Phys. Geog. Geom. 2025, 48(2): 31–39

https://doi.org/10.17721/phgg.2025.48.2/130.03

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Regional Features of Soil Degradation in Ukraine: Environmental Challenges and Ways to Overcome Them

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Oksana V. Braslavska, Tomas A. Rozhi, Oleh M. Hrytsyk

Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, Sadova str. 2, 20300, Uman, Ukraine

 

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of soil degradation processes in Ukraine, in particular the dehumification of chernozems, erosion, salinization, and agro-depletion, which pose a threat to the fertility and agrarian potential of the country. The impact of anthropogenic factors on the structural and aggregate composition and humus content in the soils of the central and southern regions is analyzed. The problem of soil degradation is one of the key environmental threats for Ukraine, as chernozems, which form the basis of agricultural production, are undergoing intensive depletion due to irrational land use. The reduction in humus content, erosion processes, and pollution with heavy metals limit land productivity and require the development of effective strategies for the preservation of soil resources. The aim of the work is to study the regional characteristics of degradation processes in Ukrainian chernozems, assess changes in their structural and aggregate composition, water stability, and humus content depending on the type of land use, as well as develop recommendations to slow down degradation and restore fertility. The research was conducted in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine on virgin soils, arable lands, and soils under shelterbelts. The soil key method was used for genetic and geographical analysis, and the soil regime observation method was applied to monitor moisture, temperature, and chemical composition. It was found that intensive agricultural use of chernozems leads to a decrease in the structural coefficient from 9.3 to 3.1, a reduction in the share of agronomically valuable aggregates to 75%, and a decline in water stability to 0.55, which increases the vulnerability of soils to erosion. Removing soils from agricultural use contributes to the restoration of structure, an increase in water stability to 0.86, and a rise in humus content to 9.22% in the upper layer. The development of chernozem soils under shelterbelts promotes an increase in the proportion of fine particles, while the structural coefficient decreases to 2.8, indicating a deterioration in stability. Erosion, salinization, and agro-depletion remain key factors of degradation. Further research should focus on studying the long-term impact of shelterbelts on soil structure, developing adapted soil protection technologies, and implementing contour-meliorative land management. It is also necessary to improve methods for monitoring degradation processes to forecast changes and develop strategies for sustainable land use.

Keywords

soil degradation, regions of Ukraine, ecology, technological load, soil erosion.

 

Received: March 19, 2025 / Accepted: December 29, 2025 / Published online: December 30, 2025