Mod 8: Science and Society Notes

Resource Description

The proximity of the zone to the nuclear reactor caused the ecosystems in the zone to be free from human interruption since it was deemed unsafe for human habitation. The original wetlands were largely drained for agriculture by a series of canals in the mid 20th century. But since the disaster, beavers had returned to the area and started damming the canals, restoring the wetlands. This allowed new flora and fauna such and eagles and storks to flourish.

In the abandoned areas, many species succumbed to radiation and experienced detrimental genetic changes and reproductive issues.
Over 350 animals on the surrounding farms have serious deformities
However, the most severely affected organisms die before they are able to reproduce meaning that unfavourable genetic mutations are gradually decreasing. Although species diversity initially declined, the appearance of some species such as wolves that have not existed in the area for a long time started to appear.
Radioactive elements in the ground bioaccumulate from decomposers to apex predators e.g. radioactive elements -> fungi -> wild boars -> wolves