The article proposes a methodological approach to a comprehensive assessment of anthropogenic load on lands and landscapes of Cherkasy region based on the analysis of the land use structure and using GIS technologies (QGIS). The need to use an integral indicator that takes into account the varying degrees of influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the ecological state of the territory is substantiated. The assessment system includes indicators of agricultural development, plowing, the ratio of destabilizing and environmentally stabilizing lands, soil quality, the share of forests, water bodies, built-up areas, unsuitable lands and lands of the nature reserve fund.
The results of the study showed that the highest level of anthropogenic load is characteristic of Uman, Zvenigorod and Zolotonish districts, while Cherkasy district has the lowest integral indicator. An average level of anthropogenic load was established for the region as a whole. Based on the results obtained, clustering of administrative districts and zoning of the territory by the level of anthropogenic load were carried out.
It has been established that the decisive factor in the anthropogenic transformation of landscapes in the Cherkasy region is intensive agricultural land use – primarily the high proportion of plowed land and an unbalanced agricultural land-use structure. The proposed approach can be used for environmental monitoring, land-use optimization, and the development of regional sustainable development strategies.
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