Monday, October 12, 2015

Yeah, about that horribleawfuleverythingsgone! dead zone around Chernobyl,

Several previous studies of the Chernobyl exclusion zone indicated major radiation effects and pronounced reductions in wildlife populations at dose rates well below those thought to cause significant impacts. In contrast, our long-term empirical data showed no evidence of a negative influence of radiation on mammal abundance. Relative abundances of elk, roe deer, red deer and wild boar within the Chernobyl exclusion zone are similar to those in four (uncontaminated) nature reserves in the region and wolf abundance is more than 7 times higher. Additionally survey data show rising trends in elk, roe deer and wild boar abundances from one to ten years post-accident. These results demonstrate for the first time that, regardless of potential radiation effects on individual animals, the Chernobyl exclusion zone supports an abundant mammal community after nearly three decades of chronic radiation exposures.


5 comments:

Pawpaw said...

Isn't that amazing; life wins every time.

I thought that everyone knew that.

Anonymous said...

But if they aren't *GIANT* or glowing or have crazy superpowers then radiation really isn't all that newsworthy.

Look, I've played enough editions of Fallout to know how this works....

KM said...

Wait for the new species to be found.
It'll be a carnivore that will have the body and antlers of an elk, the brain power of a wild boar with wolf fangs and a pack mentality.



Steve said...

I'm shocked! Shocked!

No, I'm not. Funny, we nuked two Japanese cities, and I'm still waiting for a real no shit Godzilla to show up. Or even a three armed, Ninja.

I'll be right over here - waiting.

0007 said...

Several years back there was a Checz(?)female motorcyclist who drove her bike as far into/through the Chernobyl area as she could go(until she hit the manned check points). She had a LOT of photos on her site that she took while there. Very interesting they were.