Bird Numbers Plummet Across Ukraine
Ukraine is witnessing a significant decline in bird populations, particularly among species that inhabit open landscapes and wetland areas. Ornithologist Natalia Atamas, a researcher at the Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, identified the alteration of natural habitats as a primary driver. Human activities such as deforestation, meadow plowing, the shift to intensive agriculture, and the use of chemicals are all having a detrimental impact on avian populations. This is especially true for species listed in Ukraine's Red Book, many of which inhabit territories currently under occupation or within active combat zones, complicating conservation efforts.
Species Facing the Sharpest Declines
Among the bird species experiencing the most severe population drops are those of open landscapes, like the European turtle-dove, and those dependent on wetlands, such as the common snipe. Atamas stressed that the situation for wetland biotopes is critical:
“Take the common snipe, for example. It can still be found in Ukraine, but in Europe, its situation is getting worse and worse.” - Natalia Atamas
The status of Red Book species living in steppe regions is also deteriorating. The European population of the black grouse, particularly in the south, is in poor condition. In some regions, this species has become so fragmented that it can no longer sustain its numbers independently.
Despite the overall negative trend, a few species are showing population growth. For instance, the European bee-eater is gradually increasing in number and expanding its range northward. Europe has also seen rising numbers of swans and white-tailed eagles. However, as Atamas noted, 'the situation for steppe species is bad.' The war in Ukraine has a substantial impact on birds: combat, fires, and pollution are destroying natural biotopes. Several key protected areas are now under occupation, and the country has lost access to a significant portion of its southern steppe landscapes and coastline, which were crucial habitats for rare species.
The Red-listed ruddy shelduck, which once nested in several locations including Crimea, now faces an uncertain future as the peninsula remains inaccessible. Atamas remarked: 'We hope these birds have relocated, as this species is capable of adaptation.' Meanwhile, the Carpathian Mountains could potentially serve as a refuge for some species, but preserving these areas is essential for that to happen. This regional conflict has created an ecological crisis layered on top of existing environmental pressures.
Overall, data on bird numbers in Ukraine is limited, a situation exacerbated by the war, which severely hampers research and monitoring activities.
The widespread decline of birds in Ukraine serves as a stark warning of the deteriorating health of the country's natural ecosystems. Amid ongoing war and intensive economic activity, it is crucial to implement measures to protect existing populations and conduct thorough monitoring to enable timely responses to changes. Successful bird conservation could become a key indicator of environmental health and the effectiveness of biodiversity strategies in Ukraine.