Soil monitoring infrastructure in response to war

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soil degradation is not the least impact of the Russian aggression. War degradation of soils includes compaction, erosion, biodiversity loss, contamination, physical destruction of soils etc. Explosions release harmful chemicals and metals that can persist in the environment affecting the quality of both soil and water resources; and fires at the site of burning military equipment impact soil. Assessment of soil to support soil management requires a well-functioning soil monitoring infrastructure which we describe in terms of: 1) legislative support, 2) soil testing laboratories, 3) a soil information system, and 4) finance. Gaps in Ukrainian legislation make effective soil monitoring impossible; there is need for decree to officially recognise military soil degradation and establish an effective monitoring. The main body of soil sampling and analysis can be carried out within the network of the State Institute “Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine” but a publicly accessible soil database is needed to hold and transmit the updated information. Novadays funding is hard to come by; we would seek it firstly through cooperation with international donors. If these the times, visiting scientists who participate in the survey and assessment of battlefields will gain experience that finds widespread international application.