The article presents a simple quantitative model for geodiversity evaluation, which merges spatial relationship of geodiversity elements with terrain data. The model is partially automated in geographic information system tools to eliminate the majority of subjectivity in evaluation. As a result, it can be used for different environment types and is applicable for comparative studies. The method was applied to the Škocjan Caves Regional Park, which is one of the most diverse karst areas in the world. The geodiversity element types were identified through remote sensing data and basic field mapping. Their diversity was subsequently defined through block statistic tools in a geographic information system programme. The geodiversity index was calculated from a number of different geodiversity element types within defined spatial units and from the terrain ruggedness index. Areas of high geodiversity index or geodiversity hotspots are in strong correlation with the most diverse areas of the regional park, which are also currently promoted for geotouristic and educational purposes.
COBISS.SI-ID: 63468386
The article examines issues of local water resources using Bela Krajina as an example - a rural, karst landscape in south-eastern Slovenia. In the field, we made an inventory of 261 different water resources, analysing their past and current use along with their role in the life of the local population and assessing their hydrogeological sensitivity and hydroecological threat they face. With the introduction of distributed water systems, water resources lost their traditional importance in terms of water supply, with local population's reliance on and knowledge about them fading. Nevertheless, certain local communities have recently recognized their natural and cultural value, as well as their importance to ecosystems, which is reflected in initiatives for the preservation, protection and restoration of individual water resources. Most of Bela Krajina's water resources are very sensitive to pollution due to the karst surface, however the actual hydroecological threat they face from human activities in their catchments is relatively low.
COBISS.SI-ID: 63945826
This paper aims to reflect education for sustainable development (ESD) principles and their manifestation in higher education (HE) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries which share a similar policy situation owing to post-socialist transition processes. Design/methodology/approach – Observations from comprehensive mapping of ESD in professional development of university educators in CEE within the University Educators for Sustainable Development project provided the initial input for this research. Findings – Opportunities for educators - competence development are lower and less diverse in the CEE region than in other parts of Europe. Originality/value – This research is based on more than two years of cooperation within a broad partnership of European universities; it represents a contribution to the debate from a specific regional perspective. It shows opportunities for critical, creative and participatory approaches in HE, analyses current
COBISS.SI-ID: 65139042
The paper is analyzing the contemporary processes inside border areas. Due to different political destinies trough near past, the distinct border sectors developed various types of borderlands: mainly open and structurally asymetric in the west and north and close-like and symetric on the east. The border toward Croatia is the youngest and therefore still in turbulent accomodation to the border situations. The paper take special attention to recent spatial processes: from close and rich crossborder cooperation to ignorance or abandonding of planning measures and avoidance. Second main attention is taken to the minorities settled inside borderlends and their influence to borderlands.
COBISS.SI-ID: 65570658
Sustainable mobility has been an important field of research on the department of Geography for about 15 years. In this period activities on this filed have focused firstly on case studies of transport air pollution and its various spatial impacts. In second period of research activities, the Department of Geography focused also on educational and didactical aspects of sustainable mobility. Work with primary and secondary schools, preparing the guidelines and didactical materials for teachers was also one of the activities. In 2017 we published a publication »Implementation of Sustainable Mobility in Education«, which shows theoretical aspects of sustainable mobility (Part 2), Slovenian legislative framework for sustainable mobility (Part 3) and practical aspects of teaching sustainable mobility (Parts 4-7). This publication was already 6th publication published or prepared on the Department of Geography from a field of sustainable mobility since 2008.
COBISS.SI-ID: 290146048