Baydar Nature Reserve

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]