Transformation of the Landscape in the Conditions of the Slovak Republic for Tourism

Tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy in Slovakia. With the orientation of localities to tourism, the landscape transformation is reflected in several positive and negative changes in the landscape. The aim of the contribution is to highlight the transformation processes leading to the creation of a tourist landscape in six selected localities in Slovakia. When selecting sites, we applied criteria such as the diversity of the original use, size or attractiveness. The environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of tourism on the landscape of localities were valuable in terms of sustainable development principles. From the methodological point of view, the primary methodology was the drivers–pressures–state–impact–response (DPSIR) model, used for integrated environmental assessment and the life cycle methodology of a tourism center with integrated sustainable development indicators. In the work results, based on the analysis of the historical development and the current state of localities, we evaluate their phase of the life cycle and the effects of tourism on the environment. We also present the possibilities of further development and heading direction of localities from point of view of tourism while pointing out the benefits and risks connected with the planned development.

An Integrated Environmental Assessment of a coastal lagoon: The Case of the Oualidia lagoon (Morocco)

This paper aims to present a comprehensive socio-economic and environmental analysis of the Oualidia lagoon in Morocco. This lagoon is classified as a RAMSAR site since 2005, providing valuable ecosystem services for the surrounding population. This paper followed the Drivers-Activities-Pressures-State-Change-Impact-Responses (DPSIR) framework to evaluate environmental condition changes within the lagoon to support decision-making. The present research suggests a potential future model for safeguarding the lagoon's ecosystem without risking the well-being of future generations.

Ecological state of the floodplain-channel complexes of small rivers in Novosibirsk

The relevance of this study is due to the increasing man-made stress on water bodies and the land resources connected with them within the urbanized territories, as a result, changes in the morphology and dynamics of river channels and floodplain. It leads to the need for an integrated environmental assessment of floodplain-riverbed complexes, especially small rivers within urbanized areas. The purpose of the study is an integrated environmental assessment of floodplain-channel complexes of small rivers in the city of Novosibirsk to substantiate the recommendations of engineering measures to reduce environmental tensions. The research results showed that the Yeltsovka and the Plyushchikha rivers belong to the group with weak environmental intensity, the Tula, the Yeltsovka-2, the Kamenka, the Kamyshenka are of medium environmental intensity, the Yeltsovka-1 is with strong environmental tension. Significance of the study is that the integral assessment of the floodplain-channel complex of small rivers in the city of Novosibirsk can be used to substantiate the recommendations of engineering measures to reduce environmental tensions, which should be selected based on the obtained integral points, as well as to prevent accidents at various facilities or communications during engineering construction or water engineering design, construction and operation.

Determinação da fragilidade ambiental de bacia hidrográfica em relação à atividade suinícola utilizando SIG

The intensified use of natural resources started after the industrial revolution, with increasing the disorderly occupation of watersheds and environmental degradation over the past century. Studies of environmental fragilities helps to identify areas with greater or lesser fragility regarding to certain aspect or activity analyzed, contributing to the decision making and adoption of strategies to minimize such impacts. The objective of the study was to evaluate the environmental fragility of Lajeado Erval Novo Watershed front the swine farming in order to subsidize the support of the decision taken for the environmental licensing system. Therefore, was held an integrated environmental assessment of the basin from data processing in Geographic Information System using a model based on qualitative and quantitative variables and adding socio-environmental characteristics to hierarchize areas with higher and lower environmental fragility for swine effluents. The areas to the southwest and northeast of the studied watershed were diagnosed as points of high environmental fragility. This fragility was, mainly, related to higher generation of swine effluent load and the conditions that contribute to the process of environmental embrittlement of areas, such as the use and soil type, slope and proximity to water resources. The mapping of environmental fragilities, by addressing the specifics variables and conditions of areas, proved to be a very important tool for decision-making and the maintenance of swine activities and the environmental balance of the watershed.