Toplica district represents an area in Southern Serbia with significant forms of geoheritage that have not been valorized yet. The aim of this pioneering study is to systematically analyze and evaluate all manifestations of the geodiversity in the Toplica district. Based on the geological importance, degree of attractiveness, and size, a total of six geosites were selected. The main goal of the study is to emphasize the insufficient utilization of huge geotourism potentials of the Toplica district and to determine the current geotourism development and geotourism potential of evaluated geosites. The geotourism suitability of each geosite is defined through comparative analysis. The Geosite Assessment Model (GAM) is used to assess the current state of the various elements of geodiversity in the study area. Positioning within the GAM matrix is defined by the values of the investigated parameters. Visualization of the distribution of the GAM indicators is an innovative approach for the interpretation of the obtained results. As a projection of the geotourism potential, the study presents the results of the traffic accessibility of geosites using the Geographic Information System (GIS)-based isochronous method. GIS and Digital Terrain Models are used in the visualization of the research area. The results of GAM apostrophize the current tourist value of Devil’s City, while the isochron analysis of GIS highlights the great geotourism potential of publicly little-known and touristically unaffirmed geosites. The results represent a basis that can support the affirmation of geotourism, the improvement of existing, and the development of new geotourism strategies in the Toplica district.

The aim of this study was to determine the motives that attract tourists to visit rural areas in Vojvodina Province, Northern Serbia. The authors identified the motivation factors that push tourists to rural areas, the activities that tourists prefer on the destination, and the relationship between these two constructs-motivation and activity preferences. The questionnaire was filled in by 476 rural tourists who spent at least one night in rural accommodation facilities in Vojvodina. For data analysis, the authors used the following: descriptive statistics to provide the characteristics of the sample and general information regarding the variables, correlation analysis with reliability test to identify a relationship between individual items, and canonical correlation analysis to analyze the relationship among dependent and independent variables. The results of the research indicated that the rural environment was one of the primary reasons for choosing rural areas for holiday, but the possibility for adventure or taking adventure activities was the lowest between the motivational factors. The study revealed that there are correlations between the push and pull factors, i.e., that motivations and preferred activities are interlinked. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 47007]

In the paper, the aridity is defined on the basis of four climate indices: De Martonne's index of aridity, Lang’s Rain Factor and Gračanin’s Rain factor for the vegetation period and hydrothermal coefficient of Seljaninov. While the annual value of the drought index (IDM) shows humid characteristics, the monthly values show the variability of the conditions. The summer months (July and August) are classified as semi-arid months, while the winter months (December- February) are extremely humid. The spatial distribution of the isoarids indicates that the northern part of the basin has the characteristics of a semiarid climate, while the southeastern parts are more humid. The analysis of mean annual values of the drought index indicates in semiarid conditions (1990 and 2000), but also the humid conditions (2005 and 2009). A positive linear trend indicates that there is a tendency towards humid conditions. The significance test confirms the existence of a statistically significant trend. During the vegetation period, semi-arid conditions are present (July- August). April is slightly humid, and October is moderately arid. The Lang’s Rain Factor (KFg) characterizes basin climate as semiarid, while the Gračanin rain factor for the vegetation period (KFm) indicates a moisture deficit in the summer months. Hydrothermal coefficient Seljaninova (HTC) indicates a lack of moisture in July and August. Vegetation period is characterized as insufficiently humid. Irrigation is one of the most important measures for solving drought problems, since the yield varies from year to year. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III43007, Grant no. OI176020 and Grant no. III47007]

Climate change is one of the largest environmental issues causing hydroclimatological extremes such as floods, droughts, and aridity. The aim of this study is to assess the observed and projected climate changes in Bačka (Serbia). Detailed trend analyses and possible climate scenarios over Bačka has not been presented up to now. In this paper, four data sets were extracted and calculated: mean annual air temperature, mean air temperatures during the vegetation period, mean annual precipitation and total precipitation during the vegetation period. The presented parameters were obtained from the annual meteorological reports of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. Trend equation based on linear regression, trend magnitude according to the trend equation, and Mann-Kendall statistics have been used for trend analysis of climatic parameters. A GIS modeling of the possible climate scenario was created according to the Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model (BCC-CSM2-MR). Based on the trend equations, positive trends related to air temperature and precipitation variables are dominant. The trend magnitude shows the largest mean increase in all time series related to air temperature during the vegetation period. The highest mean precipitation increase occurs only in two time series. The Mann-Kendall statistics showed significantly positive trends in 11 cases and no changes in 9 cases. According to BCC-CSM2-MR, changes will be especially dominant in case of air temperatures. The expected changes in the total precipitation during the vegetation period show a tendency towards semiarid conditions. The presented results of observed and projected climate changes demand adaptation measures, especially from the aspect of sustainable agriculture.

Soil erosion assessment enables the identification of manifested soil erosion categories, their spatial distribution and the relationship between soil erosion and land use patterns. The integrated approach of the RUSLE method and GIS tools was used in estimating soil erosion rates in Bačka (Serbia). Previous research of soil erosion intensity in the study area was last performed 50 years ago. The spatial distribution of the calculated erosive factors shows the diversity of erosive conditions. The results indicate that the average annual soil loss is from 0 to 28.6 t ha–¹ yr–¹. The soil erosion is particularly pronounced in the area of the Titel loess plateau (up to 28.6 t ha–¹ yr–¹). The results indicate the diversity of the erosion rates depending on the land use. Multiple correlation indicates that the LS factor has the largest effect on erosion (correlation coefficient 1). The results in this paper can be used in planning future conservation measures, especially if the recent field measurements of soil erosion are added. This research is also important since the RUSLE method represents a new approach in determining the soil erosion intensity.

Railways that were once utilized by conventional speed trains but now lay technologically outdated and neglected are scarcely in use today, with many lying abandoned. These rail networks sprawl across vast areas, posing a substantial impediment to sustainable land use and management. Our research advocates for the adoption of tourist itinerary/route as a viable model for the transformation of abandoned railways into sustainable and functional systems. This innovative concept involves repurposing abandoned railways into tourist itineraries with the aim of utilizing them for tourism and commercial ventures. Recognizing a knowledge gap, particularly the absence of scientifically grounded models, on a selected case study (abandoned regional railway number 223 in the Toplica District, Serbia), we develop and present a model for the identification and Tourist Evaluation of Abandoned Railways (TEAR model). The defined model comprises a total of 27 sub-indicators categorized into four groups of indicators: natural tourist values (NV), anthropogenic tourist values (AV), tourist attractiveness of the railway (TA), and functional values (FV). The findings from the TEAR model suggest that the abandoned railway holds significant tourism value, with a rating of ≥0.7. Specifically, three sets of indicators—NV, AV, and TA—indicate a high level of tourist values (≥0.7), while FV falls within a moderate range of tourist values (0.4 ≤ V < 0.7). This endeavor not only supports sustainable local and regional development but also contributes to the enhancement of rural landscapes and the revitalization of rural areas. Importantly, this initiative aligns directly and indirectly with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus fostering progress towards broader economic, societal, and environmental objectives.