It covers both the eastern half of the Aïr Mountains and the western sections of the Ténéré desert.

[4] Though illegal activities continue to threaten the reserve, local involvement has helped control gold panning.

These missions confirmed Dama and Dorcas gazelles and Barbary sheep were still present on the reserve.

[4] Aïr is, geographically speaking, an island of Sahelian-type fauna and flora, isolated in a Saharan desert environment.

The living dunes of the Ténéré quickly modify the landscape by displacement and deposition of sand.