The unnatural selection: Plant evolution and adaptation in the Chernobyl and Fukushima Exclusion Zones

Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) nuclear accidents created unprecedented, large-scale experiments in environmental radiobiology, resulting in vast Exclusion Zones. While early research focused on radiation-induced damage and ecosystem degradation, a paradigm shift is underway, viewing these landscapes as natural laboratories to study real-time evolutionary processes. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates the growing body of evidence suggesting that chronic exposure to ionizing radiation has acted as a powerful selective pressure, driving adaptive responses in plant populations. We first outline the molecular and physiological mechanisms of radiation stress in plants, from DNA damage to oxidative stress, setting the stage for understanding potential targets for natural selection. Subsequently, we provide a comparative analysis of the responses of key plant species within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and Fukushima Exclusion Zone, highlighting cases of apparent increased radio-tolerance, genetic differentiation, and the putative role of epigenetic regulation. We discuss how differences in accident dynamics, ecosystem types, and timescales between the two sites offer complementary insights. Finally, we explore the evolutionary trade-offs associated with radiation adaptation and outline future research directions, emphasizing the need for reciprocal transplant experiments and multi-omics approaches. By integrating ecological observations with evolutionary theory, this review argues that long-term studies in these zones are crucial for predicting the trajectory of life in persistently contaminated environments.