Rudenko S. Nature-Resource Potential of Ukrainian Physic-Geographic Regions: Social and Geographical Research.

Major stages in the development of evaluation trend while mapping Ukrainian nature resources are disclosed. Scientific-geographical bases to study and estimate nature-resource potential (NRP) of physic-geographic regions by method of cartography are defined. Staging in cartographic cognition, formation of new approaches in the territory (aquatory) NRP cartographic evaluation, constructive-geographical orientation of regional NRP evaluation maps are characterized. Broadening of the spectrum of NRP cartographic evaluation types; accentuation upon specific character of NRP cartographic evaluation (evaluation maps) that makes it serve as denominator for the absolute (not relative or comparative) efficiency (productivity) of NRP-forming nature resources; substitution, in the process of NRP cartographic evaluation, of economic benefit (effect) priority paradigm into that of benefit (effect) parity with social and ecological (as a rule, regional) interests - all these are marked out and substantiated in the present work as new approaches (trends) in the territory (aquatory) NRP cartographic evaluation. Major cartographic models of nature-resource potential in physic-geographic regions of Ukraine (as of 2003) are considered and geographically analyzed, said models representing the values of components structure, levels of economic and territorial productivity, and types of nature-resource potential. Cartographic evaluation covers 278 Ukrainian physic-geographic rayons, 57 oblasts, 14 krays, 3 subzones, 4 zones, and 3 countries.