The article outlines views on the modern scientific and practical significance of chernozem, emphasizing its special role in the history of science and humanity. The main attention is paid to the issues of geographical distribution, genesis, composition, structure, properties, rational use, restoration, preservation and protection. Problems related to the manifestation of degradation processes are considered: erosion, deflation, compaction, dehumification, destructuring, etc. Emphasis is placed on the role and importance of chernozems in the world of soils as a phenomenon of nature, ideal soil, feeder and means of work. In the Cenozoic period, three events stand out - not destructive, but creating, large in their progressive consequence. In the world of plants, this is the development of angiosperm families and genera, and among them cereals, which played a prominent role in the composition of specific herbaceous and cereal phytocenoses, and later in the food base of humans and domestic animals. Mammals began to predominate in the animal world, primates appeared, as a result of their long evolution, the first humanoids appeared already in the anthropogenic period. In the world of soils, the formation of chernozems began. The initial stage is the expansion of cereals and the formation on extensive, but mainly loess plains of meadow and grass-cereal steppes, under which chernozems began to form - soils of the "gathering" type, in contrast to the already existing podzolic and feralitic soils of the "dispersive" type, which are characterized by weak accumulation humus and dispersion - removal of chemical elements - biogens and many trace elements. Based on the analysis of extensive scientific research and publications about chernozem and its importance in society, it is expedient to develop a doctrine about chernozem and to single out a separate direction in the development of the science of soil science - chernozemology. Black geology is a field of soil science that studies the formation (genesis), structure, composition and properties, patterns of geographical distribution, processes of interaction with the external environment, which determine the formation and development of the main property - fertility, ecological and social functions, aesthetic value, ways of rational use, reproduction, preservation and protection. The question of chernozem and its degradation in the modern world is not only agronomic, ecological, economic, legal, aesthetic, but also political. Radical and tough decisions are needed so that the quiet crisis of the planet does not turn into a loud one in the foreseeable future. Evaluating the global importance of chernozem in the world of soils, it is advisable to develop a special course "Chernozem Science" for students of natural and agricultural specialties of higher educational institutions of Ukraine. Key words: chernozem, natural phenomenon, degradation, erosion, morphology, properties, ideal of perfection, aesthetic value.
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