The purpose of the article is to analyze soil and land use problems at the regional and local (territorial communities) levels and the need to update soil maps as tools for sustainable land resource management (using the example of the Odesa region). The main material. The article highlights the analysis of modern problems of sustainable land use in the system of land resources management of the regional and local (local) levels on the example of Odesa region. The main legal and ecological and economic aspects of land use are analyzed using the example of the Odesa region. It is stated that the available materials on soils within the territories newly created in 2020 within the framework of the administrative reform of communities need to be updated and updated. The methodological basis of the research is an interdisciplinary approach, which is based on the application of the comparative-geographic approach traditional for soil science, with a combination of cartographic analysis and modeling tools. For sustainable management of soil and land resources at the regional level, it is necessary to operate with an updated soil map, and at the local level - a community or a business entity - with maps and cartograms of agricultural production groups of soils of a specific territory. Given the need to continue the decentralization reform in Ukraine and the approximation of management decisions at the level of territorial communities, it is necessary to strengthen work on mandatory ecological and agrochemical certification of farm lands of all forms of ownership within communities. Conclusions and further research. It is recommended, in the current conditions of the legal regime of martial law, to use existing open geoinformation applications at the local level for the purpose of sustainable land use. In the system of strategic planning at the regional level, it is extremely necessary to create advisory services based on leading institutions of higher education, scientific institutions with the involvement of representatives of the government and the public, among the tasks of which will be sustainable soil management. Directions and ways are proposed for the sustainable use of soil and land resources of the region and its communities in the context of climate change and the chosen course of Ukraine for the implementation of European environmentally sustainable policies.
The purpose of the article is to conduct a geospatial analysis and comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of military activity on the forest ecosystems of the Dibrivsky and Novopavlivsky nature reserves (Dnipropetrovsk region). The study aims to determine the extent of damage and degradation of forest cover in the period 2024–2025 using remote sensing methods, which are currently the only safe source of objective data on the state of territories where active hostilities are taking place. Main content. The study used a method of comparative analysis of multispectral satellite images from Sentinel-2 for October 2024 and 2025. To identify changes, the difference values of spectral indices were calculated and classified: the normalised burn ratio (NBR) to detect pyrogenic damage and the normalised vegetation index (NDVI) to estimate biomass. The results were validated by comparing them with NASA FIRMS thermal anomaly archive data and DeepStateMAP combat maps. Geoinformation analysis showed that, as of the end of 2025, 66.5% of forest areas were in a state of critical ecological stress. The specifics of the damage were identified: the NBR index recorded the absence of areas of complete burnout (class 5 was 0%) and the predominance of low damage (49.5%), indicating the local nature of ground fires. At the same time, the NDVI index reflected a large-scale suppression of the physiological state of vegetation. It was established that the area of physical destruction of the biocenosis (craters, fortifications, epicentres of explosions) accounts for only 1.2% of the total territory. Conclusions. The results of the study confirmed that the key factor in the degradation of the studied PZF objects is the cumulative effect of combat operations (the action of shock waves, damage to tree bark by debris, the movement of heavy equipment), and not just the direct pyrogenic effect. The absence of total destruction of the tree stand indicates the potential for natural restoration of ecosystems after the demilitarisation of territories. The use of a combination of NBR and NDVI spectral indices has proven effective for remote recording of environmental damage and monitoring of biodiversity in conditions of military action.
The purpose of the article is to analyze the experience of cartographic visualization of ecotones, approaches to ecotone delineation, and to substantiate the methodology of their identification using geoinformation technologies. Main material. The paper analyzes scientific approaches to ecotone mapping presented in the works of foreign and Ukrainian researchers. The peculiarities of discrete models, within which ecotones are interpreted as clear boundaries between natural complexes, gradient models reflecting the gradual nature of environmental changes, as well as buffer and combined approaches that consider the spatial uncertainty of ecotone boundaries are considered. The possibilities of using geographic information systems, multilayer spatial analysis, and spectral indices for the identification and visualization of ecotones are analysed. Attention is paid to modern challenges associated with the transformation of natural landscapes in Ukraine under the influence of climate change and military actions. A methodology for identifying three-component ecotones within protected areas of Kharkiv region based on the application of a combined approach with extensive use of geoinformation analysis methods and remote sensing data is proposed. Conclusions. The conducted research has shown that cartographic visualization of ecotones is one of the most complex areas of modern thematic cartography due to the spatial heterogeneity, dynamism, and indistinct boundaries of transitional natural zones. The analysis of scientific approaches demonstrated that the evolution of ecotone visualization methods has progressed from classical discrete models to modern combined geoinformation approaches. The generalization of domestic and foreign scientific approaches to ecotone mapping made it possible to trace their evolution from discrete to combined approaches and revealed that the most promising method for the identification and mapping of ecotones, including three-component ecotones, is the combined approach integrating elements of discrete, gradient, and buffer analysis using geographic information systems and remote sensing data. It has been determined that under current conditions of transformation of natural landscapes in Ukraine caused by climate change, urbanization, and the consequences of military actions, the application of remote sensing and geoinformation technologies becomes especially important for the оперативе identification and analysis of ecotones. The use of modern GIS platforms provides opportunities for integrating heterogeneous spatial information sources and creating more accurate cartographic models of the natural environment. A promising direction for further research is the development of automated methods for ecotone identification using machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence. Their application will improve the accuracy of cartographic visualization, ensure prompt updating of geodata, and enhance environmental monitoring systems for natural territories.
The purpose of the article is to justify the transformation of educational construct the recreational landscape in the context of land restoration and to develop a model for its use in geography education. Main content. A recreational landscape is a type of natural-anthropogenic landscape characterised by recreational properties, the capacity to provide cultural ecosystem services and the recreational potential of the area; that was formed by processes of landscape self-organisation and anthropogenic transformation. It has been determined that the current transformative processes caused by military operations are changing the structure, functions and accessibility of recreational landscapes, giving rise to new types of areas – disturbed, transformed and restricted-access. The necessity of transitioning from the traditional descriptive and classificatory approach towards a learning model focused on working with dynamic spatial systems and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty has been proved. It has been established that the recreational landscape, as an educational construct, fosters the development of students’ spatial, systems-based and design thinking, as well as their ability to analyse transformed areas and to model scenarios for restoration the territories and the revival of tourism. An important role is assigned to GIS, remote sensing, digital terrain models, virtual tours, digital twins and virtual reality tools. A conceptual model is proposed for the transformation of recreational landscapes` educational construct, encompassing the stages of perception, structural and functional analysis, evaluation and the design of approaches to the real or virtual restoration of areas. Experience of implementing a transformed educational framework in teaching of disciplines ‘Recreational Geography’ and ‘Organisation of Tourism and Local History Activities’ has demonstrated an increase in the practical focus of teaching and the enhancement of competencies related to modelling the spatial development of territories. Conclusions. The proposed approach facilitates the integration of knowledge with practices in spatial analysis, digital modelling, and the design of land restoration scenarios. Further research should focus on developing a GIS database of transformed and lost recreational landscapes, refining digital visualisation methods, and incorporating virtual and augmented reality technologies.
The purpose of the article. To analyze the global and domestic experience in developing geoportals and their compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals. The main material. The possibility of using geospatial data to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and their advantages compared to traditional statistical data is considered. The evolution of geospatial data from paper form to modern infrastructures is traced using the example of foreign and domestic experience. The modern experience of creating geospatial data infrastructures and implementing geoportals as access points to geoinformation data is analyzed. The main state geoportals of Ukraine and their compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals are reviewed. Conclusions. It is proven that geoinformation data of geoportals can be used as alternative data for analytical monitoring of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the state level. It is established that the use of advanced geospatial data collection tools ensures high accuracy of recording changes in geographic space. The NIGD geoportal is the most effective tool for providing the state with accurate geospatial data in Ukraine. The assessment confirmed the high potential of the system in monitoring sustainable development: the functionality and content of the geoportal were found to correspond to 11 of the 17 global goals. This approach creates a reliable basis for tracking the achievement of the SDGs, meets the requirements of European integration and forms a transparent environment for the effective restoration of the national infrastructure. It is proposed to create a specialized transformation center for the development of geospatial indicators of the SDGs, which will be based on the best world experience.
