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The Myth of Carrying Capacity: How Migration and Innovation Reshape Population-Environment Dynamics
No full textThe concept of “carrying capacity” assumes a static limit to the number of people an environment can support, but does not take into account migration, urbanization and technological adaptation. Migration is a crucial factor in the population- environment nexus. Migration changes population distribution, resource demand and environmental pressures — often in ways that challenge traditional assumptions about carrying capacity. This paper deconstructs this myth by analyzing how human mobility redistributes the ecological footprint, mitigates localized pressures, and poses new sustainability challenges. Using case studies of rural-urban migration, climate-induced displacement, and cross-border labor flows, we show that migration shifts environmental pressures (e.g., urban congestion vs. rural exodus), enables redistribution of resources (e.g., remittances to finance sustainable agriculture), and complicates Malthusian narratives (e.g., high-density cities often have lower per capita emissions than dispersed populations). We argue that carrying capacity models need to incorporate spatial dynamics (migration networks) and institutional responses (adaptive infrastructure, equitable policies). By looking at the connections between population and environment through the lens of mobility and innovation, this topic can inform policymakers on ways to harness migration for sustainability, not just suppress population growth.Editor: Natalija Miri
Two-piece puzzle: Older population and climate change in Serbia
No full textThe aim of this research is to shed a light on the dual relationship between older population and climate change in Serbia. On the one hand, there is a (dis)proportional susceptibility of the older population to the various environmental risks due to objective impairments caused by ageing process (physical and cognitive). The heterogeneous characteristics of older population pose an important limiting factor for unilateral practical responses in the case of the environmental hazards, as older population is more vulnerable than other age groups. On the other hand, the rising number of older population can have more pronounced impact on the climate actions and possible mitigation. The paper discusses the nexus of climate change and population ageing through emerging theoretical framework and empirical approach that uses purposive sampling with tailored made survey questions. The questionnaire was design to investigate the perceptions of older population on climate change, their preparedness for extreme weather events and their assessment of innovative strategies for promoting climate awareness. The research is planned to be carried out on more than 100 older adults in various cities in Serbia. The results are expected to reveal how much the older responders are worries about the impact of climate change in actual and future generations, and how much the possibility for different extreme weather events frighten them. Furthermore, the research will cover the anticipated help from others (family, friends, neighbors, medical stuff etc.) in the case of environmental emergency. Additionally, older respondents will be asked about possible lifestyle changes they would adopt as a response to the changing climate. As a conclusion, the paper will address the issues regarding the impact of climate change on older person’s life, and maneuvering room when it comes to the better climate awareness among older population.Editor: Natalija Miri
Oil field impacts on Venezuela’s rivers and water stress with environmental challenges
No full textThis study examines the ecological impact of oil extraction on Venezuela's river systems, focusing on pollution, hydrological changes, and water resource stress. A spatial and quantitative assessment was conducted using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), the Ecological Equilibrium Equation (EE), and the Ecological Equilibrium Index (EE index). Analyses were performed in QGIS and SAGA GIS environments, integrating satellite data and field-verified hydrological datasets to evaluate major river basins, particularly the Orinoco River Basin and Lake Maracaibo. Buffer analyses (10 km, 50 km, and 100 km) identified the Orinoco, Guárico, and Cuyuní rivers as most affected within the 10 km zone, where contamination risk from oil spills and industrial runoff is highest. The 50 km buffer revealed expanded impacts on rivers such as Apure, Cojedes, and Ventuari, while the 100 km zone indicated that nearly all major Venezuelan river systems are exposed to potential contamination, increasing the risk of water pollution, biodiversity loss, and hydrological disruption. The EE index showed a deviation of −0.3, reflecting widespread ecological imbalance. The study recommends adopting advanced wastewater treatment technologies, enforcing stricter environmental regulations, expanding hydrological monitoring networks, and engaging local communities and indigenous groups in sustainable watershed management. Safeguarding Venezuela's freshwater resources demands urgent, integrated policy interventions to balance economic development with environmental preservation
Precipitation during the vegetation period in Central Serbia over 70 years
No full textIn this study, the trend for a category of variables, that is, for the total average annual amount of precipitation for the vegetation period (P-VP) from April to October is presented. Moreover, with the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) numerical analysis, geospatial distribution of the obtained results on the territory of the Central Serbia is described. The main objective of this study is the possible changes in trends for the total average annual amount of precipitation for the vegetation period in the observed area. In terms of methodology, trend testing was conducted using the Mann-Kendall trend test (M-K), trend equation, and trend magnitude. The data used for the necessary analysis were taken from the Meteorological Yearbooks of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia, with a total of 24 meteorological stations, for the observed time period from 1949 to 2018. A total of 24 time series were analyzed. The average annual amount of precipitation for the vegetation period of the observed area is 427.6 mm. The values range from 362.3 mm to 625.5 mm. The lowest value was recorded in Nis, while the highest value was recorded in Zlatibor. Based on the obtained results, a statistically significant positive trend was recorded in 2 time series, whereas in the remaining 22 time series there was no trend. Furthermore, the results obtained by the trend equation, and trend magnitude indicate a slight increase in the total average annual precipitation in 21 time series and a decrease was recorded in the remaining 3 time series. A decrease in the average annual amount of precipitation for the vegetation period was recorded in three cities, namely: Jagodina (-15.9 mm), Bujanovac (-4.6 mm), and Zajecar (-0.5 mm). Comprehending the interaction between precipitation and vegetation period is crucial for implementing adaptation and mitigation measures in terrestrial ecosystems. The preliminary findings of this study can offer a technical foundation and valuable reference for water resource and sustainable ecological management strategies in the Republic of Serbia, benefiting policymakers and stakeholders involved
Functional transformation of settlements in coal exploitation zones: A case study of the municipality of Stanari in Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
No full textThis study explores how long-term surface coal
exploitation has affected the distribution of economic functions and contributed to hierarchical changes within the
settlement network of the municipality of Stanari. The aim
of this study is to contribute to a broader understanding of
the spatial consequences of intensive resource exploitation
on settlement systems. Using the case study of Stanari, the
analysis focuses on changes resulting from ongoing mining
activities. The most pronounced transformations occurred
in settlements near the mine, where exploitation led to
increased employment in industry and services, while
more distant settlements retained their functional type
with minor modifications. Centrality analysis indicates
shifts in the hierarchical position of settlements. The geographic information system was utilized as a key analytical
tool for spatial modeling and visualization of functional
transformations within the settlement network, providing
deeper insight into the spatial-functional changes caused
by coal exploitation. To assess future transformation, a
survey was conducted, examining the relationship between
place of residence and attitudes toward potential relocation
and employment. The results show a statistically significant
association between these decisions and respondents’ spatial affiliation, suggesting possible future changes in the
functional structure and hierarchy of the settlement network. The findings of this study offer a broader contribution
to the understanding of spatial and functional dynamics in
areas affected by intensive resource exploitation. They provide important insights for planning strategies aimed at
supporting the local population and guiding decisionmaking processes in Stanari and similar regions, which
may be valuable to local governments and relevant ministries, by informing spatial planning and management of
resource exploitation. Furthermore, the study highlights
the importance of employment dynamics and workforce
retention as critical factors for ensuring both demographic
and economic sustainability in areas affected by mininginduced transformations. The ultimate goal remains maintaining demographic stability and preserving the long-term
functional integrity of the settlement network
Satellite data and citizens science for sustainable cities
No full textThe vast amount of satellite data empowers scientists to monitor, analyze, and design the urban environment considering comprehensive criteria. There are still some challenges in data analysis of urban areas due to low resolution of open satellite data, high cost of commercial satellite data, and noise (impulse, speckles, clouds, etc.). Citizen data collection could complement satellite data to get more precise information that can help decision makers to gain a better liveable urban environment. This study examines the potential for widespread use of citizen and satellite data to monitor urban environments, with a particular emphasis on air quality and vegetation monitoring. Due to short revisit time and higher spatial resolution satellite data provided by the European Space Agency have been used to monitor vegetation through vegetation multispectral indices (NDVI, NDRE, RVI, etc.) and air quality (SO₂, HCHO, NOₓ, etc.). While satellite data can lead to general conclusions of vegetation condition or air quality in a city, citizen data can identify specific problems that are beyond the `satellite's eyes`. Some initiatives engage citizens to collect data of urban biodiversity or monitor air quality. Voigt-Heucke et al. (2023) recognized 35 citizen science projects involved in monitoring and conserving urban biodiversity only in Germany. The European Environment Agency (2019) published the Report Assessing Air Quality through Citizen Science and emphasized the possibility of using simple, standardized measurement devices in air monitoring. The aim of this research is to identify the potential for integrating citizen and satellite data in urban planning, especially to monitor vegetation and air quality. Relevant published articles are analyzed and summarized to review previous experience in combining satellite and citizen data. Also, Sentinel 2 and Sentinel 5 Precursor data and Qgis open software are used to express the green area and air quality in Belgrade in 2016 and 2023.Editors: Aleksandra Đukić, Milena Vukmirović, Eva Vaništa Lazarević, Aleksandra Krstić-Furundžić, Nikola Mitrovi
Proglašenje Parka prirode "Veliki Jastrebac" kao potencijal za razvoj turizma
No full textZaštita prirode, koja je od suštinskog značaja za očuvanje ekosistema, naročito dobija na važnosti usled sve većeg uticaja antropogenog faktora na opstanak živog sveta. Godine 2024. Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine obavestilo je javnost o postupku pokretanja zaštite prirodnog područja 1. kategorije kao Park prirode „Veliki Jastrebac‟. U decembru iste godine, Vlada Republike Srbije donela je Uredbu o proglašenju Parka prirode „Veliki Jastrebac‟, čime je zaštićena jedna od najšumovitijih planina Balkanskog poluostrva, na površini od 39 175 hektara. Zaštita ovog prostora nesumnjivo će doprineti njegovoj boljoj promociji i prezentaciji. Cilj rada je razmatranje uticaja proglašenja pomenutog zaštićenog područja na razvoj turizma i mogućnost povezivanja gradova (Kruševac i Prokuplje) i opština (Blace i Aleksinac) na čijoj se teritoriji nalazi izučavano područje, kroz različite vidove saradnje, radi poboljšanja privrede u celini. Putem SWOT analize biće dat pregled snaga, slabosti, mogućnosti i pretnji po razvoj turizma. U radu su uzete u obzir sve prirodne i antropogene osobenosti Velikog Jastrepca u svrhu dobijanja kompletnije slike o razvoju turizma i zaštiti prirode.Urednici: Dejan Filipović, Velimir Šećerov, Dušan Ristić, Marina Ili
Informal Participation Methods - An Addition to Formal Urban and Spatial Planning Systems
No full textIn the field of urban and spatial planning, formal methods often dominate. However, informal participation methods can significantly complement these processes by enhancing community engagement and enriching decision-making. These informal methods promote inclusivity and richness, engaging a broader range of people, including those who may not participate in formal processes. This helps build social capital, fostering trust and stronger social networks within communities. Additionally, informal participation can enhance public consensus and improve stakeholders’ understanding of local issues, resulting in more contextually relevant outcomes. Moreover, the promptness of informal methods allows for timely responses to emerging issues. Despite these benefits, informal methods also pose several challenges. They may require specific skills and expertise not always available to local governments. The associated costs, including new technologies and hiring experts, can be higher than those of formal methods. Furthermore, informal methods may require longer preparation times, as they often involve complex representations and detailed analysis. Lastly, these methods can prolong discussion times, potentially leading to increasedfriction between stakeholders and decision-makers. Balancing these advantages and disadvantages is crucial for effectively integrating informal methods into the formal planning system to promote more inclusive and resilient urban development
Environment and Demographic Trends – The Mountainous Area of Western Serbia
No full textChanges in the environment and the socio-economic structure of the mountainous areas of Western Serbia reflect the complex dynamics of geospatial transformation. Rural regions are simultaneously influenced by ecological changes, depopulation, and a shift toward non-agricultural economic activities. Traditional land use patterns are changing, with a reduction in agricultural and pasture areas, while the expansion of urban, tourism, and recreational zones indicates emerging development trends. The process of rural transformation is unfolding as a result of both global and local factors that impact the economic structure, lifestyles, and the use of natural resources. Due to population decline and migration flows, the spatial distribution of settlements exhibits marked heterogeneity, reflecting diverse demographic and functional dynamics – ranging from settlements with relative demographic stability and sustainable economic activities to those affected by depopulation, infrastructure degradation, and marginalization within the regional settlement network. Land use change was analyzed using the CORINE Land Cover database, revealing
that in recent decades opposing trends have been present – while some areas are undergoing intensive urbanization and infrastructure expansion, others are experiencing natural forest regeneration and restoration of natural ecosystems. The analysis of these processes enables a deeper understanding of the interconnections within the environment–population system. The future development of the mountainous areas of Western Serbia requires a holistic approach that integrates demographic, economic, and ecological factors for sustainable spatial planning.Editor: Natalija Miri