The effects of modern war and military activities on biodiversity and the environment

TLDR

War can alter the biosphere, yet research on its environmental impacts is limited due to restricted access and lack of baseline data. The study reviews how modern war and military activities affect ecosystem structure and function and calls for further research to mitigate negative impacts and guide rehabilitation. The review focuses on the impacts of direct conflict, nuclear weapons, military training, and contaminants produced by military activities. Modern war and military activities generally degrade ecosystems, causing habitat loss, pollution, and biodiversity decline, though recovery can occur and exclusion zones may boost populations, and military technologies offer new conservation tools.

Abstract

War is an ever-present force that has the potential to alter the biosphere. Here we review the potential consequences of modern war and military activities on ecosystem structure and function. We focus on the effects of direct conflict, nuclear weapons, military training, and military produced contaminants. Overall, the aforementioned activities were found to have overwhelmingly negative effects on ecosystem structure and function. Dramatic habitat alteration, environmental pollution, and disturbance contributed to population declines and biodiversity losses arising from both acute and chronic effects in both terrestrial and aquatic systems. In some instances, even in the face of massive alterations to ecosystem structure, recovery was possible. Interestingly, military activity was beneficial under specific conditions, such as when an exclusion zone was generated that generally resulted in population increases and (or) population recovery; an observation noted in both terrestrial and aquatic systems. Additionally, military technological advances (e.g., GPS technology, drone technology, biotelemetry) have provided conservation scientists with novel tools for research. Because of the challenges associated with conducting research in areas with military activities (e.g., restricted access, hazardous conditions), information pertaining to military impacts on the environment are relatively scarce and are often studied years after military activities have ceased and with no knowledge of baseline conditions. Additional research would help to elucidate the environmental consequences (positive and negative) and thus reveal opportunities for mitigating negative effects while informing the development of optimal strategies for rehabilitation and recovery.