In Mykolayiv region and Kherson region, there is a threat of tree death due to the undermining of the dam

Detonation of the Kakhovskaya HPP will result in significant losses of forests in the Mykolaiv Region and Kherson Region. In particular, giant oaks, conifers and birches. A significant decrease in the number of animals that inhabited the hunting grounds is expected.

This was reported in the Southern Forestry Office.

Experts predict the short-term and long-term consequences of the flooding of forest areas as a result of the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP. Short-term is defined by a term of up to six months.

Among them are rotting of roots and death of trees due to lack of oxygen. Deterioration of the condition of trees of various species due to mass damage by diseases and pests. Flooding threatens the degradation of soil quality and a decrease in its fertility, the spread of erosion processes is predicted.

We can already talk about the loss of biodiversity in forests and adjacent landscapes. Part of the birch and oak forests will most likely die as a result of the flooding, including one of the largest giant oaks of the Kherson region, which grow in the Zburyiv Forestry near the banks of the Dnieper. Conifers also have little chance, because we observe a long stay of trees in water and moist soil, – the report says.

According to experts, when flooding lasts up to 10 days, up to 30% of forest stands die, and when it is flooded for a long time (from 10 to 20 days), the probability of death is up to 70%.

One of the consequences of flooding is a significant rise in the groundwater level in the entire southern region of Ukraine. As a result of this, both the remnants of natural forests (chronic Gilea) and the artificial forests created in the last century on the Dnieper sands may finally disappear.

The instantaneous rise of water after the detonation of the hydroelectric power plant left no chance for the survival of most of the animals that inhabited the forests of the Kherson region.

Hunting grounds with a total area of ​​27.5 thousand hectares were affected in the Kherson region. On the territory of these hunting grounds, according to the analysis of data from the latest state registration of hunting animals for 2021 from the State Forestry Agency, the number of hunting animals before the start of hostilities was approximately: ungulates – 1,059 individuals; fur – 22,085 individuals; birds – 160 thousand individuals. The data are provided taking into account that the flooding occurred during the mass breeding season.

We will begin to observe the long-term consequences after a year. Among them – increased desertification, drying up of plantations due to a decrease in the level of groundwater.

A threat to ecosystem functions performed by forests. These are water conservation, soil protection from water and wind erosion, air purification, oxygen production and carbon absorption. Experts do not rule out an increase in fire danger due to a decrease in the level of groundwater in coniferous plantations, – the Southern Forestry Office notes.

The Ministry of Environment: Due to the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP, losses from the death of wild animals are estimated at almost 900 million UAH

The State Environmental Inspection has made approximate calculations of losses due to the possible death of wild animals caused by the disaster at the Kakhovskaya HPP. Damages are estimated at 883 million hryvnias.

This was written by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ruslan Strelets.

Horses, deer, deer, wild boars, roe deer, muskrats, beavers, foxes, hares and birds are among the animals that died from flooding. Those who managed to survive left their natural habitat and adapt to new conditions.

The estimated amount of damage to the environment due to Russia’s detonation of the Kakhovskaya HPP already amounts to more than 55 billion hryvnias.

This was announced by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelets.

The situation in national parks is critical. 30% of the nature reserve fund of the Kherson region is under threat of extinction. Water from the Kakhovsky Reservoir flooded the Nizhnyodniprovskyi National Park. The shallowing of the water area in the “Veliky Lug” National Parks continues – by 4.2 meters, “Kamyanska Sich” – by 6 meters.

The occupied Oleshkiv sands are threatened by rising groundwater. Also, about 1,200 hectares of the territory of the Kinburn Peninsula were flooded due to the undermining of the dam.