CHAR Project – Przewalski Horses

Chernobyl has also helped in the development of environmental radiological assessment models , such as the ERICA Tool , by enabling the transfer of a range of radionuclides to be determined and also for elements of assessment models to be tested .

Future research Studies conducted in Chernobyl present conflicting results and there is a controversy regarding effects reported at unrealistically low exposure rates , equivalent to natural background radiation . This does not mean that effects reported in these studies are wrong , just that interpretation needs to be improved . Many studies carried out at Chernobyl focus very much on the impact of radiation and fail to address other factors such as habitat diversity . To ensure that our knowledge of the effects on wildlife can continue to be developed , it is crucial that future studies carried out at Chernobyl consider factors other than radiation .

Summary Over the years , Chernobyl has become a natural laboratory and has helped researchers enhance their knowledge of radiation impacts on wildlife and the

CHAR Project – Wild Boar

Radiation Protection Today Summer 2021

CHAR Project – Common crane

environment . Studies are ongoing within the CEZ and are using innovative methods including camera traps and bioacoustics . To many , Chernobyl has become an area of high interest for biodiversity conservation and could be considered an ‘ accidental wildlife sanctuary ’.

Find out about the CHAR Project

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