Physical geography and geomorphology, 46, 1–6 (117–122), 60–60

https://doi.org/10.17721/phgg.2023.1-6.07

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In memory of Mykhailo Dmytrovych Grodzynskyi

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HRODZYNSKYI Mykhailo Dmytrovych (July 11, 1957, Kyiv – July 21, 2022, Burgas, Bulgaria; buried in Kyiv) — a physical geographer and landscape scientist. Doctor of Geographical Sciences (1994), Professor (1997), Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2010). Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology (2015).

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He graduated from Kyiv University (1979), where he worked from 1981; from 1995 to 2022 he was Head of the Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology.

From 1996 to 2022, he was Chairman of the Ukrainian Association of Landscape Ecologists. He was also a member of the National Committee of Ukraine for the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” Programme and served as a representative of the Government of Ukraine at the Council of Europe in the development of the European Landscape Convention.

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On 11 July 2023, a memorial scientific and educational conference entitled “Scientific Readings on Contemporary Geoecology Dedicated to the Memory of Academician Mykhailo Hrodzynskyi” was held at the Faculty of Geography of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, marking the scholar’s birthday.

The life and career of Mykhailo Dmytrovych were inextricably linked with the Faculty of Geography of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. It was here that, after completing his studies at the Department of Physical Geography in 1979, he graduated with honors. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies and, in 1983, successfully defended his Candidate’s dissertation entitled “Geosystems of the Western Part of the Plain Crimea, Their Dynamics and Resistance to Irrigation Reclamation.” Later, in 1994, he defended his doctoral dissertation, “The Stability of Geosystems under Anthropogenic Loads.”

Throughout his career at his alma mater, Mykhailo Dmytrovych followed a distinguished path of professional advancement, holding the positions of Junior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, Head of Laboratory, Associate Professor, Professor, and ultimately Head of the Department of Physical Geography and Geoecology, from the time of its establishment until the end of his life.

He exemplified the model of a modern scholar who clearly perceived the essence of science and its future prospects. As such, he became the undisputed leader of the Ukrainian school of landscape ecology and gained recognition far beyond the borders of Ukraine. His scientific ideas received broad acknowledgment, and interest in his publications continues to grow. This is particularly true of his work on methods of landscape-ecological forecasting, the determination of permissible levels of anthropogenic pressure on geosystems, as well as approaches to assessing the criticality of landscape states and evaluating the probability and consequences of environmental risks.

Mykhailo Dmytrovych was an exceptionally яркою, талановитою, intelligent, kind, and sincere individual, who enjoyed great authority and respect among his colleagues, as he was always willing to share his extensive life and professional experience. He skillfully combined his scientific work with teaching activities. Under his supervision, numerous Candidate’s and Doctoral dissertations were completed. His students now work both in Ukraine and abroad, advancing innovations in natural and humanistic geography and geoecology, having inherited from him the ability to defend their positions in both professional and academic contexts.

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The bright memory of Mykhailo Dmytrovych—our colleague, a distinguished scholar in landscape science and landscape ecology, and a member of the editorial board of the journal “Physical Geography and Geomorphology”—will forever remain in our hearts.