Ivanov Y. Natural and economic systems of mining areas in Western Ukraine: functioning, modeling, optimization

The thesis is focused on the development of scientific, methodological and methodical principles for the structural and geographical study of mining areas in Western Ukraine aimed at the practical implementation for the measures designed to improve the natural and economic systems. The concept of landscape approaches and algorithm for the environmental problems analysis at mining areas and facilities are formulated. The term "mining geosystem" is grounded, morphological landscape units and regional level units were defined, and the boundaries for the geosystems were outlined. The program and methodology for solving environmental and geographic problems, which are related to the rational management in mining and minerals processing including management of natural resources in general, and are the basis for the development of various application options especially for the purposes of optimization, design, and resolving various environmental problems, were improved. Geoecological research methods for mining areas were grounded. The special role in these methods belongs to cartographic and geoinformation researches. Among the methodological approaches, evaluation for the ecological state of natural and economic systems and stages of human transformation should be highlighted. The basis for geoecological mapping and modeling of mining areas is field survey aimed at knowledge of landscape structure, mining impacts on the geosystems, and the study of current ecological situation. The features of the landscape and industrial systems within the areas of mining and mineral processing were analyzed. The classification of mining and post mining geosystems was expanded and elaborated. The mechanisms of functioning and development for mining geosystems, in particular, features of their origin, formation and disappearance were studied. Phases (stages) and variants of these evolutionary changes in the geosystems and the ratio for the dominant trends and migration flows were outlined. The patterns of natural and anthropogenic processes within the mining areas were revealed. Structural and geographical bases for the optimization of mining and industrial geosystems as a system of measures aimed at restoring and improving their productivity, economic, environmental and aesthetic value, the optimal reconstruction and planning around natural and economic systems were formulated. The main directions for the implementation of optimization measures for the effective implementation of production functions (agriculture or forestry), creation of recreational facilities, of historical monuments revalorization, etc. were defined.