SOIL–GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHES AT THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY OF NOVOROSSIYA

Abstract

In the article are analyzed and summarized the archives and published works concerning the formation and development of soil-geographical researches at the Imperial University of Novorossiya. The fundamental scientific achievements and research directions during 1865-1933 years was highlighted. It was found that teaching the basics of soil science at the University of Novorossiya started in the mid-nineteenth century by I.U. Palimpsestov. Thanks to the D.M. Abashev, A.O. Bychyhina, S.V. Shchusev soil science became an independent discipline. Soil – geographical study of the early twentieth century related to the activities of scientists, Dokuchaev’s followers – such as O.G. Nabokyh and G.I. Tanfiliev. Managed by O.G. Nabokyh were conducted extensive researches of Odessa (Kherson) province, were compiled soil maps of the studied areas, worked out classification of soils, which is based on the types of water regime and dynamics of carbonates, founded the first museum of soils in Ukraine. G.I. Tanfiliev developed zoning of Odessa (Kherson) province, depending on altitude, he long time supervised by research work of students of the University. The researches, initiated in Imperial University of Novorossiya have great theoretical and practical importance as a basis for further soil-geographic researches and have an important value for the modern soil-geographical science.