War has long been recognized for its devastating impact on human lives and infrastructure, but its influence on urban wildlife evolution is often overlooked. Armed conflicts reshape landscapes, disrupt ecosystems, and alter the evolutionary trajectories of species living in cities. From migration patterns to genetic diversity, war leaves a lasting mark on the natural world.

Disrupted Migration and Breeding

Active war zones force wildlife to adapt rapidly to survive. One striking example is the effect of the Russia-Ukraine war on greater spotted eagles. These birds, which typically migrate across Eastern Europe, were observed making significant detours around conflict areas. The longer migration routes increased their energy expenditure, delaying their arrival at breeding grounds. Such delays can reduce reproductive success, influencing the genetic fitness of future generations.

Similarly, military activities—such as explosions, gunfire, and troop movements—displace animals from their natural habitats. Urban wildlife, already living in human-altered environments, must navigate these sudden changes. Some species may adapt by altering their behavior, while others face population declines or local extinction.

Habitat Destruction and Forced Adaptations

Warfare often leads to widespread habitat destruction. Bombings, deforestation, and the construction of military barriers fragment ecosystems, isolating animal populations. In cities, this can create “urban islands” where species are cut off from one another, leading to genetic drift—a process where isolated groups evolve independently due to lack of gene flow.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) offers a paradoxical example. Established in 1953, this heavily fortified border between North and South Korea has become an accidental wildlife sanctuary. With minimal human interference, endangered species thrive in this no-man’s-land, evolving without hunting or habitat pressures. However, in active war zones like Gaza and Ukraine, the opposite occurs: urban wildlife struggles to survive amid destruction, with some species adapting to rubble-filled environments while others vanish entirely.

Human Survival Strategies Impact Wildlife

During conflicts, humans often exploit natural resources for survival, further altering urban ecosystems. In Ukraine, the energy crisis caused by war has led to increased deforestation as people cut down trees for heating. This not only destroys habitats but also disrupts the evolutionary potential of forest-dwelling species by reducing genetic diversity.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil wars in the late 1990s and early 2000s led to a surge in bushmeat hunting as food became scarce. Overhunting of primates and other wildlife diminished populations, making them more vulnerable to extinction. Such rapid declines force surviving animals to adapt to new pressures, altering their evolutionary paths.

Post-War Landscapes and Evolutionary Shifts

Even after conflicts end, the environmental consequences persist. The European Green Belt, a network of protected areas along the former Iron Curtain, demonstrates how political boundaries can unintentionally benefit wildlife. With reduced human activity, species in these zones have flourished, evolving in isolation from urban pressures.

However, in cities ravaged by war, the aftermath often includes pollution, unexploded ordnance, and degraded habitats—all of which influence evolution. Some species may develop resistance to toxins, while others face extinction due to inhospitable conditions.

A Legacy of Change

War reshapes urban wildlife in profound ways, accelerating evolution for some species while driving others to extinction. As cities rebuild, understanding these impacts can help conservation efforts, ensuring that both humans and wildlife recover sustainably. The interplay between conflict and nature underscores the deep connection between human actions and the evolutionary fate of urban ecosystems.