The environmental consequences of armed conflicts have been well documented in the relevant literature. Research has demonstrated the profound and often irrevocable damages of military attacks to life-support ecosystem services1. Freshwater systems are among the most problematic targets, as invading countries can exert substantial pressure on the opponent either directly (by damaging infrastructural assets) or indirectly (by deteriorating water-related services). There have been many instances since the early stages of human civilization where water resources have become the bone of contention among different populations and have been weaponized to weaken the enemy’s position during conflicts or have resulted in collateral damage2,3. It is, however, challenging to estimate the scale of the impacts, and interpret the broader sustainability implications, given the complexity of freshwater systems and the multiple services they provide.
Source: Resources - nature.com
