The thesis is aimed at the solution of the scientific problem of landscape science substantiation of optimizing the activity of the national nature parks (NNP) of Ukraine, formed on the example of the NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» and «Oleshky Sands». The expediency of using the landscape science approach as the basis for studying the natural conditions of the NNP territories and improving environmental protection and other activities based on the obtained landscape data has been proven. The basic research principles and approaches of the landscape study of protected areas have been determined. The algorithm and methodology of the landscape science research of the territories of NNP, which is carried out with the aim of substantiating optimization of their activities, have been suggested. Maps of landscape regions and aquatorial regions of the NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi», as well as map of the landscape regions of the NNP «Oleshky Sands» have been created, and the consistent patterns of the landscape structure of the areas under study at the level of the tracts have been established. The landscapes of the NNP under study are characterized by morphological diversity, peculiar morphological and halochemical features. New criteria for research and new methodical techniques of mapping aquatorial regions have been offered. The methodology of optimization functional-regime zoning of national nature parks and methodology for studying aquatorial regions has been improved. On the basis of landscape maps and maps of anthropogenic landscape changes, a series of recommendation maps (maps of border extensions and improved functional zoning of the territories of model NNP) and evaluation maps (maps of landscape regions, maps of heavy metals content in soils of the NNP, maps of the dynamics of nature management, etc.) within the territories of the NNP under study. The analysis of the landscape-geochemical conditions of the territory of the NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» has been carried out; consistent patterns of heavy metals distribution in the modern soil and vegetation cover and surface waters of the territory of NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» have been determined. Analysis of landscape-geochemical conditions of the territory indicates that they generally contribute to the migration of chemical elements with land runoff and their significant vertical redistribution. The differentiation of landscape-geochemical conditions causes the fixation and accumulation of a significant number of natural and man-made chemical elements on the landscape-geochemical barriers (mechanical, redox, acid-alkaline, sorption etc.). The analysis of heavy metals content in the landscape regions of NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» has confirmed its dependence on available sources of technogenic contamination, as well as the high degree of compliance of the nature of heavy metals distribution to the general laws of these processes in the soils of the corresponding types. New schemes of functional zoning of the NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» and «Oleshky Sands» territories have been suggested, with the account of the landscape structure, territorially-regulating factors associated with the peculiarities of economic development of the regions of their localization. Measures of scientific, monitoring, legislative, normative and organizational character have been defined as the main directions of ensuring the optimization of the activity of the national nature parks of Ukraine, formulated on the basis of research results in the model NNP «Nyzhniosulskyi» and «Oleshky Sands». Key words: national nature park, landscape regions, landscape-geochemical conditions, heavy metals, functional zoning.
