DIVERSITY OF DIFFERENTIATION OF SETTLEMENT LANDSCAPES

Abstract

The issues of differentiation of modern, predominantly anthropogenic landscapes have so far received little attention from physical geographers and landscape scientists. The aim is to analyze the publications available in Ukraine regarding the differentiation of modern landscapes, and, using settlement landscapes as an example, to substantiate the necessity of understanding their aboveground and underground levels of differentiation for further rational use. In the course of the study, the concept of interaction and interdependence between nature and humans was applied, as well as the doctrine of anthropogenic landscapes; the principles of historicism and natural–anthropogenic compatibility; methods of analysis of available materials and their generalization, modeling, and GIS technologies. The legitimate use of the conceptual and terminological apparatus in the process of understanding the differentiation of modern landscapes of Ukraine is considered, in particular the concepts of “altitudinal,” “plain,” “horizontal,” and “spatial” differentiation. It is shown that settlement landscapes have a much more complex and dynamic differentiation of landscape complexes than other anthropogenic landscapes, which requires, in addition to the above, the identification and detailed study of aboveground and underground levels of differentiation with their inherent processes. Attention is drawn to the transitional “isolation” structure between the aboveground and underground levels of differentiation of settlement landscapes, in which the history of their development is often reflected. It is noted that detailed studies of differentiation not only of settlement but also of other anthropogenic landscapes will be of significant importance in the process of their post-war landscape reconstruction, further rational use, and preservation.