Ecoclimatic and balneological features of spa settlements in Juzna Morava basin as function of sustainable development

Познавање климатских, биоклиматских и балнеолошких референци значајно је за познавање лечилишних и рекреативно-терапеутских вредности бањских и климатских места. У том контексту сматрамо важним истаћи и утицај планетарних климатских промена на екоклиматске и биоклиматске вредности бањско-климатских места, као важних лечилишних, рекреативних и еколошких дестинација. У подручју слива Јужне Мораве налази се 10 афирмисаних бањских насеља: Бујановачка Бања, Врањска Бања, Сијеринска Бања, Пролом Бања, Куршумлијска Бања, Луковска Бања, Рибарска Бања, Сокобања, Нишка Бања и Звоначка Бања. Ни једна од ових бања нема квалитетно обрађене и комплетне био-климатске анализе, те је било неопходно приступити изради озбиљних климатско-биоклиматских анализа у којима би се, поред балнеолошке слике, презентирала лечилишно-терапеутско- рекреативна могућност наведених бањских места. Истраживања физичко-географских карактеристика имају задатак да одговоре на основне природне предиспозиције које су условиле термоминералне појаве, што је била полазна основа за формирање бањских места која су се с временом развила у бањска насеља. У питању је утврђивање природних потенцијала, њихове валоризације, водећи рачуна о правилном управљању и заштити човекове животне средине. Постојеће информације у проспектима о бањама су неодређене и нестручне, па се о појединим бањама говори као о местима која имају ,,здрав планински ваздух", ,,специфичну ружу ветрова У циљу комлетирања слике потенцијалности наведених бањаских места изнеће се анализа екоклиматских и балнеолошких карактеристика и ставити у функцију и планирања и развоја датих места, која су се временом трансформисала у насеља. То подразумева и анализу климатских елемената и комплексних климатских веза. У раду су анализирати климатски елементи: температура ваздуха, влажност ваздуха, ваздушни притисак, ветар, облачност и трајање сунчевог сјаја, како би се схватиле основне карактеристике климе ових места...An insight into climatic, bioclimatic and balneological references is crucial to understanding healing and recreationally therapeutic spa and climatic place values. In the context given, it is important to emphasise the influence of global climatic changes on the eco climatic and bioclimatic values of spa climatic places as important healing, recreational and ecological destinations. There are ten formed spa settlements within the Juzna Morava Basin, which includes Bujanovacka Banja, Vranska Banja, Sijerinska Banja, Prolom Banja, Kursumlijska Banja, Lukovska Banja, Ribarska Banja, Sokobanja, Niska Banja and Zvonacka Banja. None of the spas has completely viewed bioclimatic analyses; therefore, it was of crucial importance to initiate the foundation of relevant bioclimatic analyses, in which, apart from a balneological image, the healing and therapeutaically recreational capacity of the places would be presented. The exploration of physically geographical features aims at answering the basic natural prerequisites that have caused thermo mineral phenomena, which has formed the basis for the formation of spas ,which over time have grown into settlements. This determines natural potentials, including their valorization, minding the course of correct management and environmental protection. The current information concerning spa prospects has been imprecise and unprofessional. Therefore, particular spas have been referred to as having healthy mountainous air or a specific wind source. In an attempt to complete the picture of the given spas potential, what is being exposed is the analysis of eco climatic and balneological features, its planning function, as well as the development of the places, which in time have become settlements. This entails a climatic element analysis and complex climatic relations. The work has analysed climatic elements : air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, winds , cloudiness and the permanance of sun rays in order to realise the basic climatic features of the places. What follows is the analysis of a complex climatic relation as to determine the basic climatic types, bio types and classes..

Microbiological fertilizers in the function of organic production and health safe food

Environmental pollution is one of the main problems facing humanity on a global scale, as well as the leading cause of the growing incidence of certain human and animal diseases. Organic production as a sustainable system combines tradition and new technological solutions in the prevention of environmental pollution, both from the aspect of biological diversity of flora and fauna in the agroecosystem, and from the aspect of nutritional values and absence of pesticide residues in plant and animal products. Organic production enables the protection of biodiversity and the environment. An important feature of organic agriculture is the exclusion of the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, due to the potential negative effects that can be caused by their uncontrolled use. In organic production, mostly organic fertilizers and biological preparations are used, which enable the decomposition of harvest residues and the release of plant assimilates. In recent times, the possibilities of using allelopathic substances and secondary metabolites of plants as growth regulators and natural herbicides in sustainable agriculture are expanding, while the most important alternative to mineral fertilizers are microbiological fertilizers. In this paper, the importance and scope of application of microbiological fertilizers in modern agricultural production are considered

Microbiological fertilizers in the function of organic production and health safe food

Environmental pollution is one of the main problems facing humanity on a global scale, as well as the leading cause of the growing incidence of certain human and animal diseases. Organic production as a sustainable system combines tradition and new technological solutions in the prevention of environmental pollution, both from the aspect of biological diversity of flora and fauna in the agroecosystem, and from the aspect of nutritional values and absence of pesticide residues in plant and animal products. Organic production enables the protection of biodiversity and the environment. An important feature of organic agriculture is the exclusion of the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, due to the potential negative effects that can be caused by their uncontrolled use. In organic production, mostly organic fertilizers and biological preparations are used, which enable the decomposition of harvest residues and the release of plant assimilates. In recent times, the possibilities of using allelopathic substances and secondary metabolites of plants as growth regulators and natural herbicides in sustainable agriculture are expanding, while the most important alternative to mineral fertilizers are microbiological fertilizers. In this paper, the importance and scope of application of microbiological fertilizers in modern agricultural production are considered

Ecoclimatic and balneological features of spa settlements in Juzna Morava basin as function of sustainable development

Познавање климатских, биоклиматских и балнеолошких референци значајно је за познавање лечилишних и рекреативно-терапеутских вредности бањских и климатских места. У том контексту сматрамо важним истаћи и утицај планетарних климатских промена на екоклиматске и биоклиматске вредности бањско-климатских места, као важних лечилишних, рекреативних и еколошких дестинација. У подручју слива Јужне Мораве налази се 10 афирмисаних бањских насеља: Бујановачка Бања, Врањска Бања, Сијеринска Бања, Пролом Бања, Куршумлијска Бања, Луковска Бања, Рибарска Бања, Сокобања, Нишка Бања и Звоначка Бања. Ни једна од ових бања нема квалитетно обрађене и комплетне био-климатске анализе, те је било неопходно приступити изради озбиљних климатско-биоклиматских анализа у којима би се, поред балнеолошке слике, презентирала лечилишно-терапеутско- рекреативна могућност наведених бањских места. Истраживања физичко-географских карактеристика имају задатак да одговоре на основне природне предиспозиције које су условиле термоминералне појаве, што је била полазна основа за формирање бањских места која су се с временом развила у бањска насеља. У питању је утврђивање природних потенцијала, њихове валоризације, водећи рачуна о правилном управљању и заштити човекове животне средине. Постојеће информације у проспектима о бањама су неодређене и нестручне, па се о појединим бањама говори као о местима која имају ,,здрав планински ваздух", ,,специфичну ружу ветрова У циљу комлетирања слике потенцијалности наведених бањаских места изнеће се анализа екоклиматских и балнеолошких карактеристика и ставити у функцију и планирања и развоја датих места, која су се временом трансформисала у насеља. То подразумева и анализу климатских елемената и комплексних климатских веза. У раду су анализирати климатски елементи: температура ваздуха, влажност ваздуха, ваздушни притисак, ветар, облачност и трајање сунчевог сјаја, како би се схватиле основне карактеристике климе ових места...An insight into climatic, bioclimatic and balneological references is crucial to understanding healing and recreationally therapeutic spa and climatic place values. In the context given, it is important to emphasise the influence of global climatic changes on the eco climatic and bioclimatic values of spa climatic places as important healing, recreational and ecological destinations. There are ten formed spa settlements within the Juzna Morava Basin, which includes Bujanovacka Banja, Vranska Banja, Sijerinska Banja, Prolom Banja, Kursumlijska Banja, Lukovska Banja, Ribarska Banja, Sokobanja, Niska Banja and Zvonacka Banja. None of the spas has completely viewed bioclimatic analyses; therefore, it was of crucial importance to initiate the foundation of relevant bioclimatic analyses, in which, apart from a balneological image, the healing and therapeutaically recreational capacity of the places would be presented. The exploration of physically geographical features aims at answering the basic natural prerequisites that have caused thermo mineral phenomena, which has formed the basis for the formation of spas ,which over time have grown into settlements. This determines natural potentials, including their valorization, minding the course of correct management and environmental protection. The current information concerning spa prospects has been imprecise and unprofessional. Therefore, particular spas have been referred to as having healthy mountainous air or a specific wind source. In an attempt to complete the picture of the given spas potential, what is being exposed is the analysis of eco climatic and balneological features, its planning function, as well as the development of the places, which in time have become settlements. This entails a climatic element analysis and complex climatic relations. The work has analysed climatic elements : air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, winds , cloudiness and the permanance of sun rays in order to realise the basic climatic features of the places. What follows is the analysis of a complex climatic relation as to determine the basic climatic types, bio types and classes..

GIS numerical and remote sensing analyses of forest changes in the Toplica region for the period of 1953-2013

Although the Toplica region is situated in a forest-rich part of the Republic of Serbia, the region's four municipalities are not equally forested. Forests are an important resource for economic activities and the existence of flora and fauna, both globally and in the Republic of Serbia. Many initiatives around the world intend to protect and renew forest belts under the sponsorship of developed and developing countries (e.g. China, India, Russia, Brazil, or the G7). In this study, we reconstructed the condition of forests in the Toplica region over the last 60 years using remote sensing, topographic maps, geographical information system (GIS) analysis, and official data from cadaster books and censuses. In addition to changes in forested land, concurrent socio-economic changes have affected the distribution and density of forests. The total number of trees in the Toplica region in 2013 was determined by applying numerical GIS analyses to remote sensing data. We also reconstructed the state of forests in 1953 and used this to determine the total number of trees cut down within this period, as well as the forested areas within different parts of the region. We also determined the elevations beneath different forested zones. In addition to these qualitative and quantitative analyses, we analyzed processes with the potential to influence future forest dispersion (afforestation, deagrarianization, degradation, and deforestation). These analyses are useful in acquiring more detailed insight into the condition of forests in this part of southeastern Europe

GIS Analysis of Land Cover Changes on the Territory of the Prokuplje Municipality

The monitoring of the territory of Prokuplje Municipality was done based on 1 : 25,000 topographic maps in three different time periods (1969, 1974, and 1984) and land cover map in 2012. Analogous topographic maps done in 1969, 1974, and 1984 were used, while in 2012 the land cover map obtained by using CORINE-like approach was used. Topographic maps are developed by aerial campaign, and today they are replaced by satellite images. Topographic maps were scanned, and raster form was transformed to vector data with Geo Media Professional 6.1 and Global Mapper software. The monitoring in the period of 1969–2012, on the area of 758300000 m2, was performed, where some parameters were analyzed. In particular, the changes of natural resources, primarily forest lands, were observed as well as the type of land susceptible to primary erosion, including the level of urbanization and level of agricultural land. The obtained results clearly showed changes in forestation within the 43-year-long period, as well as changes in primary erosion and urbanization, while at the level of agricultural land, slight changes were found. The paper also involved transition of social factors from 1969 to 2012, expressed as a change between the earth and forest layer

Environmental risk assessment of radioactivity and heavy metals in soil of Toplica region, South Serbia

Activity levels of natural and artificial radionuclides and content of ten heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) were investigated in 41 soil samples collected from Toplica region located in the south part of Serbia. Radioactivity was determined by gamma spectrometry using HPGe detector. The obtained mean activity concentrations +/- standard deviations of radionuclides Ra-226, Th-232, K-40 and Cs-137 were 29.9 +/- 9.4, 36.6 +/- 11.5, 492 +/- 181 and 13.4 +/- 18.7 Bq kg(-1), respectively. According to Shapiro-Wilk normality test, activity concentrations of Ra-226 and Th-232 were consistent with normal distribution. External exposure from radioactivity was estimated through dose and radiation risk assessments. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using ICP-OES, and their health risks were then determined. Enrichment by heavy metals and pollution level in soils were evaluated using the enrichment factor, the geoaccumulation index (I-geo), pollution index and pollution load index. Based on GIS approach, the spatial distribution maps of radionuclides and heavy metal contents were made. Spearman correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis between radionuclide activity concentrations and heavy metal contents

Environmental radioactivity with respect to geology of some Serbian spas

This study was performed in order to investigate gamma dose rates, radon exhalation rates and soil radioactivity with respect to geology. Fifteen locations in three Serbian spas were under investigation. Gamma dose rate was measured by Radex RD1503(+) monitor. GIS technology was applied for the interpretation of the results. HPGe detector was used for gamma-spectrometry determination of soil radioactivity. Radon exhalation rate was determined using RAD7 device. The correlation was examined between radon exhalation rate and Ra-226. No correlation was found between calculated effective dose from radionuclides in soil and measured ambient gamma dose rate

The Heritage Climate Index (HERCI): Development, Assessment and Application for Tourism Purposes in Geoheritage and Cultural Heritage Sites

The development of climate indices and their application can influence the preferences of tourists and the time frame for visiting the locality. This study develops a new Heritage Climate Index (HERCI) that finds its application in assessing climate comfort for visiting geoheritage and cultural heritage objects. The study analyzed the geoheritage site in Western Serbia (Stopića Cave) and the cultural heritage site in Eastern Serbia (Golubac Fortress). The index was developed to represent climatic comfort on a monthly basis and consisted of five climatic elements. The values of the HERCI index were obtained based on the multi-criteria decision-making model—the Best–Worst method (BWM). The results were classified into five classes, depending on the degree of conformity. After a comparative analysis of the index results for four localities and their attendance for the period 2012–2021 and 2019–2022, it was determined that there is a very high level of correlation (>0.9). This is the first study to use the BWM to develop and analyze a climate index. From the aspect of tourism policy, this study significantly contributes to tourism organizations and tourists in better understanding climate comfort and making decisions about the organization’s time frame and realization of the travel