Information on the thesis

Dissertation for acquiring the Degree of Candidate of Geographical Sciences,
specialty 11.00.05 — biogeography and geography of soils. Lviv National University
named after Ivan Franko, Lviv, 2015.
The dissertation presents results of research on soil formation processes taking
place  on  the  Zmiiny  island,  their  geographic  and  genetic  peculiarities,  as  well  as
outlines contemporary soil evolution tendencies.
The soil formation potential and peculiarities of the natural factors existing on
the  island  have  been  characterized.  The  crucial  role  of  the  untouched  steppe
vegetation and significant potential of the solid acid rocks, as well as their weathering
crust, has been established (in particular respect to the black soil formation).
The  spatial  differences  of  the  soil  formation  conditions  and  processes
predefined by their geomorphological, hypsometric, slope, and exposition belonging
have been analyzed. It became evident that these spatial differences impact level and
exposition differences in conditions and processes of the soil formation, as well as
influence  morphology,  chemical  composition, peculiarities,  and  bio-productivity  of
the  soils  allocated  on  island.  The  separate  researches  conducted  on  the  humus
conditions of the island black soils, as well as on the optic peculiarities of their humic
acids, demonstrate black soil nature of the both humus composition and island soils
in  general.  Apart  from  this,  humus  composition  and  soils  on  the  island  are
significantly influenced by the acid chemical composition of the soil-forming rocks,
salinity, and alkalinity of soils.
There  has  been  established  the  general  pattern  and  progression  of  the  soil
formation on the solid island rocks starting from the stage of soil weathering up to the
formation  of  primitive  and  black  soils.  Apart  from  this,  there  has  been  uncovered
geographic  and  genetic  peculiarities  and  spatial  differences  of  the  primitive-  and
black soils formation, as well as their elementary soil formation processes: underlay
formation,  humus  formation,  humus  accumulation,  salinization,  alkalinization,  and
others. The tendencies of contemporary soil formation and soil evolution have been
described with particular attention given to the irreversible and gradual development
of the peculiarities and characteristics of the black soils.
Two possible scenarios for the further soil formation processes on the island
have  been  outlined.  The  first  is  ecologically  optimistic  and  relies  upon  the
preservation of the existing steppe vegetation. The second is ecologically threatening
and  risks  to  emerge  on  the  areas  of  increased  anthropogenic  influence,  noticeable
alterations and modifications, and significant contamination of the surface and soils.
The  schematic  map  presenting  directions  of  soil  formation  and  soil  evolution  has
been  created.  The  strategy  of  actions,  as  well  as  priority  economic  activities  have
been suggested to preserve the unique steppe nature and soils of Zmiiny island.
Key Words: Zmiiny island, soil formation, processes of primitive- and black
soil formation, elementary soil formation processes, predictions of soil formation and
soil evolution.