The Man Who Spoke with Forests
1933 - 2019
To imagine botany simply as "the science of plants" is like calling Beethoven's symphony "a set of sounds." True botany, the one to which Yurii Romanovych Sheliag-Sosonko dedicated his life, is a complex philosophy of interconnections, evolution, and life cycles. Academician Sheliag-Sosonko did not just study plants - he deciphered complex ecosystem puzzles, understood the language of forests, and created theories that changed the understanding of the plant world of Ukraine and beyond.
"The forest is not a collection of trees, but a complex system of life, and Yurii Sheliag-Sosonko knew how to understand its language."
This outstanding scientist lived 87 years (10.01.1933 – 14.12.2019), leaving behind not just over 500 scientific works, but an entire scientific school and a fundamentally new approach to nature conservation 2 .
Yurii Sheliag-Sosonko belonged to the type of encyclopedic scientists whose interests covered many related disciplines: geobotany, phytocenology, floristics, phytogeography, phytosociology, ecology 2 . His scientific approach could be called "holistic" - he considered vegetation as an integral system, not as a set of individual species.
One of the most important theoretical developments of the scientist was the theory of formation of the cenopopulation structure of species 2 .
The classification of species and phytocenotypes developed by Sheliag-Sosonko allowed systematizing knowledge about plant communities at a fundamentally new level 2 .
He proposed a phytocenogenetic classification of vegetation and laid the foundations for evolutionary-cenotic study of plant formations 2 .
Under the leadership of Yurii Romanovych, the "Green Book of Ukraine" was compiled and published for the first time in the world, which initiated the Convention on Biological Diversity 2 . This was not just a list of rare plants - it was a fundamentally new system for protecting valuable plant communities, many of which are unique to the territory of Ukraine.
First in the world
Plant communities protected
Inspired Convention on Biodiversity
Provided legal basis for conservation
The "Green Book" became a kind of "constitution" for botanical communities, which provided the legal basis for their preservation. This work demonstrates how fundamental science can directly influence the practice of nature conservation.
One of the key studies conducted by Sheliag-Sosonko was a comprehensive study of Ukrainian oak forests and their evolution 2 . This work became a classic of domestic geobotany and demonstrated the scientist's scientific approach in action.
The phased research methodology included:
Selection of test sites in different regions of Ukraine where oak forests grow. Sites were chosen to represent various ecological conditions and forest types.
Detailed inventory of floristic composition at each site with recording of all plant species, their age status, projective cover and other parameters.
Analysis of physical and chemical characteristics of soil to identify correlations between environmental conditions and composition of plant communities.
Study of cenopopulation structure of main species using the method of transects and square frames to assess density, age structure and spatial distribution of populations.
Comparative-evolutionary analysis of obtained data for reconstruction of the history of oak forest formation in different regions.
The study revealed patterns of oak forest formation in the territory of Ukraine and their evolutionary relationships. The scientist established that Ukrainian oak forests are not a homogeneous formation, but consist of a number of types, each with its own characteristics of formation and development.
| Type of Oak Forest | Distribution | Characteristic Species | Cenopopulation Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nemoral | Polissia and forest-steppe | St. John's wort, lily of the valley | Complex, multi-level |
| Steppe | Southern regions | Feather grass, fescue | Simplified, uniform |
| Mountain | Carpathians | Beech elements | Vertically differentiated |
| Valley | River floodplains | Willow, poplar | Fragmented, unstable |
Table 1: Main types of Ukrainian oak forests studied by Sheliag-Sosonko
| Evolution Stage | Characteristics | Formation Time | Anthropogenic Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant | Stable cenoses | Holocene | Minimal |
| Transformational | Structure change | Historical time | Moderate |
| Degradational | Cenosis destruction | Modern times | Intensive |
| Restorative | Element reproduction | Perspective | Regulated |
Table 2: Evolutionary stages of oak forest development according to Sheliag-Sosonko
The work of a geobotanist requires not only knowledge but also special research methods. Sheliag-Sosonko developed a whole arsenal of scientific approaches that allowed his school to achieve impressive results.
| Method/Tool | Function and Application | Scientific Value |
|---|---|---|
| Paradigmatic analysis of geobotanical knowledge | Systematization of theoretical base | Creation of holistic methodology |
| Phytocenogenetic classification | Grouping vegetation by evolutionary-genetic characteristics | Reflection of historical development of cenoses |
| Cenopopulation analysis | Study of population structure of species | Revealing mechanisms of cenosis functioning |
| "Green Book of Ukraine" | Protection of rare plant communities | Practical application of theoretical developments |
Table 3: Key research tools in Sheliag-Sosonko's work
Yurii Sheliag-Sosonko not only made discoveries himself but also created a powerful scientific school. Under his guidance, 8 doctors and 37 candidates of biological sciences defended their dissertations 2 . His students today continue to develop the ideas of their teacher, making his heritage truly alive and active.
The scientific geobotanical school founded by Sheliag-Sosonko is recognized by the world scientific community 2 . This recognition testifies that his works have not only national but also universal significance.
"As colleagues from Ternopil National Pedagogical University note, 'this is a great loss for the entire botanical science of Ukraine, Europe and the world' 2 . But they also emphasize that 'as long as there are scientists like Academician Yurii Romanovych Sheliag-Sosonko, and his grateful students, Ukrainian science will never cease to flourish' 2 ."
Yurii Romanovych Sheliag-Sosonko was a scientist who was able to see entire ecosystems behind individual plants, historical evolution behind the current state, and complex internal mechanisms of functioning behind the external appearance. His works at the intersection of geobotany, phytocenology, ecology and nature conservation created an integral scientific concept that continues to influence the development of botany not only in Ukraine but throughout the world.
The memory of this outstanding botanist-scientist, public figure, man of honor will forever remain in the hearts of his relatives, friends, colleagues and students 2 . And his scientific ideas will continue to live in the works of followers and in the forests of Ukraine preserved thanks to him.