Djordjije A. Vasiljević

Preliminary geosite assessment model (gam) and its application on Fruška gora mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia

This paper presents a preliminary geosite physical assessment model which has the potential to assist in the sustainable planning and management of natural heritage locations and their transformation into tourism destination. The methodology is based on several existing models and presented through two groups of values – main and additional, which are further divided into indicators and subindicators respectively. The resultant model is a graph that consists of nine fields, into which geosites can be classified as fitting into nine general areas of suitability for tourism in terms of their main (scientific/educational, aesthetic/scenic and protection as market appeal and conservation) and additional values (functional and tourism use as current stage of development). This could prove to be of great help to natural heritage protection and tourism managers, as they could assess the current state of a geosite and thence propose a future path for it.

Defining the Nature and Purpose of Modern Geotourism with Particular Reference to the United Kingdom and South-East Europe

This paper presents an overview of the original United Kingdom development, definition of, and approach to modern geotourism. That approach had geoconservation and geo-interpretation as its key underpinning elements and was incorporated within the initial UNESCO geopark documentation. Since the opening of the twenty-first century, several agencies and authors have adopted a non-geoconservation, indeed sometimes a non-geological approach, to geotourism. Some of these misguided approaches permeate aspects of geotourism provision and management within protected and promoted landscapes such as some national parks and geoparks; thus, it is opportune to reaffirm geotourisms original rationale and approach. This paper necessarily examines and critiques the geotourism concept from its initial definition in the United Kingdom to the development of newer redefinitions and the present plethora of often contradictory and confusing approaches. It provides numerous historical and contemporary examples to underpin the discussion. Several geotourism models have already been developed but the rapid expansion of the geotourism literature indicates the need for their further refinement; hence, a revised geotourism definition together with a revised model is proffered. Finally, it summarises the ongoing impact of the original modern geotourism approach and its future application within Europe.

LOESS TOWARDS (GEO) TOURISM - PROPOSED APPLICATION ON LOESS IN VOJVODINA REGION (NORTH SERBIA)

Loess-palaeosol sequences preserve the most important continental record of climatic and environmental changes during the Quaternary. As a significant element of global geodiversity and geoheritage, loess-palaeosol sequences could be used as resources for a contemporary trend in sustainable tourism – geotourism. This form of tourism appreciates and promotes non-living nature (geodiversity) through its conservation and interpretation. This further leads to enhancing public awareness of these sites. In this study, we report on a proposal for establishing geotourism at the most important loess sites in the Vojvodina region.

Classification of natural disasters between the legislation and application: experience of the Republic of Serbia

The paper discusses the definitions of natural disasters and recommends the implementation of definitions and classifications of natural disasters in accordance with those decreed at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and Munich Re insurance Company (Munich RE) for administrative use in the Republic of Serbia. For the Republic of Serbia, the issue of natural disasters is presented both through government documents (e.g. the Law on Emergencies and the National Strategy of the Protection and Rescue in Emergencies) and the survey of the frequency and typology of disasters. Significant discrepancies exist between older and more contemporary classifications of disasters in Serbia. They are especially emphasized in comparison to the CRED and Munich RE classifications and databases. This causes problems in the monitoring, recording and assessment of the effects of natural disasters. It is proposed that definitions be adapted and implemented into legislative and other documents.

Appreciating loess landscapes through history: the basis of modern loess geotourism in the Vojvodina region of North Serbia

Abstract Loess is wind-blown sediment that covers extensive areas in the middle latitudes. Much of the loess in Eastern and Central–Eastern Europe has been redeposited by the River Danube and its tributaries. The case study area (Vojvodina region) encompasses the confluence area of the Danube, Sava and Tisa rivers. This region includes the most complete and the thickest loess–palaeosol sequences found in Europe, a valuable record of palaeo-climates over the past two million years only recognized in the closing decades of the twentieth century. Long before then however, several enthusiasts, engineers and travellers recognized and appreciated loess as a significant natural phenomenon. Among them was Luigi Ferdinando Marsigli (1658–1730) who gave the first scientific description of European loess in his outstanding multivolume work Danubius Pannonico Mysicus where he drew and explained notable loess–palaeosol exposures along the Danube River. Many other loess observations were also recorded by a number of international travellers, whose illustrated travelogues (mainly published in the nineteenth century) mentioned and illustrated loess observations along the Danube and its major tributaries. This chapter explores the interplay of scientific loess research and its geo-historical literary aspects as the foundations of modern loess geotourism.

A multi-criteria decision analysis with special reference to loess and archaeological sites in Serbia (Could geosciences and archaeology cohabitate?)

Abstract Geoarcheology is a term used to describe the work of experts who deal with the archeological record and combine the expertise of their different disciplines, mainly archeology and geology. Because such scientists have different educational backgrounds and use different research methods it was expected that they might value archeological sites (or geoarchaeological geosites) somewhat differently. The principal aim of this study is to show the results of the application of a GAM’s (Geosite Assessment Model) main values, rank indicators and sub-indicators according to the experts’ preferences and attitudes, as it was presumed that they are not of the same importance. For this purpose, the authors used a AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process), widely used in decision-making analysis, to define the criteria weights and rank the indicators. Two main groups of expert respondents, geoscientists and archeologists, were surveyed and gave their criteria weights. The results obtained by application of the AHP showed that there is a difference in indicator weights. While both groups gave their highest value to the scientific/educational indictor, the geoscientists gave their higher rank to the scenic/aesthetic rather than to the protection indicator, the archeologists ranked them opposite, and gave their higher rank to the protection indicator and lowest rank to the scenic/aesthetic indicator. This paper further provides information on group decision or consensus on weights and shows the final rankings for both groups, which are further examined and discussed.

Interpretation Possibilites of Geoheritage in Southeastern Serbia—Gorge and Canyon Study

Southeastern Serbia has a great potential for geo-interpretation. With extraordinary examples of karst forms: caves, gates, canyons, and gorges spread throughout this area, Southeastern Serbia truly is a rough stone. With the help of proper and professional interpretation of existing geosites, there is a possibility to promote, initiate, and conduct the conservation of these and many other ones. For the most suitable geosites for interpretation in this area, the authors have selected Jelašnica gorge, Sićevo gorge, Jerma gorge, and Rosomača canyon. The purpose of this paper is to show the possibilities of geological interpretation in the area of Southeastern Serbia and to state the close relation of interpretation to geoconservation. The paper will show a case study on the four most representative geological and geomorphological formations in the area, through presenting the gorges’ and canyon’s interpretation possibilities by using Bell’s (2008) types of interpretation which include Guided tours and walks, signs, panels, and boards that provide information about the attractions and the heritage and the significance, published guides, brochures, flyers, and other printed material, information and visitor centers, digital guides. The results show that there is a solid base for geoheritage as well as the institutional and human resources base for the development of interpretation in this area. However, the research showed shortcomings of the existing methodology and the future researches should strive to establish a quantitative model that will help managing the geosites and their interpretation and conservation.