Record-breaking tree growth rates have been recorded at the Kakhovka Reservoir site

In June 2023, the Russian military destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing the reservoir to disappear. A forest has since formed in its place, growing at a record pace and astonishing scientists.

This was reported on the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group’s page.

During a July expedition, scientists from the conservation group once again documented the incredible pace of natural regeneration of the former Kakhovka Reservoir. The largest young willow tree found is already 13 cm in diameter—and that’s in just three years.

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

Group leader Oleksiy Vasylyuk shared his impressions of what he saw.

According to him, the opportunity to witness firsthand how a new floodplain forest is emerging and life is returning is extremely rare. What is happening today at the site of the former reservoir has already become a unique natural phenomenon on a global scale.

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

“It’s a really cool feeling to witness nature’s recovery, which is a world record,” he said.

According to Vasylyuk, nature continues to amaze us every day. In three years, the trees have already reached about 13 centimeters in diameter, and the forest is becoming increasingly teeming with life.

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

The scientist explained that changes in the area are noticeable almost every month. New species of plants, insects, and birds are appearing, and the forest is becoming increasingly teeming with life. That is why, he said, every new expedition brings unexpected discoveries.

Scientists emphasize that the processes currently taking place at the site of the former Kakhovka Reservoir are of great importance to science. Observing this natural recovery will help us better understand how ecosystems regenerate after large-scale disasters.

Intent has previously reported on how scientists at the bottom of the former Kakhovka Reservoir have documented insects that are helping to form a new forest.

The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was destroyed on the night of June 6, 2023— a massive explosion occurred, causing the dam to collapse, and water from the reservoir flooded dozens of settlements on both banks of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Ukraine and most Western governments stated that this was a deliberate explosion carried out by Russian troops who controlled the facility.

Intent correspondent Albina Karman reportedon the evacuation ofpeople from the flooded areas.

Ірина Глухова