Abstract-Environmental aspects of tropho metabolic activity of soil saprophages on the pH buffering capacity of remediated soils in Ukraine was considered. Earthworm (Lumbricidae) casts have been proven experimentally to have a higher acid-base buffering capacity in comparison with that of the initial soil. Remediated soils enriched with earthworm casts become more resistant to negative anthropogenic effects. Thus, the activity of soil saprophages influences positively the environmental properties of remediated soils on forest remediation sites by increasing their buffer capacity.

In Ukraine's Steppe zone the extraction of minerals is important. To eliminate the consequences of coal mining the agricultural recultivation of the disturbed soil is used. Thus toxic compounds for human beings and the majority of plants and soil biota representatives, which can be found mining rock, get into plants and invertebrates by trophy chains. When remediating soil, it is necessary to create tropic conditions in order to provide the life of soil biota. Earthworms (Lumbricidae) are the primary decomposers of the organic material. They are numerous in soil and facilitate the improvement of natural and artificially created soil. This paper studies the possible influence of different variants of substrates, which are used in re-cultivation, the leaf litter from leaves of different wood species, as well as different levels of humidity on the representatives of soil saprophages. Optimal variants of artificial mixed-soil providing the stable existence of animals have been shown, which are recommended for the implementation of rehabilitation measures.

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The paper presents the results on resistance of Aesculus hippocastanum Linnaeus, 1753 trees to Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimić, 1986 (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) impact under conditions of a modern urban environment on the example of Dnipro city as the largest industrial city in Ukraine. Field experiments were conducted in all park areas of the city, which allowed covering the full gradient of the existing urban environment and considered the different degrees of the tree settlement by the invasive insect species. The research of the impact of C. ohridella caterpillars’ vital activity on the photosynthetic apparatus state was carried out by applying a chlorophyll fluorescence induction technique. Diagnosis of photosynthetic dysfunction of fresh Ae. hippocastanum leaves was conducted using a portable “Floratest” fluorometer manufactured in Ukraine. Interpretation of the obtained Kautsky curves showed that significant changes in their critical parameters associated with the degree of leaf damage by C. ohridella caterpillars were not detected. The influence of tree growth site conditions on the following 4 main indicators of chlorophyll fluorescence induction was established: the initial value of fluorescence induction after irradiation; the value of “plateau” fluorescence induction; the maximum value of fluorescence induction; the stationary value of fluorescence induction after light adaptation of the plant leaf. It was found that the efficiency coefficients of photochemical processes in Ae. hippocastanum trees growing in low terrain levels differed significantly, which can probably be interpreted as their response to the specific characteristics of the urban environment.

Purpose. To assess the quality of remediated lands of Ordzhonikidzevskyi manganese quarry (Oleksandrivskyi career) on the possibility of their economic use and suitability for soil biota existence, as well as providing recommendations for further rational economic use of them. Methodology. Assessment of quality of remediation lands was carried out by comparing remediated soil bonitet with bonitet of zonal (native) soil. Data collection and processing were carried out in terms of fill layer thickness, humus content in filling top layer, content of physical clay in topsoil and subsoil, granulometric composition of onemeter thick fill layer, topsoil and subsoil salinity (rate), composition and properties of underlying rocks. findings. The research revealed that as a result of implementation of technical remediation stage, a remediated soil was obtained with properties similar to zonal (native) soil previously located within this area prior to mining, and although it has less fertility and greater salinity of deeper layers, it can be used in agricultural purposes after implementation of a biological stage of remediation, which consists of salt-tolerant perennial grass cultivation for 3-5 years. The method of land remediation is currently generalized and well-studied; however, in most rehabilitation schemes on ecological recovery of industry-related areas, completeness of naturalization and functioning of remediated ecosystems is not taken into account, since most of the remediation measures are focused only on vegetation and ground macro-fauna well-being Originality. Novelty of the work is that when assessing the remediation quality, it is proposed to take into account environmental conditions for existence of soil invertebrates, which will play a crucial role in formation of agro-system stability mechanism. These animals make a significant environmental contribution to transformation of soil features, acting as a soil protecting biological factor in organic farming. Practical value. The performed scientific work is part of solution of modern integral ecological task on providing a human with a set of material and intangible services-natural resources and healthy environments.