Cape Martyan Reserve


Cape Martyan Reserve is an IUCN Category – Ia. It situated in Crimea, near the city of Yalta. It is also situated near the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens, which is where most of the scientific research on plants is conducted in Ukraine. The reserve was created to save naturally valuable systems of Cape Martyan in natural state, to protect and to preserve rare species of flora and fauna, and to conduct scientific research.

History

This reserve was established in 1973 by the decree of The Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of February 20, 1973 No. 84 on lands Nikitsky botanical garden. The area of the reserve is, including of land and in the adjoining Black Sea.

Geography

The area of allocation reserve is a region of complex and lengthy geological processes related with the deposition of sedimentary rocks and with the raising of the crust. As a result, fragments of limestone from Nikita's chain broke away and dropped into the sea and formed Cape Martyan. In orography this is a trail that is dissected by gullies, that stretch from Nikita's chain and dropped into the sea in some places. The reserve covers the lower part of trail to a height of above sea level.

Climate

The climate in reserve is warm and dry, because the north side is protected from cold winds by The Main ridge with the height above sea level. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are mild and wet. The average annual temperature is, average July temperature --, February --, that characterized by rather low amplitude of oscillations. The average annual rainfall is.

Biota

Here were saved typical natural landscapes and rich genetic fund of flora and fauna of Mediterranean type. This is due to the fact that the reserve is located on the northern boundary of Mediterranean floristic region. The aquatoria of the reserve is one of a few areas that were saved on the southern coast of Crimea in natural state, with a typical demersal flora.

Flora

The vegetation of the reserve is typical for Crimea Mediterranean community. Generally vegetation are composed of forests, most of which are presented by Downy Oak and, less - Greek Juniper and very small - Pinus nigra. Warm climate and sufficient rainfall contribute to the spread in their unique in Crimea evergreen leaf tree - Greek Strawberry Tree and shrubberies: Cistus tauricus, Ruscus aculeatus, Hedera taurica.