Projects / Programmes
Landscape diversity and hotspots of Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.07 |
Social Sciences |
Social and economic geography |
geography, landscape, landscape diversity, landscape hotspot, geographical regionalization, geographical typification, landscape type, relief, rocks, climate, soils, vegetation, geographic information system, evaluation, regional development, Slovenia
Researchers (19)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Studies show that the most diverse areas in Europe are located in southern Scandinavia and on the margins of the Pyrenees and the Alps, where Slovenia also lies.
Slovenia’s high landscape diversity occurs where different landscape types meet. Areas with the highest landscape diversity can be defined as landscape hotspots.
Based on digital landscape data, which are the most significant for the internal structure of Slovenian landscapes and at the same time their external appearance, a geographic information system, relatively objective methods, and field verification will be employed to define areas with high landscape diversity and to determine Slovenia’s landscape hotspots.
Landscape diversity will be determined in three ways: according to the 5 existing geographical typifications and regionalizations of Slovenia, according to the 5 existing classifications of relief, rocks, climate, soils, and vegetation of Slovenia; and according to the approximately 20 natural landscape elements of Slovenia.
They will be defined, analyzed, classified, and evaluated as natural spatial units that specifically affect the social components of the landscape and respond in a specific way to spatial development by society and require suitable protection.
Thematic maps of the landscape diversity and landscape hotspots of Slovenia will be created as a tool for future research in various disciplines; in geographical classifications, typification, and regionalization of Slovenia; in spatial management; in spatial and economical development; in natural disasters; and in the protection of Slovenia’s natural heritage, especially the preservation of Slovenia’s outstanding landscape diversity.
Significance for science
The project provided new knowledge of geography of Slovenia and also helped to promote the use of quantitative methods in geography and related sciences. The project: - improve knowledge of the landscape diversity of Slovenia as one of its greatest natural assets, - identify the key natural elements that contribute the most to the exceptional landscape diversity in Slovenia, - quantitatively assess the landscape diversity of Slovenia, which is usually only qualitatively assessed, - identify where in Slovenia the greatest variety of natural elements can be expected, - improve knowledge of the laws of reciprocal influence among natural elements of the landscape, - evaluate and supervise the quality of relief, lithological, climatic, hydrological, pedological and vegetation data in Slovenia, - provide applicable results such as thematic maps that become a scientific resource for new research in this field. Beside providing new knowledge we were also try to develop new methods in geography. We developed and promoted the use of quantitative methods (such as geographical information systems, statistics, machine learning) in geography and related scoences. We: - complemented the methodology for determining areas with highest landscape diversity (hotspots), - improved and expanded the methodology of landscape research of Slovenia, - improved and expanded the methodology of natural landscape typification of Slovenia, - stimulated scientific discussion on geographical regionalization, typification, and other divisions of Slovenia, particularly about the methodology, terminology, and concrete results in this field, - introduced new methodological solutions and models into geography, - examined innovative use of geographic information systems. Methodological and thematical contribution has an applicative importance, since it: - increase the importance of geography as an applied discipline, - perform an evaluation, which will be pointed to a variety of potential hotspots and will serve as a useful basis of information in development planning, - develop proposals for the protection of landscape diversity and the introduction of nature trails at hotspots. - increase the effectiveness and applicability of geographic information systems, - strengthen the importance of fieldwork as a key element in testing the results of quantitative analyses, - contribute to better presentation of geographical characteristics of Slovenia in foreign countries. The results of the project are important for geography and its related sciences in the pure and applied fields as well as for tourism, regional planning, the preservation of the countryside and settling, agriculture, planning proper land use, landscape ecology, and the preservation of Slovenia’s natural and cultural heritage.
Significance for the country
The findings of the project could be applicable in a number of fields in Slovenia: - in the development and promotion of new tourist destinations, - in the formation of national measures for more suitable management in the area of hotspots (the area of high landscape diversity), - in harmonizing further economic and other development relative to environment limitations and economic needs in the area of hotspots (the area of high landscape diversity), - in various interventions by the competent institutions into environment, - in the recording of areas with heterogeneous natural conditions, which require more detailed planning and increased volume of fieldwork, - in the recording of areas where we can expect greater biodiversity; such areas may require special treatment or even protection, - in developing national and municipal measures for planning further spatial development in the area of high landscape diversity, - in drawing up standard and detailed municipal spatial plans, - in the protection of Slovenia’s natural heritage, - in determining hotspots vulnerability due to human activities (settlement, economy, transport), - in preparing geographical and other school textbooks for different level of education, - in the transfer of new research methods and typologies in the study program of geography and related disciplines, - in changing the value perception of people regarding the natural landscape diversity of Slovenia as a national asset. Other scientific branches will be able to make good use of the results of the project in their own research work, as will state and private institutions and administrative authorities on the national and local level as a reference for their appropriate planning of the most varied developments and various organizations in their promotion of Slovenia as a country with great natural landscape diversity.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
final report
