Current Approaches to Biogeochemical Regionalization in Ukraine

Abstract

The presented publication analyzes Ukrainian and foreign publications regarding the current principles of biogeochemical regionalization. Traditional domestic approaches to landscape zoning are described, namely according to Oleksandr Vinogradov and Victor Kovalskyi. With the traditional approach, biogeochemical regionalization is based on special biosphere taxa of various orders: biogeochemical regions of the biosphere (the first order taxa), biogeochemical subregions of the biosphere (the second order taxa), and biogeochemical provinces (the third order taxa). Within this frame, the article provides a detailed description of the concept of biogeochemical provinces. The main biogeochemical zones of Ukraine are described, which are currently carved out according to Ukrainian methods of biogeochemical regionalization: Forest-Marsh zone (occupies 19% of the territory), Forest-Steppe zone (occupies 34% of the territory), Northern and Southern Steppe zone (occupies 40% of the territory), and Forest-Meadow zone (occupies 7% of the territory). In a separate section, the author outlines the main approaches to biogeochemical regionalization, which are widely used in developed countries, particularly in the USA, China, and European countries. These approaches can be combined into three groups, each of which has its characteristics: pattern analysis (structural approach), spatially explicit analysis, and extrapolation method. In all these methods, special attention is paid to the choice of a priori discrete classification scheme. Two general types of field sampling designs are commonly used to capitalize on continuous variation in the controls over biogeochemical processes: in the first, one or more transects are arrayed along the major gradients, and sampling is conducted at regular or random intervals; the second type of design for sampling continuous variation is to utilize a grid sampling scheme that permits continuous variation in all independent and dependent variables. In the final part of the article, the author proposes ways to implement modern approaches in the field of biogeochemistry on a landscape (regional) scale to domestic methods, particularly the implementation of the principle of extrapolation using empirical modeling for hydrogeochemical data. The importance of using the experience and approaches of foreign scientists in connection with Ukraine's involvement in the European Union's LIFE environmental protection program was emphasized.