Organiser: Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group
The open-armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, accompanied by large-scale destruction of infrastructure and forced displacement of the population, has also had a profound impact on Ukraine's unique natural complexes. Fires caused by shelling have destroyed forests and meadows, while explosions and remnants of military equipment pollute the air, soil, and water sources with toxic substances and have changed the landscape. Continuous noise pollution disrupts animal behaviour, affecting migration routes and breeding methods, and the threat of unexploded ordnance casts a long shadow over the future.
However, amidst this tragedy, a "natural" phenomenon is emerging: the spontaneous recovery of ecosystems in areas abandoned by humans. Understanding the relationship between these devastating consequences and unexpected opportunities for ecological recovery is critical not only for making short-term decisions to preserve natural complexes but can also form the basis for formulating strategies for sustainable and green recovery and development.
During our session, we would like to delve into the war's environmental impact on Ukraine's ecosystems, revealing the role of technology in mapping the area of environmental disaster and finding solutions to minimize its consequences. Later, we would like to explore the phenomenon of spontaneous recovery of natural ecosystems and conclude the discussion with the challenges and opportunities of integrating nature conservation into post-war recovery efforts.
The first part of the session will be devoted to the critical task of assessing the true extent of environmental damage caused by the war. To begin with, it is important to develop a clear understanding of Ukraine's rich biodiversity, emphasizing its value and state of conservation in the pre-war period. Then, based on advanced technologies (satellite image analysis and field data collection), a quantitative assessment of the scale and severity of the damage to key ecosystems, such as the Azov Sea coast, steppe meadows in the east of the country, and others, will be presented. Particular attention will be paid to protected areas that have been affected by the destructive agriculture and/or are currently in the area of active hostilities or under occupation.
The second part of the session will be devoted to how a new phenomenon is emerging amidst the destruction in the form of spontaneous ecosystem recovery in areas where economic activity has been forced to cease, including not only natural ecosystems but also former agricultural lands, forests, and water bodies in the frontline areas that show signs of ecological recovery. We will look at the case of the former Kakhovka Reservoir, whose territory demonstrates natural resilience for long-term environmental benefits and which has now become a spontaneous testbed for innovative environmental projects.
The third part will discuss the importance and possibilities of prioritizing nature conservation as a cornerstone of post-war reconstruction efforts. Given the scale of the new "spontaneous recovery" zones, potentially covering 20,000-30,000 square kilometres, this section will examine the challenges and opportunities for integrating these areas into a broader strategy to achieve international biodiversity goals.