Insects that are transforming the new forest have appeared at the bottom of the Kakhovka Reservoir

At the bottom of the former Kakhovka Reservoir—which Russian troops destroyed by blowing up the dam in June 2023—insect species are spreading that could affect the number of trees in the young forest in the future.

This was reported by scientist Oleksiy Vasylyuk, who posted a video on the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group’s page.

According to him, over time, these insects may become one of the natural factors regulating the number of trees in the new forest.

<picture></picture>Photo: screenshot from the video

In the released footage, the scientist showed the multicolored poplar leaf beetle, the Macaria alternata moth, and the shoe moth.

<picture></picture>Photo: screenshot from the video

He also showed the trunk of a young willow tree damaged by the shoe moth.

<picture></picture>Photo: screenshot from the video

The caterpillar of this moth develops inside the wood and can cause significant damage to young trees.

Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, nature is recovering at an extremely rapid pace in the drained area. A natural forest is forming on the site of the former reservoir, where the historic Velykyi Lug once stood.

Previously, ecologists reported that young willow groves already cover more than 65,000 hectares, and the tallest trees have grown to five meters thanks to the fertile black soil and favorable climatic conditions.

In addition, scientists have already identified plants listed in the Red Data Book and dozens of species of rare birds within the territory of the former reservoir. In their view, following the Russian military’s destruction of the dam, a unique natural ecosystem is rapidly forming at the site of the reservoir.

The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant on June 6, 2023, became one of the greatest environmental and humanitarian disasters of the full-scale war. The flood submerged dozens of settlements on both banks of the Dnipro River.

At least 34 people were killed, 28 were injured, and nearly 40 are considered missing. Thousands of people and pets were evacuated from the flooded areas.

Intent correspondent Albina Karman reported on the evacuation of people from the flooded areas.

Ірина Глухова