Investigation of natural environment by space means. Geobotany, Geomorphology, soil sciences, agricultural lands, landscape study

Reports given by Soviet specialists at a meeting of Socialist countries on remote sensing of the earth using aerospace methods are presented

Water infiltration affected by different land use types and soil texture in temperate climate

Surface soil hydrological properties like water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity have important consequences for hydrological properties of soils in river basins and their knowledge is needed for sound land management, as well as flood risk prevention. They are very dynamic properties due to varying land use management practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two land uses (native meadow and arable) on surface (0–30 cm) infiltration characteristics of a silty clay loam and sandy loam soils at three sites in the Kolubara river valley and the Nišava river valley, respectivelly, with temperate climate, Serbia. A site consisted of two adjacent but different land uses on the same soil types. For each land use, water infiltration rates were measured in triplicate using double ring infiltrometer. Particle size distribution, bulk density and soil organic matter content of the surface soil were determined. Experimental measurements in the field indicated that treatments significantly influenced water infiltration characteristics on both locations. At both site the infiltration rates showed a decrease as a function of elapsed time. Steady state infiltration rate and cumulative infiltration of sandy loam-textured soils under the meadows were much lower than that for the arable soils. By contrast, the infiltration capacity and cumulative infiltration of silty clay loam soils under the meadows was significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to arable soils. Increase in infiltration capacity of arable soils were related to decrease in bulk density. In addition, in tilled sandy loam soil infiltration was much higher than in silty clay loam soil. However, infiltration in a silty clay loam under meadow was lower compared with sandy loam soil. According to the results of our study it could be concluded that the land use change infiltration properties of surface soil and consequently may alter the water balance of the area by changing the amount of surface runoff and soil water retention. Knowledge of how management practices affect infiltration capacity can aid growers in reducing soil quality and degradation

Land degradation neutrality in Serbia

Land degradation neutrality (LDN) is defined as a state whereby the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified temporal and spatial scales. This concept is a part of sustainable development goal 15 of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. Target 15.3 aims to combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world by 2030. The achievement of this target is measured through indicator called “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area”. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) endorsed SDG target 15.3 and the concept of land degradation neutrality as a strong vehicle for the implementation of the Convention. Countries are invited to formulate voluntary targets to achieve LDN. UNCCD provide guidance for formulating national voluntary targets and facilitate utilization of the UNCCD indicator framework. Republic of Serbia has ratified Convention in 2007 and actively works on LDN target setting process. This paper aims to present: (a) the basic principles of LDN concept, (b) global datasets provided by UNCCD, (c) SWOT analysis for the country, and (d) to discuss possible national datasets and further activities related to LDN. Indicator “Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area” is measured by means of three subindicators: land cover, land productivity and soil organic carbon. This indicator framework could be broaden with national indicators by decision of the country. Country has been provided by global data on land cover from European Space Agency (ESA). Land productivity dynamics (LPD) dataset was prepared by Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, while soil organic carbon (SOC) dataset was provided by ISRIC. Watershed boundaries are provided from FAO GAUL network. Net area change as a result of comparison between two periods for land covers change and SOC, while LPD is obtained as a trend for the 15 years period. ESA land cover data are given for the two epochs, around 2000 and 2010. These data indicate the loss of 3,800 ha of forests and their conversion to croplands or shrubs. National datasets on land cover exist but their utilization is constrained with the necessity to have dataset for two period of time and to have regular acquisition of future data which are necessary for further analysis and monitoring. Land productivity dynamics data indicated that 5% of the Serbian territory has negative trends in land productivity for the period 1998-2013. There are no national data on LPD obtained according to LDN concept. Soil organic carbon for the country indicates average content of 82.2 t/ha. National data on SOC stocks exist in the databases of relevant institutions but the problems in their utilization are related to the fact that they are sometimes very old, rarely geo-referenced, and obtained by various analytical and terrain procedures. Hence, global data on SOC stocks do not present real country situation, while national SOC stocks data should be systematized to be confident. Indicator analysis at watershed level has recognized the watersheds of Great Morava, Tisa, Sava 3 and South Morava and Nisava rivers, as four watersheds which present 50% of degraded areas according to the proposed methodology. These watersheds should be prone to detailed analysis of around 20 potential hotspots are found in the country. LDN baseline is not yet decided on a country level. Global land cover and land productivity dynamics data will be used until we obtain national data for these indicators. SOC national data should be systematized and used instead of global data. Further activities in LDN target setting process are related to the establishment of LDN baseline, analysis of land degradation trends and drivers, and suggestion of possible national voluntary targets and associated measures at the country, local and/or watershed level. The inclusion of national indicators should be further discussed. LDN concept should be strongly lead by the Government of Republic of Serbia. Hence, Serbian UNCCD NAP document should be finalized, adopted by the Government and LDN embedded into the NAP

Classification of Rendzina soils in Serbia according to the WRB system

According to soil classification system used in Serbia (Škorić, Ćirić and Filipovski, 1985) Rendzina is a soil type within the order of automorphic soils and the class of humus-accumulative soils with an Amo-AmoC-C-R profile, which is developed on parent rock containing more than 20% of calcareous material. Rendzinas are divided onto subtypes - according to the parent material: (i) marl, marly limestone and soft limestone, (ii) loess and loess like sediments, (iii) dolomite sand, (iv) moraine; on varieties - according to stadium of evolution: (i) calcareous, (ii) decarbonated, (iii) brunified, (iv) colluvial, and forms - according to texture and coarse fragments content. Throughout the world, the term Rendzina (and Pararendzina) is used to denote soils formed on different calcareous parent material and it generally corresponds with Rendzic Leptosol of the WRB soil classification system. Rendzinas on marl, marly limestone and soft limestone is the most widespread subtype in Serbia, and the aim of this study was to precisely classify it according to the WRB 2015 system. Total of 29 Rendzina soil profiles from different parts of Serbia were studied. Field and laboratory investigations (soil depth, colour, coarse fragments, texture, structure, pH, soil organic carbon, base saturation) were determined using methods recommended by the WRB system (except for base saturation, where BaCl2, pH 8.1, was used instead of NH4OAc, pH 7). According to soil classification system used in Serbia, from total of 21 soil profiles on soft limestone, 16 were calcareous variety (form: 8 loamy, low or medium skeletal and 1 clay, medium skeletal); 13 decarbonated variety (loamy, low skeletal); and 2 colluvial variety (loamy, low skeletal); and 8 profiles on marl of which 7 were calcareous variety (loamy, low or medium skeletal), and 1 profile was decarbonated variety (loamy, low skeletal). According to WRB 2015 system, investigated Rendzinas were classificated to RSG of Leptosols (12 profiles), Regosols (10 profiles) and Phaeozems (7 profiles). Leptosols include Rendzinas with A-R soil profile, where continuous rock (10 profiles on soft limestone and 2 profiles on marl) starting ≤15-25 cm from the soil surface. For calcareous Rendzina variety, combinations of the principal qualifiers were: Rendzic, Rendzic Calcaric, and Skeletic Calcaric. The decarbonated variety matched the diagnostic criteria for the Eutric principal qualifier. The supplementary qualifiers for Leptosols were Loamic or Clayic, Aric and Humic. Renzinas deeper than 25 cm, usually with A-AC-R soil profile, having a mollic diagnostic horizon were classified to RSG of Phaeozems. For calcareous Rendzinas variety, combinations of the principal qualifiers were: Rendzic Calcaric or Rendzic Skeletic Calcaric. The decarbonated Rendzinas variety only matched criteria for the Leptic principal qualifier. Loamic and Aric supplementary qualifiers were added to Phaeozems. RSG of Regosols includes Rendzinas thicker than 25 cm, usually with A-AC-R soil profile, when surface horizon does not match diagnostic criteria of a mollic horizon (in slightly crushed samples a Munsell colour value of ≥3 moist, and ≤ 5 dry, and a chroma of ≥4 moist). Surface horizons were more than 20 cm deep (except for 2 profiles) and had over 0.6% (1.1-4.6%) soil organic carbon. For calcareous Rendzinas variety combinations of the principal qualifiers were: Leptic Calcaric or Leptic Skeletic Calcaric. For Colluvial Rendzinas variety (all calcareous) combination of the principal qualifiers was: Leptic Colluvic Calcaric. Loamic and Aric and/or Humic supplementary qualifiers were used for Regosols. Soil depth caused the first differentiation between Leptosols and Phaeozems, and soil (moist) colour caused the second differentiation between Phaeozems and Regosols. Somewhat brighter soil colour of Rendzina/Regosols is a result of low soil organic matter content and/or high content of calcaric material in the fine earth

Agroecological Approaches for Soil Health and Water Management

In the last century, innovations in agricultural technologies centered on maximizing food production to feed the growing population have contributed to significant changes in agroecosystem processes, including carbon, nutrients, and water cycling. There are growing concerns regarding soil fertility depletion, soil carbon loss, greenhouse gas emissions, irrigational water scarcity, and water pollution, affecting soil health, agricultural productivity, systems sustainability, and environmental quality. Soils provide the foundation for food production, soil water and nutrient cycling, and soil biological activities. Therefore, an improved understanding of biochemical pathways of soil organic matter and nutrient cycling, microbial community involved in regulating soil health, and soil processes associated with water flow and retention in soil profile helps design better agricultural systems and ultimately support plant growth and productivity. This book, Agroecological Approaches in Soil and Water Management, presents a collection of original research and review papers studying physical, chemical, and biological processes in soils and discusses multiple ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, nutrients and water cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and agro-environmental sustainability. We covered tillage, nutrients, irrigation, amendments, crop rotations, crop residue management practices for improving soil health, soil C and nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, soil water dynamics, and hydrological processes

Radioactive Waste

The safe management of nuclear and radioactive wastes is a subject that has recently received considerable recognition due to the huge volume of accumulative wastes and the increased public awareness of the hazards of these wastes. This book aims to cover the practice and research efforts that are currently conducted to deal with the technical difficulties in different radioactive waste management activities and to introduce to the non-technical factors that can affect the management practice. The collective contribution of esteem international experts has covered the science and technology of different management activities. The authors have introduced to the management system, illustrate how old management practices and radioactive accident can affect the environment and summarize the knowledge gained from current management practice and results of research efforts for using some innovative technologies in both pre-disposal and disposal activities

Postsocialist Shrinking Cities

This book provides a comparative analysis of shrinking cities in a broad range of postsocialist countries within the so-called Global East, a liminal space between North and South. While shrinking cities have received increased scholarly attention in the past decades, theoretical, and empirical research has remained predominantly centered on the Global North. This volume brings to the fore a range of new perspectives on urban shrinkage, identifying commonalities, differences, and policy experiences across a very diverse and vivid region with its various legacies and contemporary controversial developments. With chapters written by leading experts in the field, insider views assist in decolonizing urban theory. Specifically, the book includes chapters on shrinking cities in China, Russia, and postsocialist Europe, presenting comparative discussions within countries and crossnational cases on theoretical and policy implications. The book will be of interest to students and scholars researching urban studies, urban geography, urban planning, urban politics and policy, urban sociology, and urban development

Evolution of the rural landscape of Ysyk-Kul Oblast, Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

This reversion is a cause for concern for the future as such a reversion is not oriented to either a national or international economic system.In 1990 the Republic of Kyrgyzstan became an independent nation. Prior to 1990 it had experienced a long and varied political and cultural history, most recently as a republic of the Soviet Union, but prior to that as an important region along the Silk Road between Asia and the Mediterranean. In 1990, upon independence, it embarked upon a program of decollectivisation, privatization and transformation to a market economy. To date, academic research has focussed on the transformation in the context of differing economic systems and changes in political hegemony. In this study the effects of cultural traits and habits are posited as the major influences on geographical landscape change. To investigate whether this is so, the factors that influence the cultural development of Kyrgyzstan were examined for one oblast, Ysyk-Kul Oblast. These include historical development and organization, changing land use, demographic trends and characteristics, changing land tenure, and current and residual visual landscape elements. It is suggested that there were four major periods of cultural influence, each separated by a major cultural paradigm shift. These were traditional Kyrgyz culture, Russian settlement, Soviet hegemony and independent Kyrgyzstan.It was found that in the current land use and resultant landscape there is evidence of a number of processes that can best be explained by cultural forces and factors acting in the landscape. Moreover there is evidence that as a result of the last period of decollectivisation, privatization and change to a market economy there is the reversion to earlier cultural traits. Most noticeably, as a result of this external stress, there is a trend toward historic livestock breeds, long lot systems of land tenure and cultivation, the choice of subsistence crops such as the potato, and farm organization along cultural (patriarchal) and tribal divisions

Water productivity indices of the soybean grown on silty clay soil under sprinkler irrigation

The objective of this research was to compare the effects of different irrigation treatments on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] productivity and water use efficiency on experimental fields of the Maize Research Institute of Zemun Polje(Serbia), in 2007 and 2008. Four irrigation levels were investigated: full irrigation (I100), 65% and 40% of I100 (I65 and I40) and a rain-fed (I0) system. The crop water use efficiency (CWUE, also known as crop water productivity –CWP), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and evapotranspiration water use efficiency (ETWUE) were used to assess the water productivity of each studied treatment. The efficiency of the same treatment differed between the years as it depended on seasonal water availability, weather conditions and their impact on seed yields. Maximum and minimum yields were obtained in the I65 and I0 treatments, averaging 3.41 t ha–1 and 2.26 t ha–1, respectively. Water use efficiency values were influenced by the irrigation levels. In general, CWUE values increased with the increased level of irrigation. In both growing seasons, IWUE and ETWUE decreased with increasing the seasonal water consumption and irrigation depth. On average, treatments I40 and I65 resulted in similar or higher CWUE and ETWUE than I100, in both growing seasons. I65 resulted in the highest IWUE, averaged over the two seasons, while I100 had the lowest IWUE. I65 could be proper for the soybean irrigated in Vojvodina when there is no water shortage and I45 could be used as a good basis for reduced sprinkler irrigation strategy development under water shortage

Postsocialist Shrinking Cities

This book provides a comparative analysis of shrinking cities in a broad range of postsocialist countries within the so-called Global East, a liminal space between North and South. While shrinking cities have received increased scholarly attention in the past decades, theoretical, and empirical research has remained predominantly centered on the Global North. This volume brings to the fore a range of new perspectives on urban shrinkage, identifying commonalities, differences, and policy experiences across a very diverse and vivid region with its various legacies and contemporary controversial developments. With chapters written by leading experts in the field, insider views assist in decolonizing urban theory. Specifically, the book includes chapters on shrinking cities in China, Russia, and postsocialist Europe, presenting comparative discussions within countries and crossnational cases on theoretical and policy implications. The book will be of interest to students and scholars researching urban studies, urban geography, urban planning, urban politics and policy, urban sociology, and urban development