2235 research outputs found
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Development and evaluation approach of soil quality in agricultural soils: Integrated system for a more reliable delineation of homogeneous management zones
No full textSoil quality (SQ) is of fundamental importance for sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and food security. This study presents an integrative methodological framework for the assessment of SQ by combining indicators of soil properties with environmental variables. In a case study in Mali Zvornik, Serbia, agricultural SQ was assessed using total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS) methods, incorporating additive and weighted Soil Quality Indices (SQIa and SQIw). Spatial variations in SQ were analysed using Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) and Boosted Regression Trees (BRT), while Homogeneous Management Zones (HMZ) were identified using fuzzy c-means clustering. The study analysed 18 soil indicators and selected nine key indicators for the MDS through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Modeling was performed with 12 environmental variables, and the BRT model showed high predictive accuracy by achieving robust R2 values and low prediction errors (MAE and RMSE). Topographic and vegetation factors, especially elevation and NDVI, were identified as the most influential variables affecting spatial SQI patterns. Three distinct HMZs were delineated: a high quality zone suitable for intensive agriculture, a moderately productive zone requiring targeted interventions, and a low quality zone affected by erosion and nutrient deficiency. This research highlights the effectiveness of integrating advanced modeling techniques with environmental data for accurate SQ assessment. The results provide valuable insights for agroecological planning that supports sustainable land management and rural development.Supplementary material: [https://gery.gef.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2001
Spatiotemporal and trend analysis of common cancers in men in Central Serbia (1999–2021)
No full textThis study analyzes the spatiotemporal patterns of seven common cancers in the male population using 23 years of data (1999–2021) across 18 counties in Central Serbia. The spatial distribution of cancer incidence and mortality rates and their temporal evolution were examined at the county level using Getis–Ord Getis–Ord G∗i techniques, while trends were analysed with Mann-Kendall statistics. Hot spot analysis revealed a decline in mortality rates, whereas incidence rates increased. New colorectal cancer incidence hotspots emerged in three counties, while consecutive bladder cancer hotspots appeared in two counties. Conversely, new cold spots in mortality rates were found for lung and bronchus cancer in four counties, stomach cancer in two, and laryngeal cancer in one. An increasing trend in both incidence and mortality rates was identified for lung and bronchus cancer and colorectal cancer in three counties. In addition, prostate and pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates rose in two counties. In contrast, stomach cancer showed a decreasing trend in four counties, as did laryngeal cancer in two. This research enhances public health efforts by identifying vulnerable areas, assessing current health strategies, and guiding new interventions
GIS-Based Spatial Modeling of Soil Erosion and Wildfire Susceptibility Using VIIRS and Sentinel-2 Data: A Case Study of Šar Mountains National Park, Serbia
No full textSoil erosion and wildfires are frequent natural disasters that threaten the environment. Identifying and zoning susceptible areas are crucial for the implementation of preventive measures. The Šar Mountains are a national park with rich biodiversity and various climate zones. Therefore, in addition to protecting the local population from natural disasters, special attention must be given to preserving plant and animal species and their habitats. The first step in this study involved collecting and organizing the data. The second step applied geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) to evaluate the intensity of erosion using the erosion potential model (EPM) and the wildfire susceptibility index (WSI). The EPM involved the analysis of four thematic maps, and a new index for wildfires was developed, incorporating nine natural and anthropogenic factors. This study introduces a novel approach by integrating the newly developed WSI with the EPM, offering a comprehensive framework for assessing dual natural hazards in a single region using advanced geospatial tools. The third step involved obtaining synthetic maps and comparing the final results with satellite images and field research. For the Šar Mountains (Serbia), high and very high susceptibility to wildfires was identified in 21.3% of the total area. Regarding soil erosion intensity, about 8.2% of the area is affected by intensive erosion, while excessive erosion is present in 2.2% of the study area. The synthetic hazard maps provide valuable insights into the dynamics of the erosive process and areas susceptible to wildfires. The final results can be useful for decision-makers, spatial planners, and emergency management services in implementing anti-erosion measures and improving forest management in the study area
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
Prilagođavanje na izmenjene klimatske uslove kroz dokumenta javnih politika
No full textRepublika Srbija je u proteklom periodu aktivno radila na izradi i usvajanju seta različitih dokumenata javnih politika kako bi izgradila što efikasniji sistem odgovora na klimatske promene imajući u vidu izazove sa kojima se Republika Srbija suočava. Svedoci smo poslednjih godina velikih posledica po stanovništvo, materijalna dobra i životnu sredinu koje su prouzrokovane prirodnim nepogodama, prvenstveno poplavama, sušama i olujnim nepogodama a posledično tome i bujicama i klizištima. Kako bi se definisale efikasne mere mitigacije i adaptacije na klimatske promene potrebno je bilo doneti niz dokumenata na nacionalnom nivou, prvenstveno sektorsku strategiju prilagođavanja na izmenjene klimatske uslove i doneti, odnosno izmeniti, odgovarajuću zakonsku regulativu. U radu su predstavljeni rezultati rada na ovom dokumentu i razmatrane mere koje treba implementirati u narednom periodu kako bi se posledice klimatskih promena ublažile a društvo uspešno adaptiralo na izmenjene klimatske uslove.Urednici: Dejan Filipović, Velimir Šećerov, Dušan Ristić, Marina Ili
Uticaj klimatskih promena na realizaciju ciljeva održivog razvoja
No full textU radu su predstavljeni uticaji klimatskih promena i veze sa ciljevima održivog razvoja na koje one najviše utiču (COR 1 – svet bez gladi, COR 2 – svet bez siromaštva, COR 3 – dobro zdravlje, COR 12 – održiva potrošnja i proizvodnja, COR 15 – život na zemlji). Identifi kovani su ključni problemi zbog kojih je ovaj fenomen uvršten kao poseban cilj u sklopu Agende 2030, delovi sveta u kojima je on najviše izražen kao i razlike u njihovom (potencijalnom) uticaju na razvijeni i nerazvijeni deo sveta. Analizirane su posledice usled klimatskih promena koje se odnose prvenstveno na finansijske izdatke i domene u kojima su oni evidentirani. Iz dokumenta Srbija i Agenda 2030, izdvojen je i analiziran deo u vezi sa ciljem održivog razvoja 13 (Akcija za klimu), navedena su ključna dokumenta koja su doneta u skladu sa njime i prilagođavanjem sa politikom Evropske unije. Naposletku, predložena su pojedina rešenja, koja bi se na lokalnom nivou mogla sprovesti radi poboljšanja mikroklimatskih uslova i ispunjavanja ovog cilja.Urednici: Dejan Filipović, Velimir Šećerov, Dušan Ristić, Marina Ili
Resistance and engagement in mining communities: Experiences from Bor and Majdanpek (Serbia)
No full textExtracting resources without considering the needs of the local community and adequate environmental protection can deepen existing inequalities between social groups, creating opportunities for ecological conflicts. This, in turn, gives rise to various forms of activism opposing the exclusion of individuals and social groups from decision-making processes related to the management of natural resources. The first part of the paper explores the concepts of participatory, professional, and transactional activism. Additionally, the theoretical framework includes the concepts of environmental distribution conflicts and mining conflicts. These concepts will be illustrated through an analysis of mining areas in Eastern Serbia, firstly by providing a contextual overview of broader local community engagement in Bor and Majdanpek based on the analysis of secondary sources, and secondly by analyzing the results of a survey conducted with the residents of Bor and Majdanpek between July and September 2024 (N=300). In the concluding section, based on the contextual analysis and empirical findings, the sources of motivation and types of citizen engagement in Bor and Majdanpek are interpreted in relation to different conceptualizations of activism that may lead to social conflict expressed through collective action resisting mining activities
UAV-Based Survey of the Earth Pyramids at the Kuklica Geosite (North Macedonia)
No full textThis paper presents methods for a UAV-based survey of the site “Kuklica” near Kratovo, North Macedonia. Kuklica is a rare natural complex with earth pyramids, and because of its exceptional scientific, educational, touristic, and cultural significance, it was proclaimed to be a Natural Monument in 2008. However, after the proclamation, the interest in visiting this site and the threats in terms of its potential degradation rapidly grew, increasing the need for a detailed survey of the site and monitoring. Given the site’s small size (0.5 km2), the freely available satellite images and digital elevation models are not suitable for comprehensive analysis and monitoring of the site, especially in terms of the individual forms within the site. Instead, new tools are increasingly being used for such tasks, including UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). Since professional LiDAR is very expensive and still not readily available, we used a low-cost UAV (DJI Mini 4 Pro) to carry out a detailed survey. First, the flight path, the altitude of the UAV, the camera angle, and the photo recording intervals were precisely planned and defined. Also, the ground markers (checkpoints) were carefully selected. Then, the photos taken by the drone were aligned and processed using Agisoft Metashape software (v. 2.1.4), producing a digital elevation model and orthophoto imagery with a very high (sub-decimeter) resolution. Following this procedure, more than 140 earth pyramids were delineated, ranging in height from 1 to 2 m and to 30 m at their highest. At this stage, a very accurate UAV-based 3D model of the most remarkable earth pyramids was developed (the accuracy was checked using the iPhone 14 Pro LiDAR module), and their morphometrical properties were calculated. Also, the site’s erosion rate and flash flood potential were calculated, showing high susceptibility to both. The final goal was to monitor the changes and to minimize the degradation of the unique landscape, thus better protecting the geosite and its value
Da li je povratak u prošlost šansa za održivu budućnost - studija slučaja - etno domaćinstvo "Merak"
No full textNostalgični turizam, kao sveprisutniji trend na globalnom turističkom tržištu, omogućava turistima da se, kroz autentično iskustvo, na kratko vrate u neka prošla vremena i da se povežu sa kulturnim i prirodnim nasleđem ruralnog prostora. Pored jačanja tržišne pozicije, ovaj oblik turizma stvara ekonomske i ekološke koristi za lokalne zajednice i time doprinosi revitalizaciji ruralnih sredina i održivom razvoju. Kako bi se utvrdilo da li razvoj nostalgičnog turizma može biti utemeljen na principima održivosti i u kojoj meri doprinosi očuvanju ekosistema, sproveden je intervju sa vlasnikom etno domaćinstva "Merak" u Vranju. Cilj rada je istražiti kako ovaj oblik turizma podstiče ekološki odgovoran razvoj, ali i ukazati na ključne izazove koji utiču na dugoročnu održivost i stvaranje sinergije između očuvanja tradicije i ekonomskog napretka. Rezultati rada višestruko doprinose nosiocima turističke ponude, kao i nadležnim institucijama da raspoložive resurse usmere ka razvijanju ovog, sve značajnijeg, oblika turizma i time uspostave ekonomski i ekološki prosperitet lokalnih zajednica.Urednici: Dejan Filipović, Velimir Šećerov, Dušan Ristić, Marina Ili
Integralno prostorno planiranje u funkciji sistemskog rešavanja problema zaštite klime u Srbiji
No full textKlimatske promene su jedan od najozbiljnijih izazova sa kojima se suočava savremeni svet. Porast prosečnih temperatura, intenziviranje ekstremnih vremenskih događaja i s njima povezana učestalost prirodnih nepogoda kao što su uragani, suše, povodnji - to su samo neke od posledica globalnog zagrevanja. Smatra se da je glavni uzrok globalnog zagrevanja emisija gasova sa efektom staklene bašte (GHG), i da su te emisije antropogenog porekla. Stoga postaje neophodno koristiti sve postojeće prostorno planerske instrumente, kako bi se smanjila emisija tih gasova, ali još je važnije prilagoditi se klimatskim promenama na lokalnom nivou, kako bi se smanjile smetnje i negativni efekti na čoveka, životnu sredinu i efi kasnost ekonomskih delatnosti. Pretnje koje proizilaze iz klimatskih promena su snažno geografski uslovljene. Srbija je zemlja sa velikom regionalnom raznolikošću životne sredine, tako da vrste i obim pretnji povezanih sa klimatskim promenama variraju u zavisnosti od lokacije, regionalnih klimatskih uslova i veličine i prostorne strukture gradova, što zahteva geografski diferenciran i koordinisan pristup prostornom planiranju. Borba sa klimatskim promenama se vodi kroz dva komplementarna pristupa. Jedan je proces mitigacije odnosno ublažavanja, a drugi je adaptacija odnosno prilagođavanje na izmenjene klimatske uslove. Proces mitigacije obično se smatra globalnim i dugoročnim merama zaštite klime, dok proces adaptacije podrazumeva mere i aktivnosti koje treba sprovesti uzimajući u obzir već izmenjene uslove i projekcije budućih promena. Mere i instrumenti prostornog planiranja imaju važnu ulogu u oba pristupa.Dejan Filipović, Velimir Šećerov, Dušan Ristić, Marina Ili