Located in the Baydar Valley, the Baydar Nature Reserve is noted by the Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine for its multi-tiered appearance, including elements of both the Baydar Valley and the Crimean Mountains,[1] in particular its Main Range [uk].[2] The reserve is home to several canyons (including the Chorna Canyon [uk], itself formerly a nature reserve), ridges, and karst landforms. Approximately 77% of the reserve is covered by forests, primarily juniper, oaks, ash, beech, hornbeam, and pistachio. A total of 54 plant species and 41 animal species live in the reserve, among them rare species.[1]
An important part of the Baydar Nature Reserve is its role in water protection. The Chorna river runs through the reserve, as do several waterfalls. The Chorna reservoir [uk], Crimea's largest reservoir, is also included in the reserve. A total of 64,000,000 m3 (6.4×1010 L) is located in the reserve, providing drinking water to the city of Sevastopol.[2]
The reserve borders Cape Aya and Hasforta [uk] to the west and Yalta Mountain-Forest Nature Reserve and Ay Petri yayla to the east.[1][2] It was declared a landscape zakaznik of national importance on 31 May 1990 by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.[3]
References
^ abcYena, V. G.; Yena, A. V. "Байдарський заказник" [Baydar zakaznik]. Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
^ abc"Байдарский" [Baydar]. Protected areas of Russia (in Russian). Retrieved 15 February 2023.