Geosite Assessment Using Three Different Methods; a Comparative Study of the Krupaja and the Zagubica Springs - Hydrological Heritage of Serbia

Hydrological heritage is a relatively new concept in the field of geosite assessment. The principal aim of this study is to apply M-GAM (Modified geosite assessment model) for comparative analysis of the Krupaja spring and the Zagubica (Mlava) spring, located in Homolje area, in Eastern Serbia. According to the classification of geosites of Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, these sites are on the list of protected sites ("hydro(geo)logical" heritage sites) of extraordinary national importance; however, they still have not gained necessary recognition in Serbia. Thus, their assessment according to different target groups should provide a clearer picture of their current condition. As M-GAM considers that not all indicators for evaluation of geosites are of the same importance, this paper applies two methods for comparing and determining the importance of indicators and subindicators in the model (Analytical-hierarchy process (AHP) and descriptive statistics conducted by SPSS). Also, it is assumed that different target groups will give different importance to some indicators in the model, which would result in various evaluation scores for the same geosites. The paper also provides a comparative analysis of the assessment carried out by two different target groups - potential geotourists and geoexperts. The results obtained by AHP and descriptive statistics are quite similar, which confirms the reliability of respondents' answers and the results gained. The analyzed sites are differently positioned in the evaluation matrix, and implications are further discussed in the paper

How Can Tufa Deposits Contribute to the Geotourism Offer? The Outcomes from the First UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia

The study focuses on the present state and the assessments of geotourism development of the two most representative tufa deposits in the Djerdap National Park—the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia. The findings were designated through implementing the freshly upgraded methodology—M-GAM-1-2 based on an early modified geosites assessment model (M-GAM). To overcome the limitations of the previous model, the authors implemented additional enhancements and involved members of the local community (residents and authorities) in the study to comprehensively evaluate the observed sites. The outcomes revealed that the attitudes of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration in order to develop geotourism properly, additionally attract visitors, and preserve tufa deposits for future generations of locals and visitors. Moreover, geotourism at the observed sites can be one of the vital activities of the population, as well as a type of compensation for various limitations in the development, which are imposed by the regimes of natural and cultural heritage protection within the recently established UNESCO Global Geopark

Rainfall erosivity and extreme precipitation in the Pannonian basin

In order to assess the rainfall erosivity in the Pannonian basin, several parameters which describe distribution, concentration and variability of precipitation were used, as well as 9 extreme precipitation indices. The precipitation data is obtained from the European Climate Assessment and Dataset project for the period 1961-2014, for 8 meteorological stations in northern Serbia, 5 in Hungary and 1 in eastern Croatia. The extreme values of precipitation were calculated following the indices developed by the ETCCDI. RclimDex software package was used for indices calculation. Based on statistical analysis and the calculated values, the results have been presented with Geographic Information System (GIS) to point out the most vulnerable parts of the Pannonian basin, with regard to pluvial erosion. This study presents the first result of combined rainfall erosivity and extreme precipitation indices for the investigated area. Results of PCI indicate presence of moderate precipitation concentration (mean value 11.6). Trend analysis of FI (mean value 22.7) and MFI (mean value 70.2) implies a shift from being largely in the low erosivity class, to being completely in the moderate erosivity class in the future, thus indicating an increase in rainfall erosivity for most of the investigated area (except in the northwestern parts). Furthermore, the observed precipitation extremes suggest that both the amount and the intensity of precipitation are increasing. The knowledge about the areas affected by strong soil erosion could lead to introducing effective measures in order to reduce it. Long term analysis of rainfall erosivity is a significant step concerning flood prevention, hazard mitigation, ecosystem services, land use change and agricultural production

Conservation of Geomorpological Heritage in the Homolje Area (Eastern SERBIA) - Current State and Perspectives

Homolje is one of the most developed geomorphological areas in Eastern Serbia. Shallow karsts prevail across this region with cover vegetation and soil, with developed surfaces, and underground karst landforms. This type of terrain leads to the occurrence of different geomorphological landforms that stand out from the rest, primarily for their scientific, aesthetic and ecological value, uses, and tourism potential. Gorges can be singled out as the largest geosites, then uvalas, caves, karst bridges, and tufa accumulations. Two are on the National list of geoheritage of Serbia as protected natural monuments. As geoheritage protects only authentic and representative landforms, the main task of this paper is to point out the most significant measures to improve the unsatisfactory current state of geomorphosites of the Homolje area and possible solutions for their conservation, adequate use and better tourism promotion. This paper presents a review of geomorphological heritage in this region of Serbia with a focus on its conservation

What are the Factors affecting Tourist Behavior based on the Perception of Risk? Romanian and Serbian Tourists’ Perspective in the Aftermath of the recent Floods and Wildfires in Greece

During the summer season 2018 and 2019, natural hazards (namely, floods and wildfires) have occurred at some of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, endangering tourists’ safety and vacation quality. These have influenced tourists’ perception of Greece as a “potentially risky destination”, causing a decrease in the number of tourists willing to visit this country. However, the current study assumes that some tourists will show more courageous travel behavior in the aftermath of natural hazards, while others will remain cautious when deciding to travel to risky destinations. Therefore, the questionnaire on a sample group of 431 respondents from Serbia and Romania was conducted to explore the factors influencing such differences. The study aims to explore whether tourists’ individual characteristics influence tourism worries and tourist behavior based on perceived risks. The study also intends to analyze the moderating role of tourists’ nationality, considering the relationship between personality and tourist behavior based on the perceived risk. The findings provide evidence that not only tourists’ personality but also sociodemographic characteristics influence tourism worries and tourist behavior based on the perceived risk. Additionally, the study is the first to explore and confirm the role of nationality in tourist behavior based on the perceived risk, as well as the moderation role of nationality in regression between tourist’s personality and behavior based on the perception of risk. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the paper

GIS Application for Determining Geographical Factors on Intensity of Erosion in Serbian River Basins. Case Study: The River Basin of Likodra

Inadequate management of water resources may generate various potential geohazard risks. To resolve potential risks, significant anthropogenic factors need to be engaged, such as human, material and financialcapacities. Fluvial erosion and soil erosion control are among the major problems that occur within an integrated water management system. These natural processes can be accelerated due to certain human activities: agricultural production, civil engineering and mining. Is there a comprehensive approach that would identify the problems at the early stages and minimize the necessary actions? The application of the geographic information system (GIS) within the modified Gavrilović model represents a step further towards systematic monitoring and regulation of watercourses in different parts of the basin. This case study provides an example of the early detection of hydrological problems that can occur in a river stream and a proposal for the solutions that would be imposed as the logical causality based key. The Likodra river basin is a representative example of the application of GIS for early detection and prevention of current water problems

Influence of selected climate parameters on tourist traffic of Kopaonik and Zlatibor mountains (Republic of Serbia)

Tourism on Kopaonik and Zlatibor mountains had started to develop decades ago, but at the beginning of the 21st century, mountain tourism started to develop rapidly and the number of tourists in the mountain regions of Serbia has significantly increased. Constant improvements of tourism offer and numerous tourist activities on the Kopaonik and Zlatibor mountains influenced an upward trend of a number of tourists. The principal aim of this paper is to investigate whether the particular relevant climate parameters, such as mean monthly temperature and a number of snowy days, can affect the increase or decrease of the number of tourists and overnight stays in the analyzed two mountains. For this purpose, the regression analysis was used. The results indicate that there is a significant impact of selected climate parameters on tourist traffic in the Kopaonik and Zlatibor mountains

Achieving competencies with grammar school students through utilisation of selected didactical principles: Case study of geographic features of Europe

The aim of this research was to ascertain the competencies of grammar school students who learn geographic features of Europe by applying selected didactical principles. The research included 2nd grade students of 'Laza Kostić' Grammar School in Novi Sad (North Serbia). Selected classes were divided into two groups of students. The experimental group teaching was performed through traditionally lecture based teaching in the classroom with the main usage of principles of intuition and science. The control group learned through group form of teaching with the main usage of principles of interesting and attractiveness and conscious activities of students. A questionnaire containing 15 statements was used while teaching the experimental lessons. This questionnaire (based on the Likert-type 5 point scale) has been drawn up and it included a survey where students evaluated motivation and participation in the process of teaching geography or activities and learning/acquiring certain geographic content using selected didactic principles, forms, methods and tools. There was a test, which consisted of 9 questions of different levels of cognitive domains of learning - knowledge, skills and abilities. In order to determine whether there is a correlation between self-evaluation of the level of motivation, participation and learning, the self-evaluation of the level of motivation, participation and the knowledge test between the experimental and control group, Pearson correlation coefficient was determined. The results show that the level of students' reproductive knowledge remains the same in research-based traditional and modern teaching, but the problem-solving skills and abilities related to selected geographical features improved within experimental group of students

Organically vs. Conventionally Grown Vegetables: Multi-elemental Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation

Vegetables are important contributors to a healthy diet, and their adequate daily intake can help prevent some of the major illnesses. The aimof the study was to examine the content of the major and trace elements in selected organically grown (OG) and conventionally grown (CG) vegetables (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprout, beetroot, carrot, potato, and onion), taken from city green markets. Multi-elemental analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma method with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Nutritional quality evaluation in comparison to nutritional reference values was done. In studied vegetables, Al, Ca, K, Fe (with the exception of organic kohlrabi), Mg, Na, P, S, and Zn were quantified in all samples, whereas As, Cd, Co, Hg, Se, and V were below the limit of detection for these elements. Macroelements and trace elements were found at higher concentrations in OG and CG vegetables, respectively. Differences in concentrations of studied elements between the same vegetable species produced in two agricultural systems were significant, except for beetroot (p ≤ 0.05). Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis results showed that the botanical origin had higher influence on sample differentiation than the agronomic practice, which was in accordance with the results obtained by Mann-Whitney U test. Good quality of both OG and CG vegetables in respect of nutritionally beneficial elements was observed

Analysis of the state of vegetation in the municipality of Jagodina (Serbia) through remote sensing and suggestions for protection

Both environmental control and appropriate measurement results present basis for the quality protection of geospatial elements. Providing environmental monitoring activities and creating control network is the obligation of each state, whereas local communities provide observation and control of air quality, water quality, waste quality, soil quality, vegetation and land cover control, etc. This has been the reason for the analysis of vegetation of the municipality of Jagodina in Serbia. By processing satellite images, data on the sources of pollution and polluting materials of the vegetation have been discovered. These include spot (stationary), linear (mobile and stationary) and surface (stationary and mobile) sources. While processing satellite images by the Idrisi software, we have acquired results that indicate certain vegetation modifications (images obtained through infrared spectral imaging). Results obtained through remote sensing indicate the necessity to define adequate vegetation monitoring, to complete a register of pollutants, to set up information system and define ways of data presentation in order to manage a single, complete register of environmental pollutants in the municipality of Jagodina