A panel of 25 experts identified 15 top emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation in 2021. The planned construction of the E40 waterway through Polesia is one of them.
The annual review paper ‘A 2021 Horizon Scan of Emerging Global Biological Conservation Issues’ is published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution. From a long list of 97 topics, the panel of scientists and practitioners chose those emerging threats with the greatest likelihood to affect biodiversity conservation in the future. The planned 2.000 km navigable link between the Black and Baltic Seas could result in environmental impacts of global importance, the study suggests. The E40 waterway could dramatically change Polesia’s hydrology and ecology by altering rivers in Poland, Belarus and Ukraine. These changes could be devastating for the rich biodiversity that depends on Polesia. Millions of migratory birds that stop-off in the area each year would be impacted. It could also cause irreparable damage to important conservation areas, including 70 wildlife reserves.
The 12th annual edition of the study also features issues facing coastal and polar ecosystems and changes resulting from anthropogenic climate change. All issues identified have either arisen recently, or have shown a considerable change in the positive or negative impact they have on biological conservation.
By scanning the horizon for prospective conservation issues, the scientists are calling on society to better prepare to address them. It is encouraging that Polesia’s global significance and possible collapse have been recognised by the study. The Save Polesia partnership is working for a better future for Polesia, for its people and its wildlife.
A panel of 25 experts identified 15 top emerging issues of concern for global biodiversity conservation in 2021 in @Trends_Ecol_Evo – the planned construction of the E40 waterway through Polesia is one of them. #savePolesia #Stop_E40
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Further information:
- Read the full article ‘A 2021 Horizon Scan of Emerging Global Biological Conservation Issues‘
- Find out more about Polesia and read our factsheet ‘About Polesia – A unique wilderness of global importance’
- Learn more about the threats from the E40 waterway and read our factsheet ‘Polesia under threat – How a new waterway could destroy Polesia’s natural environment’
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