Side event details

The side event is dedicated to discussing the impact of military factors on wetlands and the prospects for their restoration using the example of wetlands of international importance in Ukraine. The direct impact of hostilities and the indirect impact due to changes in the economic situation are noted for 48 out of 50 wetlands of international importance in Ukraine. Such impact is studied using various methods, among which the method of remote sensing of the earth is an important. Experience in studying changes in the ecological character of wetlands and the restoration of wetland ecosystems of various types in Ukraine can be used by other countries.

Key-note speech: Direct and indirect impact of military operations on Wetlands of International Importance in Ukraine stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression - Dr Olesya Petrovych, Senior Expert on Biodiversity Protection of the Recovery and Reform Support Team at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine. The speaker will provide overview of different approaches to the classification of military factors and their impact on nature and the situation regarding the impact of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine on environment and wetlands of international importance in Ukraine.

1. Examples of assessing the impact of military actions on the wetlands of international importance "Karkinitska and Dzharylgatska Bays" - Iryna Babanina, Researcher, CEOBS. The speaker will present different approaches to studying the impact of war on the environment and focus on a specific example of the impact on a fictional island in the middle of a Wetland of International Importance. 
2. Satellite-Based Assessment of War-Induced Changes in Wetlands of International Importance: Case studies of “Dnipro River Delta”, “Archipelago Velyki and Mali Kuchugury”, “Sim Maiakiv Floodplain” - Anna Kozlova, Artem Andreiev, the State Institution "Scientific Center for Aerospace Research of the Earth of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine". The study assesses war-induced changes in hydrology and vegetation within three Ramsar wetlands following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam (June 6, 2023). Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, surface water occurrence maps, reflecting water frequency, were produced for two periods: June 2022–June 2023 (pre-event) and June 2024–June 2025 (post-event). For each site, current water coverage was classified, and vegetation condition in non-flooded areas was assessed  (7 min).
3. Wetland’s can’t wait: Restoration efforts in Ukraine during wartime - Elleni Vendras, Project Leader, Frankfurt Zoological Society. This presentation shares practical insights from wetland restoration efforts carried out in Ukraine during the ongoing war. It highlights measures and adaptive strategies implemented under challenging conditions, drawing lessons relevant for restoration planning in uncertain and resource-limited contexts (7 min).
4. Discussion of next steps in studying the impact of war and wetland restoration