Steppe vegetation has returned to the Kakhovka Reservoir area

Following the disappearance of the Kakhovka Reservoir, not only the floodplain forests of the Velykyi Luh but also rocky and sandy steppes are being restored on its territory. As a result, a large natural area covering nearly 300,000 hectares may form, bringing together various ecosystems.

This was reported by Ivan Moisienko, a research fellow at the F. E. Faltz-Fein, Doctor of Biological Sciences, professor, and board member of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group , in an interview with Ukrinform.

According to the scientist, before the creation of the Kakhovka Reservoir, the surrounding areas consisted of steppe slopes, sandy areas, and other natural habitats. After the flooding, part of these areas ended up underwater, and once the water receded, washed-out white stones remained on the rocky slopes.

Today, steppe vegetation is gradually returning to these areas. Both rocky (petrophytic) steppes and sandy (psammophytic) steppes are recovering, with plants characteristic of these habitats reappearing.

Moiseenko explained that previously, a narrow strip of aquatic vegetation grew along the reservoir’s shore, beyond which lay steppe slopes, followed by agricultural fields. Now, a much more diverse natural ecosystem is forming on the site of the former reservoir and in the surrounding areas.

The area of the Kakhovka Reservoir itself was about 215,000 hectares. If the steppe areas surrounding it are taken into account, the natural complex could include an additional 50,000–70,000 hectares. Thus, the total area with the potential for natural restoration could approach 300,000 hectares.

The researcher emphasized that, against the backdrop of large-scale destruction of nature caused by the war, the restoration of ecosystems on the site of the former reservoir is an important compensatory factor. At the same time, the formation of a new nature reserve means the return of the diversity of habitats that were previously flooded.

In September, in a comment toIntent, ProfessorIvan Moisienko said that the territory of the former Kakhovka Reservoir could become Ukraine’s largest nature reserve.

Анна Літман