The problem associated with the spread of Sosnovskyi hogweed (Heracleum sosnovskyi), in the mountainous geosystems of the Ukrainian-Polish border

The article highlights the problem of spreading of the invasive species Heracleum sosnovskyi in mountainous geosystems in the border district of Turka in the Lviv region of Ukraine particularly along the border with Poland. The aim of the article was to investigate the areas covered and peculiarities of the spread of Heracleum sosnovskyi. The research methodology consisted of three consecutive steps: preparation, field work, and cameral. The following general scientific methods were used: system analysis and synthesis, comparison, ranking, and the special methods of geoecological studies: field, cartographic, drone survey and photofixation. During the field studies, we sampled seven model areas, representing mountain geosystems with different types of economic use and the presence of Heracleum sosnovskyi: - river valleys, uncultivated agricultural land, narrow strips along roads, abandoned territories. In one of the model areas, a drone survey was conducted, on the basis of which we charted a map presented in the article. We also analysed the stock data and the current state of distribution of the spread Heracleum sosnovskyi in village councils and in the region as a whole. The main problem with the uncontrolled spread of Heracleum sosnovskyi in Turka district is the lack of true data as to the extent of the environmental disaster and the absence of a systematic and planned fight control measures. The article describes the main recommendations for the effective control fight against of this invasive species using foreign experience.