ТРАНСФОРМОВАНІ ЛАНДШАФТИ СТЕПУ "ПАНТАЛИХА" МЕЛІОРАТИВНИМ ПРИРОДОКОРИСТУВАННЯМ: КАРТОГРАФІЧНИЙ СУПРОВІД»

A historical and geographical excursion into the problem of economic development of meadow-steppe landscapes between the Seret and Strypa rivers in Western Podillia from the end of the 18th century to the present has been carried out. The evolution of unique landscapes in the process of their economic development has been analyzed, which is reflected in the presented cartographic materials. The analysis of the theoretical and methodological foundations of landscape science, geoecology, hydro melioration, and soil science has made it possible to highlight the theoretical and applied aspects of the research algorithm. The emphasis modeled in the publication is oriented towards highlighting the positive and negative consequences of drainage and reclamation works in the unique landscape meadow-marsh complex of the steppe "Pantalykha.". The impact of drainage hydro melioration on the landscape-forming processes of water circulation of this territory, changes in landscape components (hydrological, soil, plant life, animal population), and in general, the mass drainage of these landscapes in the 60s and 90s of the 20th century radically changed their functional properties within the river-basin systems. Within their boundaries, water volumes accumulated, which, due to the peculiarities of the territory's orography and the peculiarities of the lithogenic base, regulated the water content and hydrological regime of the base rivers throughout the year through numerous streams and rivulets. Today, the landscape systems of the reclaimed territories experience the "so-called remote" consequences of total melioration. The reference melioration system "Strypa-Seret" with an area of 3900 hectares within the territory of the "Pantalykha" steppe with the center in the village of Pantalykha, Ternopil district, was analyzed. Drainage is carried out by potter's drainage. The predominant type of land in the reclamation system is arable land. Due to the long-term operation and silting of potter's systems, in some places, repeated waterlogging and excessive moistening of certain areas are observed. It is noted that the drainage of lands with a soil type of water supply leads to a decrease in the groundwater level not only in the drained territory, but also in adjacent lands, and thus drainage affects the ecology of associated biocenoses. It is concluded that the implementation of drainage and reclamation works has led to the loss of a unique natural complex, including the natural properties of virgin black soils. It is proven how the drainage and reclamation of interfluves has negatively affected the current hydro-ecological state of the Seret and Strypa basins. Keywords: landscape complex "Pantalykha", anthropization, changes in water supply, loss of unique biodiversity.