Middle Landscape Belt of the East European Physical-Geographical Country: Distinction, Structure, and Rational Environmental Management

Abstract

In the early 21st century the existence of a peculiar natural and economic territory—the Middle Landscape Belt within the East European physical-geographical country was substantiated. The study is intended to analyze the distinction, structure, and features of a modern landscape with the view of carrying out sustainable use of natural resources. It is pointed out that the structure of the Middle Landscape Belt is complex and unique. From north to south, there are three landscape strips: the Opillia-Polissyan strip, the Main Landscape Frontier, and the Forest-Steppe Polissya; from west to east there are three sectors: western (Ukrainian), central, and eastern ones. The extensive use of natural resources of the Middle Landscape Belt has led to significant changes in the structure of its landscape, which brings about the issue of further detailed studies. In particular, it concerns the revision of the zoning scheme of the East European physical-geographical country, the structure and state of modern anthropogenic landscapes, and the development of measures for rational nature management, with due regard to the unique nature of the Middle Landscape Belt. The above measures should be taken with due regard to the structure and current state of modern predominantly anthropogenic landscapes: field, grassland, and forest ones that can be background landscapes for the future ecological network of the Middle Landscape Belt.