Transformation of vegetation under the conditions of the impact of military actions on the natural environment in Ukraine: A review

Abstract

The negative consequences of various types of military activity on physical disturbances and chemical pollution of the environment are systematized. Factors of chemical pollution include potentially toxic elements, energetic compounds (explosives, fuels) and chemical warfare agents. According to the systematization of the available data on the long-term impact of military exercises and military actions on the territories of different countries on soil pollution, metal compounds dominate among potentially toxic elements, and organic pollutants dominate among energetic compounds. The combination of physical violations with multicomponent chemical pollution creates a specificity of the negative impact of the consequences of military activity on the natural environment compared to other anthropogenic factors. The following directions of research into the problem were noted: detection, distribution and ecotoxicology of chemical pollutants in natural environments, impact on biodiversity and vegetation dynamics, phytoremediation to reduce the level of chemical pollution, ecological and physiological factors of plant tolerance, degradation and detoxification of organic pollutants in plants. The tolerance of plants to the residues of explosive substances of various classes occurs due to the general pathways of biochemical transformation, which ensure the detoxification of organic xenobiotics. Taking into account the current state of the problem, literary data on the directions of research into the impact of military actions in Ukraine on the environment and the transformation of vegetation are summarized. Among these areas, the following were noted: assessment of damage caused by armed aggression to the natural environment; environmental monitoring of combat action; analysis of pollution of the natural environment; transformation of vegetation. Destructions of the natural environment as a result of combat action led to significant changes in vegetation, which are associated with ruderalization and adventization. The role of ruderal (including invasive) plants common in the flora of Ukraine under conditions of chemical pollution of habitats is analyzed. Increased tolerance of invasive plant species to high levels of metals and organic pollutants can be used for phytoremediation of disturbed areas, but will create a competitive advantage for more intensive spread compared to native species and new risks to phytodiversity.