The paper deals with the possibilities of further use of environmentally degraded and polluted areas on the example of (mining and industrial) activities residues in the Central Spiš region in eastern Slovakia. On the example of the Slovinky mining tailing pond, the Markušovce mining tailing pond, and two mining dumps in Rudňany, we deal with the analysis of their condition in terms of heavy metal content, as well as the real and potential alternative use of these sites. Data were collected using field trips and field research in sediment sampling in all localities and by preparing a questionnaire for opinion polls. The content of heavy metals from all four places, the results of field trips, and the questionnaire were analyzed. The article points out the current state of these objects in terms of their load with heavy metals and considers their possible alternative uses, especially in terms of geotourism or education. The implementation of geotourism in the studied sites brings along benefits, not only for visitors and students, but also has a positive impact on sites themselves and on the local community. The results of such analyses should also serve as a basis (starting point) in planning the renewal and further development of such areas.

The presented article is focused on a spatial analysis and identification of high and medium risk areas and their impact on potential for geotourism development in the Central Spiš region in Slovakia. To achieve this goal, we used a combination of two methods: the multi-hazard assessment method and the quantitative Geosite Assessment Model. The research results show that the geosites with the highest potential for the development of geotourism are also located in the low treat zone. These are mainly GS₉ adit Pavol (overall point value 16.25), GS₁ adit Rochus (15.25) and GS₈ adit Peter (14.00). On the other hand, geosites with a low point value for the development of geotourism, such as GS₁₀ sinkhole Baniská (7.75) and GS₅ tailings impoundment Markušovce (10.50), are located in the high treat zone. The obtained results show that even in the significantly anthropogenically burdened and economically underdeveloped post-mining landscape of the studied area, it is possible to identify positive impulses for further development. This concerns in particular the use of evaluated geosites in geotourism, with the aim of simultaneously supporting the protection of local cultural heritage, the natural environment and the socioeconomic development of the local community.

Urbanization, increasing road networks, agricultural intensification, and land abandonment are widespread land change processes found in most European landscapes. As land changes affect animal species and their populations, there is a need to evaluate the effects of future developments on the viability of protected species. In this paper, we model population size and viability of selected indicator species for a selected area in Slovakia. Our results indicate that selected species are viable in the current landscape composition. However, the expected spread of settlement and the increase of road density in this area would likely lead to decline and loss of viability of species. Similarly, continuous land abandonment followed with spontaneous reforestation would likely trigger a decline of grassland species. In contrast, developing a biocorridor and restoration of existing green elements as modeled in our conservation scenario would strongly improve the viability of all species and avoid the impact of the expected developments. Our results underline the actions that prevent further loss of biodiversity in human-dominated landscapes and, thus, have particular importance for landscape planning and decision-making processes.

Undermined area Baniská is a very dangerous element in landscape. It is located between the villages of Rudňany and Poráč in the northern part of the Volovské vrchy mountains. In the past, there was very intensive mining and industrial activities because of rich deposits of mineral resources. Mining and industrial activities noticed a strong regress in the latest years. Most mining operations were closed and the mining was stopped. The impact of mining activity and its components on the landscape presents a complex problem. The exploitation of mineral resources has a great impact on the underground and the surface. There is an extensive and complicated net of worked-out spaces: stopes, drifts and shafts. This area is geologically unstable. Intensive mining activity and geological instability results in the creation of big cave-in. Its shape is linear and its distance is 1 km. The formation of this space is the consequence of a long-continuing process of cave-in. The road between the villages of Rudňany and Poráč has had to be redirected three times because of continuing cave-in process. Moreover, this area is located in the Roma settlement, so the residents` lives are in imminent danger.

The main objective of the paper is to analyze and evaluate what are the manifestations and impacts of suburbanization in the hinterland of the city of Presov. The first manifestations of suburbanization started in 1996 and continue even nowadays. This process brings several consequences, economic, social, demographic, environmental, etc. When looking at migration flows, Presov has shown a long-term decline in population. The municipalities located in its hinterland show an increase in population. In this paper we will focus mainly on the impacts of suburbanization in the landscape - landscape fragmentation, arable land grabbing and leapfrog development. The emphasis of the paper is on the analysis of aerial and historical imagery and field research to provide mapping and photo-documentation of spatial aspects in the study area.