Boxwood (Buxus colchica) seedlings are grown in a special tree nursery in the Sochi National Park. As EcoTourism Expert came to know, today more than 50 thousand boxwood seedlings are being grown in the nursery.
Director of the Sochi National Park Pavel Khotsenko noted that the scientists managed to collect the seed material of the boxwood, which was destroyed by a moth butterfly. In total, over 90 percent of the plantations in Sochi were affected. Out of more than two thousand hectares of boxwood, only about 50 were saved.
Today, the moth butterfly population is depressed. Scientists suggest the emergence of microorganisms that adapt and begin to consume boxwood moth. Thus, there is hope that boxwood moth will be assimilated by biota in a natural way. At the same time, the Sochi National Park says that the plant begins to recover naturally.
The head of the Sochi National Park Pavel Khotsenko emphasized that during this year, as part of the restoration of boxwood in Sochi, it is planned to plant 20 thousand seedlings on an area of 2.2 hectares, in places of its historical growth. And next year - another 30 thousand seedlings will be planted. In addition, boxwood was planted on the territory of all educational institutions of the resort.
The boxwood restoration is estimated to take decades. The plant will reach its former size only in a century. Boxwood grows very slowly - one millimeter per year.
Buxus colchica was in danger of extinction due to a moth butterfly. The moth got in Sochi during preparation for the Winter Olympics along with planting material and began to massively destroy the relic plant. Given that the use of chemicals in the national park is prohibited, specialists used biological methods of protection.
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