The Academician of the National Academy of Sciences explained what disaster awaits the nature of Ukraine.

Global warming has a strong impact on the environment of Ukraine, threatening various plant species. While it is impossible to stop climate change, it is possible to slow its pace or adapt to save certain plant species from extinction. This was stated by Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, ecologist and geobotanist Yakiv Didukh in his interview for 'RBK-Ukraine'.

The scientist notes that some changes in vegetation are occurring quite rapidly. For example, in 2019-2020, there was no normal winter, which had a significant impact on plants. Scientists tracked which plants bloomed in winter. However, there are also changes whose consequences we will feel in the distant future.

An increase in the average annual temperature by 2-2.5 degrees is a disaster for the plant world of Ukraine. Under such conditions, about 30% of natural plant communities will undergo changes or lose their structure. Some of these plants may find new habitats in wetter areas, but some, which do not have such a possibility, may disappear. According to various forecasts, the average annual temperature may rise by 2.5 degrees after 2050.

It is essential to understand that climate change means not only an increase in temperature. The amount and distribution of precipitation also play crucial roles. These precipitation patterns influence soil and chemical processes, which in turn affect ecosystem development. All of this impacts vegetation.

Changes in forest ecosystems can take decades or even centuries, but herbaceous plants respond faster. In fact, we can already observe some facts of climate change, for instance, spruces are actively drying out in the Carpathians, while pine forests are declining in Polissia. Many southern plant species are migrating north, but very few northern species are moving south.

It is impossible to change the process of climate change, but it can be slowed down or we can adapt to it. If we want to save a particular plant species, we can artificially create the necessary conditions for it, but this will require additional financial resources.

Earlier, Yakiv Didukh explained how Ukraine's nature will recover after the war. He assured that a unique forest will grow in the place of the Kakhovka Reservoir within 20 years.

It has also been reported that the government has established the Institute of Ecological Restoration and Development of Ukraine, which will address the issues of post-war nature restoration.

According to climate expert Vira Balabukh, due to global warming, some vegetables, such as potatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers, are becoming particularly vulnerable.