Wetlands restoration

Polissia is the largest inland wetland system in Europe. Its vast alluvial forests and wetlands are home to hundreds of bird species, and its waters feed Ukraine’s largest rivers, such as the Dnipro.

In the mid-twentieth century, the wetlands of Polissia were subjected to intensive drainage. This led to a decline in biodiversity, an increase in temperature and greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, an increase in the frequency of droughts and forest fires, and a deterioration in the quality of drinking water.

The Frankfurt Zoological Society’s work in Polissia therefore focuses on the restoration of wetlands damaged by human activities such as drainage and amber mining. Together with the Michael Succow Foundation, we conducted a feasibility study to restore the hydrological regime of a number of areas in Polissia. As a result, we have selected 3 sites where we intend to restore the hydrological regime, climate and fire resistance.

These three sites are located in the Syra Pohonia and Somyne tracts of the Rivne Nature Reserve, as well as in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve.

The scientific justification for the restoration of these areas has been approved, and the process of engineering survey of the territory is underway. Together with protected areas and state water authorities, as well as Ukrainian and international universities, we have developed a system of monitoring, training and capacity building for the restoration of Polissia’s wetlands. After restoring 20,000 hectares of wetlands, we will share recommendations for replicating our approach at other disturbed sites.