[1][2] The Central Siberia Reserve has a terrain that is mostly taiga (about 80% of the territory) and Yenisei floodplain meadows and wetlands (20%).

The reserve covers both sides of the Yenisei, and runs parallel to the Stony Tunguska river to the south.

The dominant vegetation is light coniferous taiga with Larix gmelini forming the canopy in areas with low snow cover.

[4][5] The plant life of the reserve has aspects of both boreal and arctic floral communities, and are representative of the low hills of the Central Siberian Plateau dominated by taiga forests.

There are also lesser numbers of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata), mixed in stands with fir and cedar.

Overall, the terrestrial animal life of the reserve is that of the north central boreal forest: sable, reindeer, etc.