GEOHERITAGE SITES IN THE TERRITORIAL UNIT “NORTH OF THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF KOSOVO AND METOHIJA”
Abstract
This paper presents an assessment of geoheritage sites in the territorial unit “North of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija”, with the objective of identifying their scientific, educational, landscape–aesthetic, conservation, functional, and tourism values. The assessment of geoheritage sites was carried out using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), which enables an integrated, quantitative evaluation. The analysis encompassed five representative geoheritage sites and was based on data obtained from relevant scientific literature and field investigations. The results demonstrate that all analyzed sites exhibit medium to high values for the main indicators, confirming their considerable geoheritage potential. In contrast, the additional values are predominantly moderate, primarily due to insufficient protection measures, limited promotion, and underdeveloped tourism infrastructure. The identified imbalance between the main values and the level of their valorization underscores the need for a systematic and integrated approach to geoheritage management.
References
Banjac, N. 2005. The Inventory of Serbian Geoheritage Sites: Archives of the National Council for the Geoheritage of Serbia. Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. Belgrade, Serbia.
Borojević Šoštarić, S., Cvetković, V., Neubauer, F., Palinkaš, L. A., Bernroider, M. & Genser, J. 2012. Oligocene shoshonitic rocks of the Rogozna Mts. (Central Balkan Peninsula): Evidence of petrogenetic links to the formation of Pb–Zn–Ag ore deposits. Lithos, 148, pp. 176-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2012.05.028
Brilha J. B. R. 2002. Geoconservation and protected areas. Environmental Conservation, 29(3), pp. 273-276.
Burek, C. V. & Prosser, C. D. 2008. The history of geoconservation: an introduction. In Burek, C. V. & Prosser, C. D. (eds.) The History of Geoconservation, pp. 1-5, Geological Society, London.
Crutzen, P. J. & Stoermer, E. F. 2021. The ‘Anthropocene’ (2000). In: Benner, S., Lax, G., Crutzen, P.J., Pöschl, U., Lelieveld, J., Brauch, H.G. (eds.) Paul J. Crutzen and the Anthropocene: A New Epoch in Earth’s History. The Anthropocene: Politik-Economics-Society-Science, 41, pp. 19-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82202-6_2
Gavrilović, D., Menković, Lj. & Belij, S. 2005. The Inventory of Serbian Geoheritage Sites: Archives of the National Council for the Geoheritage of Serbia. Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. Belgrade, Serbia.
Gray, M. 2004. Geodiversity: Valuing and Conserving Abiotic Nature. Department of Geography. Queen Mary. University of London. pp. 2-68.
Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, 2022. Hydrological Heritage Sites. Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. Belgrade, Serbia.
Ivanović, D., Valjarević, A., Srećković-Batoćanin, D., Martić-Bursać, N., Vukoičić, D. & Ivanović M. 2020. Hydrogeothermal potentials of Rogozna mountain and possibility of their valorization. Open Geosciences, 11(1), pp. 1071-1083. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2019-0083
Ivanović, M. 2024. The relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity: A theoretical approach. Bulletin of Natural Sciences Research 14(1-2), pp. 26-33. https://doi.org/10.5937/bnsr14-54328
Hrnjak, I., Vasiljević, Đ., Marković, S. B., Vujičić, M. Đ., Lukić, T., Gavrilov, M. B., Basarin, B. & Kotrla, S. 2013. Primena preliminarnog modela valorizacije geolokaliteta (GAM) na Deliblatsku peščaru. Zbornik Radova, 2. Stručno naučni skup. Zaštita Prirode Južnog Banata, 2, pp. 59-65.
Kubalíková, L., Kirchner, K., Kuda, F. & Bajer, A. 2020, Assessment of Urban Geotourism Resources: An Example of Two Geocultural Sites in Brno, Czech Republic. Geoheritage, 12, e7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00434-x
Li, J., Yang, L., Pu, R. & Liu, Y. 2017. A review on anthropogenic geomorphology. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 27, pp. 109-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-017-1367-7
McNeely, J. A. & Miller, K. 1984. National Parks, Conservation, and Development. The Role of Protected Areas in Sustaining Societies. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C.
Mijović, D. 2005. The Inventory of Serbian Geoheritage Sites: Archives of the National Council for the Geoheritage of Serbia. Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. Belgrade, Serbia.
Nelson, J. G. & Serafin, R. 1997. Keys to life: Contributions of national parks and protected areas to heritage conservation, tourism, and sustainable development. pp. 2-10 in National Parks and Protected Areas: Keystones to Conservation and Sustainable Development. J. G. Nelson and R. Serafin, eds. NATO ASI Series, Vol. G-40. Berlin und Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
Official Gazette of RS, no. 36/09, 88/10, 91/10, 14/16, and 95/18. 2009. Law on Nature Protection.
Pemberton, M. 2001. Conserving Geodiversity, the Importance of Valuing our Geological Heritage. Paper presented to the Geological Society of Australia National Conference, 2001.
Petrović, D., Milinčić, M., Vukoičić, D., Ristić, D., Milinčić, U. & Potić, I. 2023. Evaluation and valorization of geoheritage of the Mount Rogozna Area (Serbia). Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 18(1), pp. 213-224. https://doi.org/10.26471/cjees/2023/018/252
Prosser, C. 2002. Terms of endearment. Earth Heritage, 17(1), pp. 12-13.
Prosser, C., Murphy, M. & Larwood, J. 2006. Geological conservation: a guide to good practice, 1-145, English Nature, Peterborough.
Reynard, E., Fontana, G., Kozlik, L. & Scapozza, C. 2007. A method for assessing „scientific” and „additional values” of geomorphosites. Geographica Helvetica, 62, pp. 148-158. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-148-2007
Serrano, E. & González-Trueba, J. J. 2005. Assessment of geomorphosites in natural protected areas: The Picos de Europa National Park (Spain). Géomorphologie. Formes Process, 3, pp. 197-208. https://doi.org/10.4000/geomorphologie.364
Sharples, C. 1995. Geoconservation in forest management – principles and procedures. Tasforests, 7(1), pp. 37-50, Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.
Sharples, C. 2002. Concepts and Principles of Geoconservation. PDF Document. Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service website.
Srećković-Batoćanin, D., Memović, E. & Cvetković, V. 1992. Piroklastični tokovi područja Brezanske glavice, Novi Pazar, Srbija. Geološki anali Balkanskog poluostrva, 55(1), pp. 359-374.
Stanley, M. 2001. Geodiversity. Earth Heritage, 14, pp 15-18.
Vujičić, M. D., Vasiljević, Đ. A., Marković, S. B., Hose, T. A., Lukić, T., Hadžić, O. & Janićević, S. 2011. Preliminary geosite assessment model (GAM) and its application on Fruška Gora mountain, potential geotourism destination of Serbia. Acta geographica Slovenica, 51(3), pp. 361-376.
Vukoičić, D., Ivanović, R., Radovanović, D., Dragojlović, J., Martić-Bursać, N., Ivanović, M. & Ristić, D. 2020. Assessment of Geotourism Values and Ecological Status of Mines in Kopaonik Mountain (Serbia). Minerals, 10, e269. https://doi.org/10.3390/min10030269
Wimbledon, W. A. P. 1996. National site selection, a stop on the way to a European Geosite list. Geologica Balcanica, 26, pp. 15-28.
Zouros, N. C. 2007. Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece. The case of the Lesvos island coastal geomorphosites. Geographica Helvetica, 62, pp. 169-180. https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-62-169-2007
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.