<p>The most important feature of the primary accumulation of different facts about the properties of soils, their fertility and ways of cultivation is the human awareness of soil as the environment of growth and development of plants, as well as the existence of a large variety of soils and the need for their differentiated use in the agriculture and different taxation systems. Monuments are important in the case of careful treatment and conservation of natural objects, including soils. Monuments to soils have been preserved in ancient writings – Egyptian papyri and steles, chronicles, maps, etc. Taking into account the importance of chernozem for nature and for humans as well, a number of monuments, scientifi works, fition, or poems are devoted to this particular type of soil. There are also announced “years of chernozem”, indicating it as the standard of excellence in the world soils. Analysis of the development of soil science has shown that it has a long history, from ancient times to the present day. The main idea is that soil plays an important role both for nature and humanity. An important task of modern society is a reasonable approach towards the soil and preservation of natural soil objects.</p>

The goals and objectives of the «4 per 1000» international initiative are highlighted in the article. The idea of the initiative is to increase carbon sequestration in soil, thereby reducing its amount in the atmosphere. This would be one of the opportunities to counteract global warming, while simultaneously contributing to the improvement of soil productivity and thus to the increase in food production. Increased soil carbon sequestration underlies a number of sustainable development goals. Global carbon dioxide emissions are steadily increasing. In Ukraine, unlike in the world, CO2 emissions are steadily declining. However, such a reduction is primarily due to the country’s GDP decline rather than the introduction of measures to green the economy. The carbon intensity of Ukrainian GDP is one of the highest in the world. The implementation of the «4 per 1000» initiative in Ukraine can be one of the tools to curb the growth of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and at the same time to increase the productivity of agricultural land and to green the economy.

The aim of the paper was to show the significance of chernozems for the Ukrainian economy, science and culture. The spatial distribution as well as variation of features of chernozems in Ukraine (including the uniqueness of these soils) was described. Also a brief history of investigation of Ukrainian chernozems was outlined. Particular emphasis was placed on the problems of degradation and protection of chernozems.

Львівський національний університет імені Івана Франка 2 Національний університет «Одеська юридична академія» ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНА ПРИВАБЛИВІСТЬ ҐРУНТІВ КАРПАТСЬКОГО РЕГІОНУ УКРАЇНИ Мета цієї публікації-обґрунтувати необхідність комплексної оцінки та вдосконалити теоретико-методологічні засади оцінювання інвестиційної привабливості ґрунтів Карпатського регіону України, розробити систему показників для оцінювання агровиробничих властивостей ґрунтів і сформувати структуру показників регіональної інвестиційної привабливості модальних типів ґрунтів. До критеріїв інвестиційної привабливості ґрунтів віднесено їхні морфологічні особливості та фізико-хімічні властивості, кліматичні, технологічні, організаційно-економічні, соціальні, правові параметри. Першочерговим завданням є формування баз даних морфологічних, фізичних і фізикохімічних властивостей модальних типів ґрунтів Карпатського регіону, які визначають родючість та інвестиційну привабливість. Пропонована оцінка інвестиційної привабливості ґрунтів земельних ділянок є запорукою мінімізації можливих ризиків інвестування та впровадження рентабельного типу землекористування. Ключові слова: ґрунти; інвестиційна привабливість ґрунтів; родючість ґрунтів; правовий режим ґрунтів; землі сільськогосподарського призначення; Карпатський регіон.

Soils are one of the most important, basic resources that is essential for the creation of a large number of goods and services that are an integral part of the ecosystem and human well-being. Soils, both actively used and others, provide ecosystems services which are important for regulating of the global climate and for large-scale regulation of various natural resources. About 33 % of global soil resources are degraded due to erosion, pollution, compaction, salinization, acidification, dehumidification and other adverse processes associated within appropriate management of ground water resources. About 33 % of global soil resources are degraded due to erosion, pollution, compaction, salinization, acidification, dehumidification and other adverse processes associated with inappropriate management of soil resources. Excessive lowing of the land fund, non-compliance of modern agricultural systems, neglect to agronomic land use norm sand ecology, lack of proper system of soil fertility management contributes to the development of degradation processes. The degradation is almost inevitable companion of humanity for many centuries of its development. Of course there are differences in this process, and they depend on the level of development of society, the understanding of the patterns of soil formation, and the state of the economy. Providing the rational, scientifically grounded use of soil, Ukraine, possessing a huge reserve of soil fertility, may be one of the world leaders in the production of high-quality food products. However, unfortunately, the soil does not occupy a privileged position in society. It is considered exclusively from the utilitarian side as a means of getting of agricultural products. The most important thing for the survival of humanity is the attitude of people to the soil, which is formed by culture, economic and social system of society. In the modern world, when the interconnection of elements in the mechanism of the world economy intensifies and the number of the population is steadily increasing, the management of soil resources plays more important role than ever before. Societies that have almost exhausted their environmental potential are often forced to maximize their crops to feed the population, regardless of the depletion of the soil and the need to protect and preserve it for next generations. Key words: soil, degradation, use of the soils, fertility, ecological crisis, society, soil area.