Photo by Daryry
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, even though their economic and biological value is much higher than that of most terrestrial ecosystems.
The decrease in the area of Ukraine’s wetlands has a detrimental effect on thousands of plant and animal species that live in or depend on these areas. Therefore, we aim to preserve or reduce the anthropogenic impact on meadows, marshes, waterways, and water areas.
Promoting the ecosystem function of the VBU
Preserving bogs is the simplest and most effective measure to mitigate the effects of climate change. The organic mass of peatlands serves as a repository, accumulating carbon from the atmosphere and absorbing water, maintaining the hydrological regime of the territory. In addition, continental surface waters, bogs, upland, and lowland marshes are home to unique flora and fauna. Floodplain meadows help to reduce the effects of floods and floods, provide fodder for livestock, and grow plant products and raw materials used by humans. We aim to change the perception of WBMs as plots of land that can only be benefited from by draining and excavating.
Tracking cases of exploitation of water resources
Peatlands retain fresh water and help regulate groundwater levels. Therefore, our primary task is to monitor and comment on EIAs of economic projects that seek to drain peatlands for peat extraction, often in an illegal and unregulated manner. We also respond to EIAs of dredging rivers under the guise of extracting sand, gravel, and crushed stone and EIAs of creating and privatizing ponds by blocking the natural course of an already over-regulated area.
Creation of protected areas on the territory of the SBU
As of 2022, 50 wetlands in Ukraine have been certified as Ramsar sites and are internationally recognized as habitats for unique waterfowl. At the same time, dozens of equally promising wetlands on a national scale are awaiting consideration by the commission. We see the need for their protection right now by writing petitions requesting that they be designated as protected areas.
Monitoring the condition of dams and their impact on rivers in Ukraine
Europe is the region with the most regulated rivers in the world: more than 1.2 million barriers are installed across its river channels. Ukraine accounts for a significant share of them. At the same time, the dams installed on medium and small rivers are often old (more than 60 years old) and have little or no function. Finding and dismantling such obstacles is a goal that we will gradually move towards as we study and weigh the potential risks of changing the water balance of rivers.
WBU and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Wetland conservation helps to put Ukraine on the path to achieving the four Sustainable Development Goals, fulfilling the internationally set targets:
Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation
Ensure the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems; support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water management.
Goal 13. Combat climate change
By increasing resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, disseminating information, and enabling people and institutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Goal 14. Conserve marine ecosystems
The rational use and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems increases their resilience.
Goal 15. Conservation of terrestrial ecosystems
By restraining natural habitat degradation and preventing rare species extinction, combating desertification, etc.