Armed conflicts are usually analyzed for their terrible human and geopolitical consequences, but it is often forgotten that The environment also suffers the direct consequences of the explosions.The noise and the presence of troops. In the case of Ukraine, the 2022 Russian invasion has allowed for the documentation of an unprecedented natural experiment on how wild animals react in real time to an environment that, overnight, becomes a battlefield.
Researchers from the University of Freiburg and the Doñana Biological Station have used a network of monitoring cameras already installed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone to see what was happening. Their findings, recently published in the journal Science, demonstrate that The wildlife does not stand idly by in the face of the din of warInstead, it adjusts its routines almost immediately to try to survive a human pressure that is anything but peaceful.
A network of camera traps under military fire
Before the tanks crossed the border, a scientific project was already underway to monitor the Eurasian lynx in the Chernobyl restricted zone. This allowed for the continuation of the project after the withdrawal of Russian troops. The team was able to recover data from 31 devices The recordings were made possible with the invaluable assistance of the Ukrainian army, which had to clear the access routes of mines. The recordings obtained during the 35 days of occupation were analyzed and compared with the same period of the previous year to detect variations.
The military deployment transformed this biodiversity haven into a strategic corridor to Kyiv, involving bombings, fires, and a constant movement of armored vehicles. Despite the inherent radiological risks of the plant, which require strict protocols such as not wearing open shoes, the greatest danger to scientists and animals It has become the unexploded ordnance and barbed wire barriers that now fragment the landscape.
Varied responses depending on the species
The most curious aspect of the study is that not all animals reacted the same way to the commotion of war. For example, it was observed that Red foxes and deer reduced their nighttime activity This drastic change surprised experts, who had expected the mammals to become more nocturnal to avoid encountering soldiers during the day. Instead, on the days of greatest fighting intensity, these species preferred to remain more still at night, perhaps to avoid detection or due to accumulated stress.
Meanwhile, other animals exhibited different behaviors in response to the thermal anomalies caused by the wildfires resulting from the fighting. While sightings of roe deer plummeted, European hares were seen much more frequently Under these circumstances, this suggests a very high mobility response to situations of extreme risk. There is no doubt that for these creatures, humans have gone from being a distant nuisance to a lethal threat very similar to that of any natural predator.
Survival in human settlements and minefields
It is striking how the presence of human infrastructure influenced wildlife movements. Wild boars and raccoon dogs moved away from settlements where troops were stationed, but The lynx and the fox were detected more frequently near these inhabited areas. It seems that these more opportunistic predators saw in the food scraps or resources associated with human presence an opportunity that compensated for the risk of being near the military.
However, the worst of it has been borne by endangered species such as Przewalski's horse, reintroduced to the area decades ago. Although its habits didn't change much in the videos, The death of several specimens has been confirmed due to the explosion of antipersonnel mines, demonstrating that the collateral damage of war is very real and physical. Scientists emphasize that the ecological restoration process that was underway Chernobyl comes back to life It has been cut short, going from being a natural laboratory of peace to a militarized zone where research means risking your life.
The current situation in this Ukrainian territory makes it clear that the ecological consequences of armed conflict can last far longer than the gunfire itself. The transformation of a rewilding environment into a war zone is a stark example. is altering the dynamics of wild populations In the long term, it is essential that the international community maintain financial and logistical support for researchers who, despite everything, remain on the front lines to protect biodiversity in times of crisis.
