HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF STUDYING SOIL DEGRADATION IN L’VIV REGION

Abstract

Degradation of cover and soils is among the major issues in soil science, agricultural production, environmental protection and more. This issue does not apply to one region or country only; it is the world global problem. In fact, knowledge of the history of soil degradation evolution in L’viv region allows us to fully understand and assess negative processes and changes in soils over a specific period.The purpose of the given research is the scientific historical and geographical analysis of the status of soil degradation exploration in L’viv region. To achieve this purpose, the author defined main research objectives: to analyse the problem exploration status; to study the history of soil degradation exploration in L’viv region; to develop the periodization of studying the history of soil degradation exploration; to highlight the contribution of individual scientists to the study of soil degradation in L’viv region. The object of research is exploration of soil degradation in L’viv region. The subject of research is the history of exploration and results of exploring soil degradation in L’viv region.While researching the history of soil degradation exploration in L’viv region, the author used the following scientific methods: historical, cartographic, source studies, problematic/chronological, historico-geographical, and comparative geographical.Setting up the Department of Agriculture at L’viv University in 1810, which was one of the first in Europe, constituted the beginning of the first scientific exploration of Galicia soils, including degraded soils. A further important event in the study of soils in L’viv region was starting the Agronomic School in Dublyany in 1856, which received the status of Agricultural Academy in 1901. In the interwar period, researchers from the Agricultural and Forestry Department of L’viv Polytechnic Institute, the Institute of Geography at the University of L’viv, L’viv Bureau of Reclamation, etc., carried out soil exploration at the territory of Galicia.Large-scale soil exploration in 1957-1961 allowed researchers to objectively evaluate the soil geography, its genesis and properties, to identify the areas of eroded and half-bogged soils, and to perform their agricultural and industrial grouping. Professors H. O. Andrushchenko and I. M. Hogolyev made a significant contribution to the soil exploration in the Western regions of Ukraine, and in L’viv region in particular.The new stage of systematic scientific exploration of soil degradation began in 1993 at the Department of Pedology and Soil Geography at L’viv Ivan Franko State University, headed by Professor Poznyak. The Department started theoretical justification of degradation processes evolution, performing research work related to the study of soil degradation in L’viv region, developing the classification of degradation processes, mapping degradation processes, monitoring degradation, and using information technology for soil degradation studies.Soil degradation studies of L’viv region were performed by Associate Professors Kit M. H., Pshevlotsts'kyy M. I, Yamelynets' T. S., Telehuz O. H., Pavlyuk N. M., Netsyk M. V., Lutsyshyn O. Z., Senior Researcher Vyshnevs'kyy Y. Ya., and others.Professor V. H. Has'kevych conducted the study of erosion degradation and its impact on soil evolution and its properties within Malyi Polissya, Sokal’s’ky ridge, Opillya, and the Precarpathians. It was established that prolonged and intensive anthropogenic pressing on soils led to activation of water and wind erosion, adversely affected the morphological features of soils, as well as caused mechanical, physical, agrochemical, and biochemical degradation. The research findings determined the soil profile loss, soil mass loss and humus loss, and assessed soil degradation levels. The influence of degradation processes on the gross chemical composition of soils was studied. Soils were also explored for such degradation processes as acidification, decalcification, genesis of secondary bog soils, carbonation, and aridization. Pyrogenic degradation was studied in peat soils of Malyi Polissya. The study of pyrogenic degradation of peat soils in Ukraine was conducted for the first time.V.H. Has’kevych’s research findings contributed to the improvement of the typology of degradation processes (classes and types). He identified granulometric degradation of drained soils and offered to distinguish between selective and situational types of degradation. An integral assessment of soil degradation was developed based on the intensity of their manifestation.Periodic studies of soil degradation in L’viv region have been developed and five periods have been identified: empirical, inception, formation, awareness, and analysis & problem-solving periods.The research findings were shown in doctoral dissertations and published in numerous monographs and scientific articles.