Land Reclamation for the Climate Resilience of Ukrainian Agroecosystems: Environmental, Economic and Institutional Priorities for Recovery

Abstract

Climate-driven shifts in temperature and water regimes, the deterioration of hydraulic infrastructure, and war-related damage are creating in Ukraine not merely a water-shortage problem but a new configuration of risks for soil functions, agricultural production and ecosystems. The aim of this article is to substantiate the conceptual foundations of climate-resilient land reclamation and to identify environmental, economic and institutional priorities for its recovery. The study employs systems analysis, comparative and scenario-based reasoning, and content analysis of contemporary peer-reviewed publications, international analytical documents and current Ukrainian legislation. The article examines the interdependence of water regime management, soil salinity and over-drainage risks, landscape resilience, energy dependence of systems and the institutional capacity of water user organizations. The findings demonstrate that equating land reclamation with a simple increase in irrigated area is methodologically flawed. A project should be assessed through four non-substitutable conditions: hydrological reliability, soil safety, ecological compatibility, and institutional and operational capacity. Two analytical instruments are proposed: a risk-and-response matrix for land reclamation and a project prioritization protocol. Their application makes it possible to distinguish areas where precision irrigation, bidirectional water regulation, conservation drainage, chemical reclamation, rewetting, or the rejection of capital-intensive intervention is warranted. The practical value of the results lies in its potential use for the inventory of reclaimed lands, preparation of investment portfolios and project documentation, and the design of adaptive monitoring systems.