The war in Ukraine has caused extensive destruction to the Nature Reserve Fund (NRF), resulting in land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss, and disruption of ecosystem functions. Over 1.2 million hectares of protected areas (≈30% of the NRF) have been impacted. The estimated environmental damage exceeds 2 trillion UAH (~55 billion USD), with restoration costs projected at 1.5–2 billion USD.Key consequences include the loss of 70–80% of steppe ecosystems, soil contamination with heavy metals (5–10 times above safe levels), 30–50% reductions in rare fungi and plant populations, and a 25–40% decline in key bird species. Water pollution has critically degraded rivers such as the Siverskyi Donets and Dniester, and the Black Sea, causing mass die-offs of aquatic organisms.The study also highlights the role of wildfires in NRF degradation, with satellite data revealing increased thermal anomalies and large-scale fires, particularly in the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve. Vegetation recovery remains incomplete due to severe ecosystem disturbance.An integrated methodology—combining descriptive analysis, GIS, ecological monitoring, and remote sensing—was employed to assess environmental damage. The findings underline the urgent need for comprehensive recovery measures, including demining, soil remediation, water restoration, and biodiversity conservation. International cooperation (EU, UNEP, World Bank, WWF) and reparations are key mechanisms to support Ukraine’s post-war ecological recovery.
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