What Does Russia’s War in Ukraine Mean for Global Biodiversity Conservation Efforts?

Mar 27, 2024 | Margaret D. Williams
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This article explores some of the environmental consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine that are being felt far beyond the battlefields. In the high latitudes of the Arctic, thirty years of collaboration between Russia and the West in the fields of biological research and monitoring – as well as environmental protection – contributed to understanding and conserving transboundary species and ecosystems. For the last two years, however, most international science programs (with the exception of space exploration) have excluded Russian participation. In wildlife and climate-related studies, the severing of ties is hampering global efforts to track climate change and protect biodiversity.