WAR IMPACT ON SOIL AND AGRICULTURAL LAND: BIBLIOMETRIC LANDSCAPE AND IMPROVING METHODS OF ASSESSING DAMAGE

The article provides a thorough analysis of the latest scientific research and publications presented in the Web of Science (WoS) database, which concerns the impact of military operations on the condition of soils and agricultural lands. The author draw attention to the fact that the number of scientific works in this area is relatively small compared to other areas of environmental and agricultural research. This situation may be a consequence of the lack of attention of the scientific community to this issue, the objective difficulties associated with the complexity of research in a combat zone, limited access to resources, and the risks that arise in the context of active military conflicts. Particular attention is paid to the growth dynamics in the number of publications observed since 2022. This growth can be explained by the activation of Ukrainian scientists who were forced to respond to the challenges that arose as a result of a full-scale invasion. Military operations have led to significant soil degradation, disruption of agroecosystems, and loss of agricultural land productivity, which has created an urgent need for relevant research. Ukrainian scientists in the conditions of martial law have faced new threats, which prompted them to develop innovative methods for assessing environmental damage caused by military operations. The article also critically evaluates the existing methodology for determining damage caused to soils and agricultural lands as a result of emergencies, armed aggression, and other military operations. Several shortcomings have been identified, including insufficient accuracy, limited adaptation to the specific conditions of martial law, and the lack of an integrated approach that takes into account both environmental and economic aspects. The author emphasizes the importance of improving existing methodologies and developing new approaches to assessing the impact of military operations on the environment.