Detection of earthflow dynamics using medium-resolution digital terrain models: Diachronic perspective of the Jovac earthflow, Southern Serbia

The paper presents and discusses the landslide research procedure related to the topography before and after its occurrence, using the comparative analysis of two medium-resolution digital terrain models. The case study is the Jovac mega-landslide—the largest landslide to occur in Serbia in the last 100 years, active for three days in February 1977. The indicators used to determine the volume and movement mechanism were the spatial distribution of elevation differences within the two digital terrain models (DTM), and the analysis of geomorphological features before the landslide. The obtained elevation differences allowed the definition of the approximate landslide volume: 11.6 × 106 m3. All the data obtained indicate that the movement mechanism falls into the category of earthflow.

The role of ecotourism in community development: The case of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve, Serbia

This study explores local community attitudes toward ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia using the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). Residents of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve acknowledge the sociocultural and economic benefits of ecotourism development while recognizing the negative impacts of development on the natural environment. Low awareness of non-charismatic species among residents contrasts with strong awareness of them among large communities of scientists and naturalists in Serbia. This study shows the importance of local community support for ecotourism and conservation development. Moreover, the study revealed that the SUS-TAS scale can be successfully applied in ecotourism research.

The influence of climate change on discharge fluctuations in Slovenian rivers

In recent decades, an increase in the number of extreme flood events as well as extreme drought events has been observed in Slovenia. This rise the need for a comprehensive analysis of trends in discharge data series. In the study, statistical trends in seasonal and annual mean, maximum, extreme and low discharge values were investigated using the Mann Kendall test. The results show a temporal and spatial variability of trends in discharge. In general, a decreasing trend in water quantities in the rivers was observed. However, results at some gauging stations indicate statistically significant increasing trends, especially for maximum and extreme discharges. Additional analyses show that the discharge trends depend on the location of the gauging station.

An integrated SWOT–extended PIPRECIA model for identifying key determinants of tourism development: The case of Serbia

This paper proposes a new integrated model based on SWOT and extended PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment (PIPRECIA) that offers a systematic approach to strategic planning in tourism. The applicability of the proposed integrated model is demonstrated through a case study defining the main determinants of tourism development in Serbia. The result emphasizes the strategy Improving the organization, management, and enhancement of tourism development as the highest priority for implementation. The model facilitates decision-making in tourism, and its key advantages are its suitability for application in group decision-making and its simplicity.

COVID-19 impact on daily mobility in Slovenia

We analyse the Slovenian subsample (n = 415) of an international online survey about changes in daily mobility during the COVID-19 outbreak in spring of 2020 from a geographical perspective. We split the dataset into three spatial classes (urban, transitional and rural) according to respondents’ place of residence. The people’s behaviour is compared before and under the COVID-19 lockdown and are analysed in terms of commuting frequency, changes in mode choice for commuting and style of grocery shopping. The results show that commuting was reduced drastically during the lockdown while the car both for commuting and shopping remained the main transport mode, especially in rural areas. With an unprecedented insight on travel behaviour changes due to pandemic, the study congruously argues for improved transport policies to meet climate change and public health challenges.

How the state legitimizes national development projects: The Third Development Axis case study, Slovenia

We analyzed planning mechanisms and evaluated their performance in achieving legitimacy in infrastructure planning in Slovenia. Planning mechanisms were divided according to the concept of input, throughput and output legitimacy. We conducted a document analysis and interviews to assess their effectiveness in achieving legitimate decisions. Although the analyzed decision-making process declaratively promoted democratic principles, the mechanisms failed to satisfactorily enhance the legitimacy of decisions. The study revealed inadequate communication approaches, both in the decision-makers' relationship with the public and within the expert discourse. Accordingly, the study argues for more genuine communication with the public and within academia to address legitimacy challenges in increasingly conflictual decision-making processes.

Precipitation variability, trends and regions in Poland: Temporal and spatial distribution in the years 1951–2018

The goals of this work were to assess differences in precipitation totals (Pr) in Poland in both time and space and to distinguish regions based on precipitation variability in the years 1951–2018. To assess precipitation conditions, the study used statistical and spatial analyses implemented in ArcGIS Desktop and STATISTICA software. The largest number of significant, positive correlations describing the linear Pr trend were found for March. The lowest monthly Pr, which represents only approximately 6% of the multiyear precipitation totals, was recorded in October 1951; the highest monthly Pr, which represents as much as approximately 355% of the multi-year precipitation totals, was recorded in October 1974. The study distinguished three precipitation regions of Poland.

Application of Angot precipitation index in the assessment of rainfall erosivity: Vojvodina Region case study (North Serbia)

The paper aims to provide an overview of the most important parameters (the occurrence, frequency and magnitude) in Vojvodina Region (North Serbia). Monthly and annual mean precipitation values in the period 1946–2014, for the 12 selected meteorological stations were used. Relevant parameters (precipitation amounts, Angot precipitation index) were used as indicators of rainfall erosivity. Rainfall erosivity index was calculated and classified throughout precipitation susceptibility classes liable of triggering soil erosion. Precipitation trends were obtained and analysed by three different statistical approaches. Results indicate that various susceptibility classes are identified within the observed period, with a higher presence of very severe rainfall erosion in June and July. This study could have implications for mitigation strategies oriented towards reduction of soil erosion by water.

Does geosite interpretation lead to conservation? A case study of the Sićevo Gorge (Serbia)

People have appreciated the beauty of natural landscapes, the result of the interplay of different natural processes, for at least three hundred years in Europe. Many have been inspired by this beauty to promote such places for visits by others. Some have understood the importance of individual places visited within the local or regional environmental system. This has led to definitions and the establishment of protected areas with special visitor rules and regulations. This article presents a case study of Sićevo Gorge Nature Park in Serbia and an opportunity to transform it into a geoheritage site, underpinned by developing its interpretation based on the results of a study using the analytical-hierarchy process (AHP) method.

A comparison of the beginnings of exonym standardization in Croatian and Slovenian

This paper compares the beginnings of exonym standardization and some characteristics of the oldest exonyms in two similar Slavic languages, Croatian and Slovenian. It uses the comparative and exemplar methods. It is found that these processes were influenced by the sociopolitical environment of the time, especially language policies. It is shown that the nineteenth century was favorably inclined toward exonyms. They were often written inconsistently and unsystematically because there were no spelling norms for their writing and use. For some, the influences of foreign languages (German, Italian, etc.) are obvious. Numerous transitional forms also appeared, which did not become established.