Geoecological features of the formation and development of mining landscape-technical systems of Ukraine
Abstract
Purpose. To analyze the patterns of formation, structure, and functioning of mining landscape-technical systems of Ukraine, to identify their typological features, and to substantiate directions for their optimization and rational use under current geoecological challenges.
Methods. Historical-geographical approach, landscape-geomorphological analysis, cartographic modeling using GIS technologies (Google Earth), generalization method, and anthropogenic-landscape forecasting method.
Results: The mining territories of Ukraine represent complex landscape-technical systems formed as a result of long-term interaction between natural conditions and technogenic processes. These systems extend beyond the boundaries of mining and land allotments, encompassing extensive adjacent areas transformed by mining activities, including post-mining landscapes. It has been found that the dominant elements of these territories are geo-mining technical systems, whose structure includes natural, technological, and information blocks, while their functioning is associated with the movement of mineral matter and intensive geodynamic processes. It has been established that mining landscapes are formed under the influence of both open-pit and underground mining methods, which determines their morphological diversity (quarry-dump, subsidence-related, lake-wasteland, etc.). It has been proven that the Kryvyi Rih Landscape-Technical System (KLTS) serves as a unique testing ground for the formation of technogenic landscapes, where a wide range of their types is concentrated. It has been determined that anthropogenic landscapes occupy significant areas, forming a complex altitudinal-landscape structure with accumulative, denudation-accumulative, and denudation levels. It has been revealed that the intensive development of mining activities has led to substantial transformations of relief, the hydrological network, microclimate, soil cover, and vegetation of the region. The features of the Donetsk and Pre-Carpathian landscape-technical systems have been analyzed; they are characterized by a high level of anthropogenic pressure, significant disturbances of geosystems, activation of exogenous processes, and the formation of technogenic landforms. It has been established that within the Donbas region there is intensive soil and water pollution, disruption of the hydrogeological regime, and the emergence of hazardous geodynamic phenomena. The Pre-Carpathian region is characterized by slow processes of natural restoration of vegetation and soils, accompanied by significant mosaicity of the landscape structure. It has been identified that the formation of mining landscapes is accompanied by the development of negative natural-anthropogenic processes (erosion, karst, subsidence, flooding, pollution), which determine the current geoecological state of the territories. It has been substantiated that the optimization of mining territories should be based on a systemic approach, taking into account structural, functional, and dynamic characteristics of geosystems, and should include land reclamation, the development of geoecological monitoring, and rational environmental management.
Conclusions: The mining landscape-technical systems of Ukraine are complex natural-anthropogenic formations, whose functioning is determined by the interaction of natural factors and technogenic processes. They are characterized by significant transformation of natural components, the formation of specific morphological structures, and active migration of matter. The current state of these systems is associated with the development of geoecological problems, which necessitates the implementation of comprehensive optimization measures, including reclamation, monitoring, and rational resource use. The identified patterns of formation and development of mining landscapes should serve as a basis for further research and practical measures aimed at stabilizing and restoring disturbed territories.
Downloads
References
Baranovskyi, V. A. (2001). Ecological geography and ecological cartography. Kyiv: Fitosociocenter, 252 p. (in Ukrainian)
Gavrylenko, O. P. (2006). Some aspects of implementing the geoecological approach to rational region-al nature management. Ecology and Rational Nature Use: Collection of Scientific Works of Sumy State Pedagogical University named after A. S. Makarenko, 3–8. (in Ukrainian)
Gutsuliak, V. M. (2015). Landscape ecology. Kharkiv: V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 284 p. (in Ukrainian)
Denysyk, H. I., & Kopteva, T. S. (2021). Kryvyi Rih landscape-technical system: development, current state, and optimization paths. Physical Geography and Geomorphology, 105–107, 25–29. https://doi.org/10.17721/phgg.2021.1-3.03 (in English)
Denysyk, H. I., & Zadorozhnia, H. M. (2013). Derivative processes and phenomena in technogenic landscapes. Vinnytsia: Edelveis i K, (in Ukrainian)
Ivanov, Ye. A. (2012). Anthropogenization of landscapes: approaches, diagnostics, modeling. Scientific Bulletin of Chernivtsi University. Geography Series, 612–613, 54–59. (in Ukrainian)
Ivanov, Ye. A. (2009). Geocadastral studies of mining territories. Lviv: Ivan Franko National Universi-ty of Lviv Publishing Center, (in Ukrainian)
Ivanov, Ye. A. (2007). Landscapes of mining territories. Lviv: Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Publishing Center. (in Ukrainian)
Kiselov, Yu. O. (1999). Justification of geo-geomorphological analysis in studying landscapes of east-ern Ukraine. In Landscape as an integrating concept of the XXI century (pp. 128–130). Kyiv. (in Ukrainian)
Kozynska, I. P. (2009). Methods of studying mining landscapes. Scientific Notes of Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University. Geography Series, 18, 94–98. (in Ukrainian)
Koptieva, T. S. (2021). Mining landscapes of Kryvyi Rih landscape-technical system. Man and Envi-ronment. Problems of Neoecology, 35, 18–26. https://doi.org/10.26565/1992-4224-2021-35-02
Kulikovska, O. Ye. (2005). Modern aspects of monitoring anthropogenic landscapes of the Kryvyi Rih Basin. In Theoretical, regional, and applied directions of anthropogenic geography and landscape stud-ies (pp. 214). Kryvyi Rih. (in Ukrainian)
Landscape studies: state, problems, prospects. (2014). Proceedings of the International Scientific Con-ference (24–27 September 2014). Lviv: Ivan Franko National University Publishing Center. (in Ukrainian)
Koptieva, T., & Denysyk, B. (2021). Quarry and dump landscape systems of Kryvorizhzhia. SGEM 2020 Conference Proceedings, 665–670. https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2020/5.1/s20.082
Denysyk, H. I., Kazakov, V. P., & Yarkov, S. V. (2012). Syngenesis of vegetation cover in technogenic landscapes. Vinnytsia: Edelveis i K, (in Ukrainian)
Cherevatskyi, D., & Soldak, M. (2024). Three-dimensional brownfields: the tragedy of the mining communities. Journal of European Economy, 22, 556–570. https://doi.org/10.35774/jee2023.04.556
Orange, H. (2012). Cornish mining landscapes: public perceptions of industrial archaeology in a post-industrial society. Doctoral thesis, University College London.
Kopteva, T. S. (2025). Surface quarry-dump layer of mining landscapes of the Kryvyi Rih landscape-technical system. Landscape Studies, 7(1), 95–105. https://doi.org/10.31652/2786-5665-2025-7-95-105
Denysyk, H. I., & Kozynska, I. P. (2015). Industrial landscapes of uranium mining regions in Ukraine. Uman: Vizavi, (in Ukrainian)
Kravchenko, O. V., & Yevsieieva, O. V. (2020). Mining geoecology and geotechnologies: conceptual-ization and evaluation elements. Visnyk of Dnipro University. Series: Geology, Geography, 28(2), 112–120.
Sinha, N., Deb, D., & Pathak, K. (2017). Development of a mining landscape and assessment of its soil erosion potential using GIS. Engineering Geology, 216, 1–12.: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(16)30493-8
Pawlik, M., & Rudolph, T. (2024). Concept for long-term geo-monitoring of the post-mining environ-ment using the example of the Prosper-Haniel mine. E3S Web of Conferences, 526, 01009. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202452601009
Kumar, A., Singh, R. K., & others. (2023). A brief review paper on mining subsidence and its geo-environmental impact. Materials Today Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.04.183
Copyright (c) 2026 Koptieva, T. S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication of this work under the terms of a license Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
