Soil Degradation as a Result of Military Conflicts: Global Experience and Implications for Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study is to analyse the consequences of the decline or loss of soil fertility caused by military operations and to assess their impact on agricultural production, food security, and the socio-economic stability of rural areas. Particular attention is given to highlighting the interconnections between land degradation and the associated risks of intensified conflict-related factors in the post-war period.
Methods. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach combining systemic and structural analysis, synthesis of analytical research by international organisations, and comparative analysis of environmental restoration practices. Methods of logical generalisation and analytical grouping of factors influencing agricultural production and socio-economic processes were applied. The research also evaluates the potential application of physical, chemical, and biological methods for the reclamation of soils contaminated as a result of military activities in the context of post-war recovery.
Results. It has been established that the consequences of military operations include the mechanical destruction of the fertile soil layer and reduced water and air permeability, the accumulation of toxic contaminants, and disruption of microbiological balance. Such impacts lead to a reduction in the area of land suitable for agricultural cultivation and create long-term risks to food security. The study sub-stantiates the main groups of factors that may contribute to social instability, resource scarcity, forced migration, increased inequality, and weakened institutional control in territories affected by military activities resulting in soil contamination. The analysis and synthesis of international experience confirm the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to land reclamation, combining physical, chemical, and biological methods, as well as the conservation of contaminated areas alongside strategic resource-use planning.
Conclusions. The post-war restoration of land fertility should be considered an integral component of a long-term environmental and economic strategy. The implementation of a comprehensive approach that combines scientifically grounded reclamation methods with community involvement in land restoration processes will contribute not only to the primary objective of restoring soil fertility but also to strengthening food security and fostering a resilient social environment in the context of post-war recovery.