Syvash


The Syvash or Sivash, also known as the or , consists of a large system of shallow lagoons on the west coast of the Sea of Azov. Separated from the sea by the narrow Arabat Spit, the water of the Syvash covers an area of around and the entire area spreads over about. Its eastern connection to the Sea of Azov is called the Henichesk Strait. The Syvash borders the northeastern coast of the main Crimean Peninsula; Central and Eastern Syvash registered as wetlands of Ukraine under Ramsar Convention, after the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea became under a territorial dispute.

Overview

The Syvash nearly cuts the Crimean Peninsula off from the mainland, serving as a natural border for its autonomous republic. The long and narrow Arabat Spit runs to its east, separating it from the Sea of Azov. The two bodies are connected in the north at the Henichesk Strait beside the port of Henichesk. To its west, the isthmus of Perekop separates it from the Black Sea and connects Crimea to Ukraine.
The Syvash is extremely shallow. The deepest place is about, with most areas between ½ and 1 meter deep. The bottom is covered with silt up to thick. Being very shallow, the waters in the Syvash heat up in the summer and produce a putrid smell. The wide area for evaporation also leaves the water extremely salty. The amount of various salts is estimated at 200 million metric tons. Several plants harvest the mineral resources of Syvash. The Syvash area is a wetland of international importance. The shores are low, slightly sloping, swampy and salty. In summer, the water level of Syvash decreases significantly, revealing barren solonets soils called "syvashes" by locals.
The Syvash is sometimes divided into the Western Syvash and Eastern Syvash. These are connected to each other by the Chongar Strait.

History

During the Russian Civil War, the Syvash became famous for a surprise crossing by the Red Army during the Perekop-Chongar Operation.

Flora

The Syvash may appear red in color due to the salt-tolerant micro-alga Dunaliella salina.
The eastern parts of the Syvash contain less salt and are home to reeds and other wetland vegetation.
The large islands in the Central Syvash are mainly covered with steppes consisting of feather grass, tulips, tauric wormwood, sage, crested wheat grass, fescue.
The shores of the Syvash contains a large number of salt-tolerant vegetation, including glasswort, Tripolium, plantains, sea lavender, saltbush.

Gallery