In the article is shown the necessity of application of geographic information systems and remote sensing data for mapping chalk outcrops in Ukraine, especially on the territory of the National Nature Park «Dvorichanskyi» as well as the prospects of the creation of the National Park’s atlas. In addition, substantiated the expediency of protection complexes of Cretaceous deposits on other territories. GIS and remote sensing are identified as effective tools for selection and initial inventory chalk outcrops.
Methodological and technological re-equipment of modern mapping, in particular on the basis of GIS and remote sensing results to the identification of new methodological approaches to the using of cartographic methods in many fields. One of them is mapping of chalk outcrops and creation of the atlas National Park «Dvorichanskyi».
With chalk outcrops related specific vegetation, that is presented in the Ukrainian Green and Red Books. They include many endemic flora species that grow on the open chalk and chalk soils.
Unique, diverse flora and fauna of chalk outcrops has long attracted the attention of researchers. A variety of cartographic materials was created for the Park. Their creation accompanied the various stages of organization of National Nature Park and its research. The main problem is the fragmentation of cartographic material, that is presented in different formats (vector, raster data, graphic without the involvement of GIS, etc.) and unavailability of materials in a single source for using by all interested specialists.
There is a problem to systematize existing maps and create new maps that are required for full support of this organization. In order to bring together the available maps offered to create the atlas of the
National Nature Park «Dvorichanskyi» in three versions: paper, GIS and web versions.
Mapping support of chalk research was defined as full, comprehensive analysis of areas where common chalky outcrops; and the using of created geodata base is a promising base for further biological, environmental and, in general, inter-sectoral research. Maps that will be created during this research will be included in the Atlas of National Nature Park «Dvorichanskyi». Also these maps will be provided in the resources devoted to the study dissemination of chalky outcrops, flora and fauna of chalk steppes in Ukraine.
Keywords: chalk outcrop, geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing, an atlas, National Nature Park «Dvorichanskyi».