Abstract:

This paper explains the constituent factors comprising ecological geologys field of study and determines the correlation of ecological geology to geoecology. The theoretical basis of ecological geologyclassification of the ecological functions of the lithosphere is exposed. Ecological geologys object of study is expressed as the ecological geological systems found within a specific volume of the lithosphere and acting in or on its surface biota, including human beings and society. Contents of the four types of ecological geological systems—natural real, natural ideal, natural technical ideal, and natural technical real—are characterized. The position of the ecological geological system in the structure of ecosystem is presented. Factors of ecological geological systems formation, substantial typical and scientific tasks relevant to their investigation, the whole range of criteria and indices necessary under ecological geological systems investigation, and complications arising in their study are described.

Key words:  , ecological geology, ecological geological systems, ecosystem, ecological geological conditions and factors of their formation, criteria and indices of the ecological geological systems evaluation