THE MAIN DIRECTIONS OF PALEOGEOGRAPHIC RESEARCH OF THE INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF UKRAINE

Study of the history of nature in the past are in the main directions of modern world scientific trends. In the sector of paleogeography of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine traditionally develop fundamental and applied aspects related to the study of late Cenozoic sediments. The subject of the works is related to the research of the history and stages of development of nature and its components on the territory of Ukraine in the Pliocene, Pleistocene and Holocene, as well as the reproduction of natural living conditions of ancient man. The publication focuses on the main directions and scientific results, achieved by the scientists of the Sector Paleogeography of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in recent years. In particular, the issue of the impact of global Pleistocene events on the state and evolution of the main components of nature of the territory of Ukraine has been studied; paleogeographic preconditions that contributed to the formation of certain types of sedimentary Cenozoic minerals in Ukraine are outlined; the main natural factors of the paleogeographic environment that influenced changes in human living conditions in Ukraine in the Pleistocene and Holocene are considered; changes in Pleistocene and Holocene soils in key areas of modern Ukraine have been reconstructed. Promising areas of investigation have been identified and an assessment of the possible applied use of the results of paleogeographic research has been made. Thus, the results of paleogeographic research, as well as professional services of paleogeographers can be used: to assess current climate change based on paleogeographic data; for geological additional research and rational use of the subsoil of Ukraine; to develop popular scientific and educational information on the paleogeographical features of the development of nature reserves and geological sites with tourist and recreational potential; to assess the current state and dynamics of spatio-temporal changes in environmental conditions based on paleogeographic analysis of the content of various substances in soils; during geoarchaeological, paleontological, soil research, etc.