Mapping forest disturbance is crucial for many applications related to decision-making for sustainable forest management. This study identified the effect of illegal amber mining on forest change and accumulated carbon stock across a study area of 8125.5 ha in northern Ukraine. Our method relies on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) implementation of the Landsat-based Detection of Trends in Disturbance and Recovery (LandTrendr) temporal segmentation algorithm of Landsat time-series (LTS) to derive yearly maps of forest disturbance and recovery in areas affected by amber extraction operations. We used virtual reality (VR) 360 interactive panoramic images taken from the sites to attribute four levels of forest disturbance associated with the delta normalized burn ratio (dNBR) and then calculated the carbon loss. We revealed that illegal amber extraction in Ukraine has been occurring since the middle of the 1990s, yielding 3260 ha of total disturbed area up to 2019. This study indicated that the area of forest disturbance increased dramatically during 2013–2014, and illegal amber operations persist. As a result, regrowth processes were mapped on only 375 ha of total disturbed area. The results were integrated into the Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®) quality management system in the region to categorize Forest Management Units (FMUs) conforming to different disturbance rates and taking actions related to their certification status. Moreover, carbon loss evaluation allows the responsible forest management systems to be streamlined and to endorse ecosystem service assessment.

Natural ecosystems face significant pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing socio-economic and political stressors—all of which are exacerbated by military conflict. This paper focuses on Ukraine and examines the root causes of disturbances in the country’s forest socio-ecological systems (SES), as well as the impacts of the ongoing war, to identify recovery pathways. Using a multi-method approach, we assess factors affecting Ukraine’s forest SES and identify three key recovery pathways: (1) an economic focus through forest use for low-carbon recovery, including timber for reconstruction and small-scale energy production; (2) a “close-to-nature and close-to-people” approach, leveraging digital tools and innovations for climate-resilient recovery; and (3) anticipatory governance and socio-ecological innovation. Relying on a single pathway risks long-term vulnerability. We highlight that integrating recovery pathways creates synergies. Coordinated actions within Ukraine and from international actors are essential to enable a recovery aligned with “build back better” principles. Our findings offer valuable insights for Ukraine and other conflict-affected regions. Graphical abstract

Land use transformation, the longest-standing human-driven environmental alteration, is a pressing and complex issue that significantly impacts European landscapes and contributes to global environmental change. The urgency to act is reinforced by the European Environment Agency (EEA), which identifies industrial, commercial, and residential development—particularly near major urban centers—as key contributors to land take. As the EU sets a vision for achieving zero net land take by 2050, assessing the readiness and coherence of national legislation becomes critical. This comprehensive study employs a comparative legal analysis across five European countries—Italy, Greece, Poland, France, and Ukraine—examining their laws, strategies, and commitments related to land degradation neutrality. Using a review of national legislation and policy documents, the research identifies systemic patterns, barriers, and opportunities within current legal frameworks. The present study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and academic institutions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of existing gaps, implementation, and inconsistencies in national land use legislation. Among the results, it has become evident that a typical “pathway” between the examined states in terms of the legislative framework on land use–land take is probably a utopia for the time being. The legislations in force, in several cases, are labyrinthine and multifaceted, highlighting the urgent and immediate need for simplification and standardization. The need for this action is further underscored by the fact that, in most cases, land use frameworks are characterized by complementary legislation and ongoing amendments. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical need for harmonized governance and transparent, enforceable policies, particularly in regions where deregulated land use planning persists. The diversity in legislative layers and the decentralized role of the authorities further compounds the complexity, reinforcing the importance of cross-country dialogue and EU-wide coordination in advancing sustainable land use development.

Forests today face significant challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing socio-economic and political pressures, all of which intensify with the impacts of military conflicts. This paper focuses on Ukraine and examines the root causes and impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine on forest socio-ecological systems to identify potential recovery pathways. We use a multi-method approach to examine the socio-economic, environmental, and governance factors affecting Ukraine’s forest socio-ecological systems and to assess the impacts of the war. Through a review of relevant literature and interviews with forest sector experts, we identify key pathways for post-war recovery. Pathway 1 emphasises increased forest use for sustainable low-carbon recovery, using timber for housing reconstruction and green small-scale energy production. Pathway 2 suggests `close-to-nature and close-to-people` approach leveraging digital tools and innovations for climate-resilient management. Pathway 3 highlights anticipatory governance, refining policies, enhancing transparency, and fostering socio-ecological innovations to ensure sustainable forest management aligned with environmental and socio-economic goals. Relying on a single recovery pathway risks long-term vulnerability, yet integrating multiple recovery pathways and anticipatory governance creates synergies. We emphasise the importance of integration of innovative approaches into co-designed sustainable management practices. Our findings emphasise that addressing the ongoing crisis in Ukraine requires coordinated efforts from all levels of Ukraine’s stakeholders and international policy actors. We believe that the findings shared in this paper, aligned with the "build back better" principles, could not only support the post-war recovery in Ukraine but also offer valuable insights potentially useful for other conflict-affected regions worldwide.

The aim of this study is to comprehensively assess the health condition of ash stands in Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, Kyiv, and identify the main biotic and abiotic factors contributing to stand decline, determining damage distribution patterns and the role of individual factors in stand...

Land use transformation, the longest-standing human-driven environmental alteration, is a pressing and complex issue that significantly impacts European landscapes. It is often described as a dimensional key to “global change”. As the European Environment Agency (EEA) reports, the significant factors influencing land take in the European Economic Area include industrial and commercial activities, alongside the expansion of residential areas, particularly in the vicinity of larger urban agglomerations. This comprehensive study explores the diverse strategies adopted by European countries, including Italy, Greece, Poland, France, and Ukraine, to address the challenge of achieving zero net land take by 2050. This involves thoroughly examining the countries' laws, strategies, and targets for neutrality in land degradation. The potential impact of this study on policymakers, land-use planners, and academic institutions is significant, as it aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the existing gaps, practical implementation challenges, and inconsistencies in national laws. Ultimately, the research aims to yield essential insights, underscoring the crucial role of these stakeholders in sustainable land use development. Among the results, it has become evident that a typical “pathway” between the examined states in terms of legislative framework on land use–land take is probably a utopia for the time being. The legislations in force, in several cases, are labyrinthine and multifaceted, highlighting the urgent and immediate need for simplification and standardization. The need for this action is further underscored by the fact that, in most cases, land use frameworks are characterized by complementary legislation and ongoing amendments. Notably, deregulated land-use planning and development occur in certain instances within Southern Europe. To a further extent, the structure, role, and implementation of legislations rest within different levels of legislative entities, thus giving a wide range of complexity, diversity, and goals depending on who legislates each case.