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Most high-mountain regions worldwide are susceptible to snow avalanches during the winter or all year round. In this study, a Universal Snow Avalanche Modeling Index is developed, suitable for determining avalanche hazard in mountain regions. The first step in the research is the collection of data in the field and their processing in geographic information systems and remote sensing. In the period 2023–2024, avalanches were mapped in the field, and later, avalanches as points in geographic information systems (GIS) were overlapped with the dominant natural conditions in the study area. The second step involves determining the main criteria (snow cover, terrain slope, and land use) and evaluating the values to obtain the Snow Avalanche Formation Index (SAFI). Thresholds obtained through field research and the formation of avalanche inventory were used to develop the SAFI index. The index is applied with the aim of identifying locations susceptible to avalanche formation (source areas). The values used for the calculation include Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI > 0.6), terrain slope (20–60°) and land use (pastures, meadows). The third step presents the analysis of SAFI locations with meteorological conditions (winter precipitation and winter air temperature). The fourth step is the modeling of the propagation (simulation) of other parts of the snow avalanche in the Flow-R software 2.0. The results show that 282.9 km2 of the study area (Šar Mountains, Serbia) is susceptible to snow avalanches, with the thickness of the potentially triggered layer being 50 cm. With a 5 m thick snowpack, 299.9 km2 would be susceptible. The validation using the ROC-AUC method confirms a very high predictive power (0.94). The SAFI–Flow-R approach offers snow avalanche modeling for which no avalanche inventory is available, representing an advance for all mountain areas where historical data do not exist. The results of the study can be used for land use planning, zoning vulnerable

Geomorphometric analysis provides crucial insights into the hydrological characteristics by delineating the land-surface features of a drainage basin. The study focused on analyzing the geomorphometric parameters of the Montenegrin segment of the Ibar River drainage basin using the ALOS Global Digital Surface Model 30 m (AW3D30). Geomorphometric parameters, covering linear and areal parameters, were computed using standard mathematical formulas in LibreOffice Calc software and hydrology tools in commercial GIS software ArcGIS, as well as open-source software QGIS with SAGA GIS modules. Results reveal a dendritic pattern in the stream network, with an inverse relationship between stream length and order, and an elevated bifurcation ratio indicating heightened vulnerability to flooding, influenced by geological, geomorphological, and climatic factors. Furthermore, examination of diverse areal morphometric parameters, such as drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, circularity ratio, and elongation ratio, unveils the hydrological dynamics of the Ibar basin. This characterization illustrates the region as possessing high permeability and dense vegetation cover, suggesting vulnerability to erosion and consequent effects on water and sediment discharge. Additionally, this study underscores the significance of user-defined parameters in geomorphometric modeling, particularly in selecting algorithms within analysis software, which significantly impact drainage basin parameters.

The development of climate indices and their application can influence the preferences of tourists and the time frame for visiting the locality. This study develops a new Heritage Climate Index (HERCI) that finds its application in assessing climate comfort for visiting geoheritage and cultural heritage objects. The study analyzed the geoheritage site in Western Serbia (Stopića Cave) and the cultural heritage site in Eastern Serbia (Golubac Fortress). The index was developed to represent climatic comfort on a monthly basis and consisted of five climatic elements. The values of the HERCI index were obtained based on the multi-criteria decision-making model—the Best–Worst method (BWM). The results were classified into five classes, depending on the degree of conformity. After a comparative analysis of the index results for four localities and their attendance for the period 2012–2021 and 2019–2022, it was determined that there is a very high level of correlation (>0.9). This is the first study to use the BWM to develop and analyze a climate index. From the aspect of tourism policy, this study significantly contributes to tourism organizations and tourists in better understanding climate comfort and making decisions about the organization’s time frame and realization of the travel.

Identifikacija potencijalnih lokacija za izgradnju solarnih elektrana predstavlja važan korak u korišćenju održivih energetskih resursa. U ovoj studiji, primenom višekriterijumske analize odlučivanja (GIS-BVM) zasnovane na geografskim informacionim sistemima (GIS) i Best-Worst modelu (BWM) identifikovane su najpogodnije parcele za izgradnju solarnih elektrana. Istraživanje je podrazumevalo analizu i evaluaciju prirodnih i antropogenih uslova na teritoriji Jablaničkog okruga. Teritorija južne Srbije odlikuje se velikom količinom energije globalnog zračenja na horizontalnu površinu. Na osnovu hijerarhije prioriteta, svakom kriterijumu su dodeljeni različiti težinski koeficijenti. Model razmatra različite aspekte, kao što su: ekonomski, ekološki i tehnički. Rezultati su klasifikovani u pet klasa, u zavisnosti od pogodnosti teritorije za instalaciju fotonaponskih panela. Integracija GIS-a sa višekriterijumskim metodama predstavlja pouzdanu tehniku za sistematsko bavljenje geoprostornim podacima sa ciljem zaštite životne sredine i povećanja procenta korišćenja obnovljivih izvora energije.

Adequate disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of Serbia’s most complex environmental challenges. The problem is more serious in urban areas, since large amounts of waste are disposed of in locations that do not comply with environmental, technical, and socio-economic standards. Such is the case for the city of Kraljevo, where about 116,000 inhabitants do not have a sanitary landfill facility. This research includes a multi-criteria analysis, conducted with the help of geographic information systems, to find a suitable landfill site location. After data collection, the first step was to process 15 environmental and socio-economic factors utilizing the fuzzy analytic-hierarchy process method. The second step comprised the visual analysis and selection of the ten most suitable locations from the synthetic convenience map. The third step involved the final ranking of sites by means of the fuzzy multi-objective analysis by ratio, plus the full multiplicative form method, based on four additional beneficial and non-beneficial criteria. The results show that sanitary landfill candidate site A4 is the most suitable location for constructing a sanitary landfill site due to its large area (569 ha) and relatively short distance from the urban zone (8 km). This study is the first to integrate geographic information systems and the fuzzy analytic-hierarchy process, multi-objective analysis by ratio, and the full multiplicative form algorithm for sanitary landfill selection. The results of the research can be used as a reference for safe waste disposal in the city of Kraljevo.

Tokom poslednjih 40 godina, daljinska detekcija našla je veliku primenu u kontinuiranom praćenju stanja životne sredine. U ovom radu je upotrebom Landsat 8 satelitskih snimaka i geografskih informacionih sistema (GIS) analizirano stanje, odnosno promena vegetacijskog pokrivača za prostor nacionalnog parka (NP) Kopaonik. Intenzivna izgradnja objekata u okviru NP uslovila je sve veću transformaciju zelenih površina u veštačke. Kako bi se utvrdio stepen ogolićenosti zemljišta i površina pod šumskim pokrivačem, korišćena su dva indeksa: Bare-soil index (BSI) i Normalized diff erence vegetation index (NDVI). Za potrebe komparativne analize, obrađivani su snimci iz 2014. i 2021. godine. Kao konačan produkt istraživanja i obrade u GIS-u, dobijene su četiri karte na osnovu kojih se može zaključiti da se prostor pod šumama tokom 2021. smanjio u odnosu na 2014, a da se procenat površine koju pokrivaju ogolićena zemljišta i oskudna vegetacija, povećao u odnosu na 2014.

Snow avalanches are one of the most devastating natural hazards in the highlands that often cause human casualties and economic losses. The complex process of modeling terrain susceptibility requires the application of modern methods and software. The prediction of avalanches in this study is based on the use of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and multicriteria analysis—analytic hierarchy process (AHP) on the territory of the Šar Mountains (Serbia). Five indicators (lithological, geomorphological, hydrological, vegetation, and climatic) were processed, where 14 criteria were analyzed. The results showed that approximately 20% of the investigated area is highly susceptible to avalanches and that 24% of the area has a medium susceptibility. Based on the results, settlements where avalanche protection measures should be applied have been singled out. The obtained data can will help local self-governments, emergency management services, and mountaineering services to mitigate human and material losses from the snow avalanches. This is the first research in the Republic of Serbia that deals with GIS-AHP spatial modeling of snow avalanches, and methodology and criteria used in this study can be tested in other high mountainous regions.

Landslides and slope processes constitute one of the most frequent natural hazards in valleys near major rivers and mountainous regions. The surface layer, characterized by its relatively loose composition, is prone to sliding due to a combination of distinct natural and human-related factors (i.e. landslide causal factors (CF)). Along the right bank of the Danube River, specific sections of Smederevo city face considerable susceptibility to landslide activation, frequently resulting in substantial material losses and posing a risk to the local populace. This study entails on-site investigation, involving the mapping of recent landslides, coupled with database analysis through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced remote sensing techniques. The initial analysis encompasses geological characteristics, morphometric conditions, hydrological and climatic factors, as well as anthropogenic influences such as land use, all contributing to soil instability. Employing GIS alongside the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) technique, specifically the Best-Worst Method (BWM), yielded insights into landslide susceptibility within the territory of Smederevo city respectively. By visualizing areas highly prone to such disastrous occurrences, policymakers are empowered to enact more suitable environmental protection measures and institute sustainable management practices for agricultural parcels in this region.

The most significant effects of climate change are related to temperature and precipitation. Changes in precipitation and temperature patterns affect water resource capacity, agricultural activities, global biodiversity and emergency management. In this study, using two statistical models (Mann-Kendall and Pettit’s test), climate data for the territory of Belgrade in the time interval 1961-2020 were processed. Trends were analyzed: average annual temperatures, average monthly temperatures, annual and monthly precipitation amounts. The aim of the research is to determine the statistical significance of the increasing/decreasing temperature and precipitation trends on a monthly and annual basis. Based on the obtained results, it was determined that the changing point of the annual temperature is in 1997, while a statistically significant increasing trend was observed in all months except November. The increasing trend recorded by the precipitation amount is 0.345 mm/year, but without statistical significance. The most significant results corresponding to July and October.

The Western Balkans (WB) region is highly prone to water erosion processes, and therefore, the estimation of rainfall erosivity (R-factor) is essential for understanding the complex relationships between hydro-meteorological factors and soil erosion processes. The main objectives of this study are to (1) estimate the spatial-temporal distribution R-factor across the WB region by applying the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methodology with data for the period between 1991 and 2020 and (2) apply cluster analysis to identify places of high erosion risk, and thereby offer a means of targeting suitable mitigation measures. To assess R-factor variability, the ERA5 reanalysis hourly data (0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution) comprised 390 grid points were used. The calculations were made on a decadal resolution (i.e., for the 1990s, the 2000s, and the 2010s), as well as for the whole study period (1991–2020). In order to reveal spatial patterns of rainfall erosivity, a k-means clustering algorithm was applied. Visualization and mapping were performed in python using the Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Cartopy libraries. Hourly precipitation intensity and monthly precipitation totals exhibited pronounced variability over the study area. High precipitation values were observed in the SW with a >0.3 mm h−1 average, while the least precipitation was seen in the Pannonian Basin and far south (Albanian coast), where the mean intensity was less than an average of 0.1 mm h−1. R-factor variability was very high for both the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methods. The mean R-factor calculated by RUSLE2 was 790 MJ mm ha−1·h−1·yr−1, which is 58% higher than the mean R-factor obtained from RUSLE (330 MJ mm ha−1·h−1·yr−1). The analysis of the R-factor at decadal timescales suggested a rise of 14% in the 2010s. The k-means algorithm for both the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methods implies better spatial distribution in the case of five clusters (K = 5) regarding the R-factor values. The rainfall erosivity maps presented in this researc

The Juzna Morava basin covers an area of 15,469 km2, its surface area and hydrological peculiarities require constant research. Imbalances of small, medium and large waters, torrential and erosive events are frequent. Average flows are statistically obtained values, which are most often used in practice when analyzing and preparing studies for further monitoring purposes The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimation were applied for trend observation, and the Pettit test was used to determine the breaking point in the analyzed time series. Data collected on the hydrological profile of Mojsinje (Juzna Morava) in the time interval 1961-2020 were processed The average annual flow (Qavg) is the most important hydrological indicator for observing trends in longer time series; mean monthly and seasonal flows were also analyzed. Based on the applied tests, it was determined that the water level on the hydrological profile decreases (0.70m3/s/year) without statistical significance, while the results obtained for May are the most significant (-2.10m3/s). The breaking point of the average discharges for most of the data series was recorded in the early 1980s (1982–1984), which coincides with the pluviometric regime in the basin. The analysis of seasonal hydrological events in the basin shows negative trends, most significant in winter. In order to determine wet and dry years, they have been classified according to water richness using the SDI index.

In this paper predisposition of the terrain for the emergence of torrents by application of Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) was made. Due to great ecological importance of this area, it is necessary to continuously monitor the state of the environment. High rainfall over a short period of time is the main cause of torrential floods, and because of the high elevation of Vlasina, the average annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm. The method used to determine the predisposition of a landscape of exceptional qualities (LOEQ) "Vlasina" on occurrence of torrential flood is the Flash Flood Potential Index (FFPI). To identify the possibility of torrential floods occurence, natural conditions were analyzed: slope of the terrain, types of geological substrate, vegetation density and the way the land use. Using the GIS tool, a map of the susceptibility of terrain to the occurrence of torrents in the territory of LOEQ "Vlasina" was obtained, and the classification of rivers was made based on the probability of occurrence of torrential floods on them.

The municipality of Štrpce (Southern Serbia) is an area located within Šar Mountain National Park, which is of great ecological importance. Due to the vicinity of settlements, it is necessary to analyze the terrain's susceptibility to natural hazards. The main goal of this research was to determine locations that are highly vulnerable at times of natural hazards (such as earthquakes, erosion, torrential flooding, snow avalanches, and forest fires). The first step in this research was to analyze seismic hazards for a 475 years return period (VII–VIII MCS for the observed area), which was possible by means of Geographic Information Systems. The second step was to determine the intensity of erosion and total sediment production using the Erosion Potential Model. The third step was related to the analysis of the potential of torrential floods using the Flash Flood Potential Index. The Avalanches Potential Index method was used as the fourth step. The fifth step included the analysis of a terrain susceptibility to the occurrence of forest fires. Following the five criteria analysis, weight coefficients were assigned to each of the analyzed parameters by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which provided results of the total susceptibility to natural hazards of the territory of Štrpce. Results indicated that over 45% of the municipality is highly or very highly susceptible to various natural hazards. This article represents a significant step toward a better understanding of natural hazards and it provides a unique knowledge basis for establishing the management and mitigation guidelines and measures, not only within the researched area but at regional and national levels as well.

Usled porasta trenda količine padavina u zapadnoj Srbiji, broj prirodnih nepogoda u ovom kraju Srbije se tokom poslednjih nekoliko decenija povećava. Cilj ovog rada je analiza trenda godišnjih i sezonskih količina padavina tokom dva klimatološka perioda, 1961-1980. i 1981-2019. godine. Za prepoznavanje trenda korišćen je Mann-Kendall test, dok je za ocenu krivine nagiba linearnog trenda primenjivan Senov test procene. Primenom standardne devijacije određene su sušne i vlažne godine tokom istraživanog perioda. Na osnovu obrađenih podataka i dobijenih rezultata, može se zaključiti da je trend godišnjih i sezonskih količina padavina na primeru klimatološke stanice Loznica u porastu. Statistički značaj utvrđen je za godišnji trend padavina (nivo 0,1) i zimski period godine (nivo 0,1). Poznavanje trenda količine padavina je izuzetno važno sa aspekta zaštite životne sredine i biodiverziteta, jer je klimatološki faktor jedan od najznačajnijih u analizi prirodnih hazarda, poljoprivrednih aktivnosti, vodnih resursa itd.

Today, the quality of water in the world is changing significantly due to the increasing human impact on the environment. The paper presents an analysis of the surface water quality of the Danube river at five hydrological stations in Serbia for 2018. Using the relevant method - the water quality index, in this case, the Serbian water quality index (SWQI) ten physico-chemical and microbiological parameters (oxygen saturation, Five-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand or BOD5, ammonium ion concentration, pH value, water) were analyzed Total Nitrogen or WTN, Total Suspended Solids or TSS, orthophosphate concentration, electrical conductivity, temperature and fecal coliform bacteria presence in water). The values obtained are classified in 5 classes depending on the water quality. The lowest (good) water quality was recorded on the Zemun - Smederevo river course, while in Bezdan, Novi Sad and Radujevac, the average annual water quality is very good.

Jonizujuće (radioaktivno) zračenje predstavlja jednu od većih nepoznanica kada je u pitanju koncentracija ovih čestica na prostoru AP Kosova i Metohije. U radu je prikazana analiza jonizujućeg zračenja u vazduhu na teritoriji opštine Štrpce. Upotrebom odgovarajućeg uređaja za merenje jonizujućeg zračenja i geografskih informacionih sistema, izvršeno je merenje na 25 lokacija širom opštine. Terenskim istraživanjem i kabinetskim radom dobijeni su geoprostorni podaci na osnovu kojih je formirana karta jonizujućeg zračenja za teritoriju Štrpca. U skladu za postojećom zakonskom regulativom i podzakonskim aktima, izvršena je komparativna analiza dobijenih vrednosti sa graničnim vrednostima propisanim za Republiku Srbiju. Cilj rada je prikaz trenutne koncentracije radionuklida u vazuduhu na teritoriji opštine Štrpce.

Buka predstavlja jedan od najvećih problema današnjice u gusto naseljenim mestima. U radu su izvršena merenja nivoa buke kao jednog od indikatora stanja životne sredine. Kombinacijom kabinetskog i terenskog istraživanja obrađen je, i kartografski prikazan nivo buke tokom dana i noći za teritoriju opštine Štrpce. U zavisnosti od namene prostora (zona) i u skladu sa Zakonskim i podzakonskim okvirima koji bliže određuju ovu oblast, izdvojeno je 10 lokacija i izvršeno merenje na otvorenom prostoru. Upotrebom odgovarajućih GIS softverskih paketa i uređaja za merenje nivoa buke, zabeležene su i interpretirane vrednostiizražene u decibelima. Izvršena je identifikacija lokacija na kojima vrednosti prelaze propisane granične vrednosti. Cilj rada je utvrđivanje predloga mera za umanjenje nivoa buke na teritoriji opštine Štrpce kako bi se kvalitetnije upravljalo životnom sredinom.

Virus Covid-19 izazvao je velike promene u načinu života ljudi širom sveta. U slučaju epidemije i vanredne situacije na teritoriji jedne zemlje, veoma je značajno identifikovati potencijalna žarišta virusa i primeniti odgovarajuće mere u uklanjanju i ublažavanju istih. Upotrebom geografskih informacionih sistema (GIS) i dostupne baze podataka, moguće je pratiti prostorno i vremensko širenje virusa iz jedne lokalne samouprave u drugu, i tumačiti uzroke i posledice ove pojave i procesa. U ovom radu, pomoću GIS softverskih paketa i otvorenih podataka, analiziran je i kartografski prikazan broj zaraženih u Republici Srbiji po opštinama, u određenim kritičnim periodima, kao i broj novozaraženih u određenim vremenskim intervalima tokom trajanja vanrednog stanja.

Remote sensing, presented in the form of high-resolution satellite images, is essential in monitoring snow cover and the state of the environment. Due to the increase in the spatial resolution of the images, the Sentinel-2 mission improved the research of natural conditions and processes on the topographic surface. This paper presents changes in the snow cover of National Park Šar planina during 3 winter seasons: from December 2018 to April 2021. The study is based on the analysis of 33 satellite images where snow cover has been estimated using a combination of Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and S3 indices with suitable thresholds. According to the final results, the trend of decreasing the area of snow cover was observed. During the first season 91.75% of the study area was covered with snow, while in the next two seasons these percentages were lower - 79.94% and 72.84% retrospectively. The final result coincides with the trend of climate change, which is reflected in the increasingly intense warming of glaciers in the largest mountains and the decreasing amount of snowfall. It is believed that the obtained results will provide an adequate overview of the local population in terms of tourism and agricultural activities, as well as proper management of water resources in settlements that provide fresh water from reservoirs of mountain rivers that spring on the Šar Planina.

In urban areas, forest patches and parks are usually the places where people spend most of their time outdoors. Because of poor environmental protection policy and insufficient investment in industry and energy, Serbia is often ranked among the European countries with the greatest environmental pollution. In recent years, ecological protests have been organized throughout the country with the aim of raising ecological awareness and resolving environmental issues. The topic has become particularly popular since the plans for opening new mining areas in western Serbia came to the fore. This study was conducted with the aim to investigate radioactivity levels and metals content in soil and foliage of the most popular parks in Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia. Based on a GIS (geographic information system) approach, the spatial distribution maps of radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 7Be, and 137Cs) and metals (As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn) were made. Ambient dose-equivalent rate in air was also measured. The annual effective doses and excess lifetime cancer risk from radionuclides were calculated. Health effects of exposure to heavy metals in soil were estimated by noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment.

Predmet istraživanja rada je revitalizacija braunfi lda (brownfi eld) kao faktor rešavanja komunalno-higijenskih problema na teritoriji gradskog naselja Beograd. Pod braunfi ldima se najčešće podrazumevaju napušteni industrijski kompleksi, nekadašnji vojni kompleksi, železnički koridori i stanice, napuštene javne ustanove, nehigijenska naselja. Prilikom istraživanja analizirana je planska dokumentacija i obavljena su terenska istraživanja kako bi se utvrdilo recentno stanje. Dominantni komunalno-higijenski problemi koji se javljaju u zonama braunfi lda su: izostanak uređenja prostora, formiranje smetlišta, problem opasnog otpada i materija i mogućnost pojave akcidenata, formiranje nehigijenskih naselja, zagađenje zemljišta, neprijatni mirisi, narušavanje estetike predela. Osim komunalno-higijenskih problema, braunfi ldi mogu proizvesti i ekonomske i socijalne probleme. Cilj istraživanja je utvrđivanje činjenica i potvrde hipoteze da je revitalizacijom braunfi lda u urbanoj zoni moguće umanjiti ili otkloniti komunalno-higijenske probleme, ali i da je neadekvatnom revitalizacijom braunfi lda moguće stvoriti nove komunalno-higijenske probleme.

Prostor Srbije duže od pola veka karakteriše proces izrazite socio-ekonomske i ekološke polarizacije. Ovaj obrazac je zastupljen od lokalnog, preko regionalnog do nacionalnog nivoa. Planinske prostore karakteriše relativna očuvanost ekoloških, na jednoj strani i devastacija socio- ekonomskih resursa i uslova, na drugoj. Zato je zaštita životne sredine i prostora tokom proteklog vremena najčešće bila usmerena prema ekološki očuvanim planinskim teritorijama. Međutim, vremenom je ova zaštita postala nova determinanta ograničenja njihovog socio-ekonomskog razvoja. Ova nova spoljna funkcija i nametnuta ekološka ograničenja dodatno redukuju razvojni kapacitet ovih teritorija i njihovih naselja. Osim nekoliko primera očuvanja i podizanja gornje granice privrednih i naseobinskih aktivnosti (turistički centri) planinske prostore Srbije dominantno karakteriše socio- ekonomski zastoj i nazadovanje, a sve češće i populacioni i naseobinski slom. Niska koncentracija, disperznost i smanjena vitalnost stanovništva i naselja dodatno otežavajaju i poskupljuju održavanje i opremanje infrastrukture na ovim prostorima. Ovakve tendencije vode uvećanju nevalorizovanih potencijala (prirodnih i socijanih) nacionalne teritorije. Vremenom razvojne disproporcije mogu postati ograničavajući faktor realizacije drugih strateških ciljeva egzistencije i razvoja države. Zato socio-ekonomsku obnovu ovih prostora, sa težištem na revitalizaciji naselja, treba shvatiti kao potrebu da se recentno stanje sanira a razvojni tokovi usmere u pravcu najmanjih ukupnih negativnih efekata.

This paper analyses the state of erosion intensity in the Vlasina River Basin, the right tributary of the Južna Morava River. To determine the erosion intensity (Z) and sediment production, the Gavrilović method was used, in combination with the bare-soil index (BSI), with the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and multispectral satellite imagery. An erosion coefficient of 0.31 has been identified in the territory of the Vlasina River Basin, which has an area of 1,061.72 km². The prominent vertical fragmentation of the relief, large amount of precipitation in the source parts, density of the river network (1.65 km/km 2), which is above the average river network density in Serbia, as well as inadequate land exploitation, are the main reasons why it is necessary to monitor the erosion intensity in the Vlasina River Basin. The annual production of the sediment is 462,496.30 m³, while the value of specific sediment production is 435,47 m³/km²/year. This study represents the attempt to apply modern technologies to d1etermine the intensity of erosion in the Vlasina River Basin, and the results obtained could be used for more adequate management of land and water resources, sustainable planning of the forest ecosystems and environmental protection., U ovom radu analizirano je stanje intenziteta erozije u slivu reke Vlasine, desne pritoke Južne Morave. Za određivanje intenziteta erozije (Z) i produkcije nanosa korišćen je metod Gavrilovića u kombinaciji sa indeksom ogolićenosti zemljišta (BSI), primenom geografskih informacionih sistema (GIS) i multispektralnih satelitskih snimaka. Na teritoriji sliva Vlasine koji ima površinu od 1.061,72 km2, identifikovan je koeficijent erozije od 0,31. Izražena vertikalna raščlanjenost reljefa, velika količina padavina u izvorišnim delovima, gustina rečne mreže (1,65 km/km2) koja je iznad prosečne gustine rečne mreže u Srbiji, kao i neadekvatan način korišćenja zemljišta predstavljaju glavne razloge zbog kojih je potrebno pratiti intenzitet erozije u slivu Vlasine. Godišnja produkcija nanosa iznosi 462.496,30 m3, dok je vrednost specifične produkcije nanosa 435,47 m3/km2/god. Ovaj rad predstavlja pokušaj primene savremenih tehnologija za određivanje intenziteta erozije u slivu Vlasine, a dobijeni rezultati se mogu koristiti za adekvatnije upravljanje zemljišnim i vodnim resursima, održivo planiranje šumskih ekosistema i zaštitu životne sredine.

U ovom radu primenom geografskih informacionih sistema (GIS), metodom valorizacije i eliminacije, izvršena je identifikacija pogodnih lokacija za primenu solarne energije, odnosno izgradnju solarnih elektrana koje bi smanjile količinu sagorevanja fosilnih goriva i doprinele održivom razvoju. Analizirani su prirodni i antropogeni uslovi. Od prirodnih uslova, kabinetskim radom obrađene su morfometrijske karakteristike terena (nagib i ekspozicija), namena zemljišta, prisutnost zaštićenih područja, a od antropogenih uslova istražena je blizina saobraćajnica. Svi prirodni uslovi su kartografski prikazani u vidu tematskih karata, a kao konačan proizvod dobija se finalna, sintezna karta pogodnosti lokacija za eksploataciju solarne energije. Najveći potencijal solarne energije u Srbiji prisutan je u južnom i jugoistočnom delu zemlje, iz tog razloga je kao studija slučaja, analizirana opština Pirot.

Combustion of fossil fuels in thermal power plants releases large quantities of pollutants, the excessive air emission of which leads to health problems of the nearby population but also the disturbance of the state of all elements of the environment. The operation of the thermal power plant in the municipality of Obilić and the emission of pollutants endanger the population of Kosovo District in a health and ecological sense. By valorization and elimination methods, the paper analyzes the natural and anthropogenic conditions that have the most significant impact on the potential construction of solar power plants which would completely replace the operation of the thermal power plant and all the quantity of electricity generated by coal combustion. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used to analyze and interpret factors affecting the spatial distribution of potential solar power plants: terrain slope, relief aspect, land use method, protected areas, the proximity of roads and settlements. By analyzing the above factors, thematic maps showing the most suitable surfaces were obtained. Overlaying of thematic maps gave a synthesis map which provides an adequate view of appropriate locations for the construction of solar power plants. A comparative analysis was done between the strength of the existing thermal power plant and the potential installed powers of solar power plants which would fully supply the area of Kosovo District, as well as other districts in the territory of A. P. Kosovo and Metohija.