How have pollution and reduced river discharge damaged wetlands near the Dnieper estuary?

The wetlands surrounding the Dnieper River estuary have been seriously damaged by a combination of pollution and reduced river discharge.1

The degradation of these ecosystems is largely a consequence of human intervention in the river's natural hydrology. The construction of dams and reservoirs for hydroelectric power and irrigation has significantly altered the river's flow, leading to a reduction in annual outflow by approximately 20 percent. Furthermore, the river has been subjected to persistent pollution from urban and industrial effluents, as well as increased agricultural runoff. These factors have collectively compromised the health and ecological integrity of the wetlands near the estuary.1