類(lei)、蜜源(yuan)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)、芳香植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)等(deng)多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)用(yong)(yong)途的(de)野(ye)生(sheng)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)，有(you)的(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)兼具多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)價(jia)值。有(you)國家(jia)一級(ji)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)發菜(cai)，二級(ji)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保護(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)蒙古(gu)扁桃、華(hua)(hua)北駝絨藜、短芒披堿草、中(zhong)麻黃(huang)。
寧(ning)(ning)夏在中國動(dong)物地理區(qu)(qu)劃上跨(kua)蒙(meng)(meng)新(xin)區(qu)(qu)的(de)東(dong)部草原(yuan)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)區(qu)(qu)、西部荒(huang)漠(mo)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)區(qu)(qu)和(he)華(hua)北區(qu)(qu)的(de)黃土高原(yuan)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)區(qu)(qu)三個亞(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)區(qu)(qu)。寧(ning)(ning)夏南華(hua)山國家級(ji)自然(ran)保護區(qu)(qu)處(chu)在蒙(meng)(meng)新(xin)區(qu)(qu)的(de)西部荒(huang)漠(mo)亞(ya)(ya)(ya)(ya)區(qu)(qu)邊緣。從動(dong)物區(qu)(qu)系成分上來看(kan)，蒙(meng)(meng)新(xin)區(qu)(qu)成分占(zhan)有優勢，華(hua)北區(qu)(qu)與蒙(meng)(meng)新(xin)區(qu)(qu)物種混(hun)雜程度大，帶(dai)有明(ming)顯的(de)過渡(du)特(te)征。?
截(jie)至2013年，寧夏南華山(shan)國家級自然保護區有脊椎動(dong)物有5綱(gang)26目(mu)(mu)57科(ke)(ke)126屬(shu)(shu)(shu)173種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)116亞(ya)種(zhong)(zhong)）。其中，魚綱(gang)2目(mu)(mu)3科(ke)(ke)8屬(shu)(shu)(shu)9種(zhong)(zhong)，兩棲綱(gang)1目(mu)(mu)2科(ke)(ke)2屬(shu)(shu)(shu)3種(zhong)(zhong)，爬行綱(gang)2目(mu)(mu)5科(ke)(ke)6屬(shu)(shu)(shu)10種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)1亞(ya)種(zhong)(zhong)），鳥(niao)綱(gang)15目(mu)(mu)33科(ke)(ke)80屬(shu)(shu)(shu)115種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)80亞(ya)種(zhong)(zhong)），哺乳綱(gang)6目(mu)(mu)14科(ke)(ke) 30屬(shu)(shu)(shu)36種(zhong)(zhong)（含(han)35亞(ya)種(zhong)(zhong)）。以鳥(niao)類占優勢，哺乳類次(ci)之，兩棲類少。
在脊椎動(dong)物(wu)資源(yuan)中，有(you)(you)(you)(you)國(guo)家(jia)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其中屬于國(guo)家(jia)Ⅰ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)為金雕(diao)(diao)1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)21種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其中鳥(niao)類Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)17種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（有(you)(you)(you)(you)：鳶、蒼(cang)鷹(ying)、雀鷹(ying)、松(song)雀鷹(ying)、大天鵝、草原雕(diao)(diao)、禿(tu)鷲、白尾鷂、獵隼(sun)(sun)、燕隼(sun)(sun)、紅腳隼(sun)(sun)、紅隼(sun)(sun)、雕(diao)(diao)鴞、長耳鴞、縱紋腹小(xiao)鴞等），哺乳(ru)類Ⅱ級重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)（荒漠貓、兔獼(mi)、豹(bao)貓、巖(yan)羊）。《瀕危野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)植物(wu)物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)際(ji)貿易公(gong)約》（CITES）規(gui)(gui)定的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入國(guo)際(ji)自然保(bao)護(hu)聯(lian)盟（IUCN）瀕危物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)等級動(dong)物(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)(you)(you)24種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入《中國(guo)瀕危動(dong)物(wu)紅皮書》動(dong)物(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)(you)(you)9種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)(you)(you)中日(ri)保(bao)護(hu)候鳥(niao)及其棲息環(huan)境(jing)(jing)協(xie)定規(gui)(gui)定的(de)保(bao)護(hu)鳥(niao)類42種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，有(you)(you)(you)(you)中澳保(bao)護(hu)候鳥(niao)及其棲息環(huan)境(jing)(jing)協(xie)定規(gui)(gui)定的(de)保(bao)護(hu)鳥(niao)類13種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，列(lie)入國(guo)家(jia)保(bao)護(hu)的(de)有(you)(you)(you)(you)益的(de)或者有(you)(you)(you)(you)重(zhong)(zhong)要經濟、科學研究(jiu)價值(zhi)的(de)陸生(sheng)(sheng)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)物(wu)名(ming)錄(lu)(lu)的(de)有(you)(you)(you)(you)65種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，屬于寧夏重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)有(you)(you)(you)(you)35種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
寧夏南華山國家級自(zi)然保護(hu)區有昆蟲(chong)16目(mu)(mu)132科(ke)530種(zhong)(zhong)。主要由鞘(qiao)翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)、鱗翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)、半翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)、雙翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)、直(zhi)翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)和膜(mo)翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)種(zhong)(zhong)類組(zu)成，其中鞘(qiao)翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)34科(ke)179種(zhong)(zhong)、鱗翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)26科(ke)156種(zhong)(zhong)、半翅(chi)(chi)(chi)目(mu)(mu)18科(ke)56種(zhong)(zhong)，6個目(mu)(mu)的(de)科(ke)數(shu)為(wei)110科(ke)、占(zhan)保護(hu)區昆蟲(chong)總科(ke)數(shu)的(de)83.33%，物種(zhong)(zhong)數(shu)為(wei)480種(zhong)(zhong)、占(zhan)保護(hu)區昆蟲(chong)總種(zhong)(zhong)類數(shu)的(de)90.56%。
寧夏南華山國家級自(zi)(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區管理(li)機構為南華山自(zi)(zi)然(ran)保護(hu)區管理(li)處(chu)，實行(xing)三級管理(li)體制，行(xing)政(zheng)上直屬海原縣人民政(zheng)府領導，業務接受寧夏林業局和中衛市林業局指導。保護(hu)區管理(li)處(chu)下設(she)辦公室、科(ke)研中心、計(ji)劃財(cai)務科(ke)、管理(li)站、保護(hu)點(dian)、檢(jian)查站。
寧夏南華山國(guo)家級(ji)自然保護區功能區劃調整后，原來設立(li)在四橋的管(guan)理(li)機(ji)構(gou)成為核心區，管(guan)理(li)機(ji)構(gou)搬遷到縣(xian)(xian)城，由縣(xian)(xian)政府調劑辦公(gong)場(chang)地。
截至2013年，寧夏南(nan)華(hua)山國家級自然保護區(qu)有管(guan)理站6個(ge)、瞭望塔2個(ge)、設立解(jie)說(shuo)牌2塊(kuai)(kuai)，大宣傳(chuan)牌2塊(kuai)(kuai)，小宣傳(chuan)牌60塊(kuai)(kuai)。在周邊設立固定標準(zhun)地60塊(kuai)(kuai)。配有少量計算機等(deng)(deng)辦公(gong)(gong)設備，及公(gong)(gong)務車、對講機、GPS、通訊和科研設備等(deng)(deng)。
巧笑倩兮 
