Karst area of Zabučje-Gradina

Abstract

Karst areas of western Serbia, such as the Valjevo and Pešter karsts, are well known and researched, but there are smaller and less well-researched units, such as the Zabučje–Gradina karst unit. This paper presents the basic geomorphological characteristics of the Zabučje–Gradina karst unit. The focus of the research is on karstological characteristics, with a special emphasis on the distribution of sinkholes and valleys in the karst. Detailed analysis using GIS tools has enabled the definition and consideration of the processes that led to the creation of specific karst forms, including sinkholes and fossil valleys. The spatial distribution of sinkholes is also shown, as well as the relationship of their distribution to the slope of the terrain on which they are located. Analysis in QGIS has determined that, as in Miroč, sinkholes in this area are also located at small slope angles, up to 12° at most. In the research area, valleys are classified as active, dry and relict, and this characteristic and arrangement of them were used for further reconstruction of paleoflows. The existence of epigenetic incision of the Đetinja into the limestone bedrock was also established. Special emphasis was placed on speleological objects in the Drežnica Valley, such as the Potpećka, Pipalska and Todorova caves, which represent significant objects in the research of karst processes and karst hydrology of this area