Research and practice experience have shown that in the Republic of Serbia, vine pruning residues (VPRs) from vineyard production are mostly partially ploughed or uncontrollably burned in fields. Uncontrolled burning of VPRs in fields can destroy flora and fauna and cause uncontrolled fires. On the other hand, on an annual basis, the resulting VPRs can completely replace the fossil fuels used for thermal energy production on these estates and significantly reduce the emission of pollutants from fossil fuels. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that the research was conducted on a very young vineyard, four years old, and the results show that the agricultural property is fully sustainable in terms of thermal energy needs. The research aimed to investigate the energy potential of VPRs at the vineyard located in the Mrčić settlement in Western Serbia. The research results include the following grape varieties: Tamjanika, Morava, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The average yield of VPR biomass for all tested varieties was 0.387 kg/vine or 1741.50 kg/ha. The lower calorific values for the tested biomass samples at 15% moisture content ranged from 14,668 kJ/kg to 14,258 kJ/kg, while the upper values ranged from 16,099 kJ/kg to 15,721 kJ/kg. The total energy potential of biomass obtained from a vineyard, expressed in final energy, was 41.90 MWh/year. In the observed vineyard, for the same equivalent value, biomass from VPRs was 3.57 times cheaper compared to brown coal and 8.26 times cheaper compared to diesel fuel.

Precise time interval generation is a cornerstone of modern measurement, automation, and distributed control systems, particularly within Internet of Things (IoT) architectures. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a low-cost and high-precision time interval generator based on Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) logic counters (Integrated Circuit (IC) IC 7493 and IC 4017) and inverter-based crystal oscillators (IC 74LS04). The proposed system enables frequency division from 1 MHz down to 1 Hz through a cascade of binary and Johnson counters, enhanced with digitally controlled multiplexers for output signal selection. Unlike conventional timing systems relying on expensive Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based synchronization, this approach offers a robust, locally controlled reference clock suitable for IoT nodes without network access. The hardware is integrated with Arduino and ESP32 microcontrollers via General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) level interfacing, supporting real-time timestamping, deterministic task execution, and microsecond-level synchronization. The system was validated through Python-based simulations incorporating Gaussian jitter models, as well as real-time experimental measurements using Arduino’s micros() function. Results demonstrated stable pulse generation with timing deviations consistently below ±3 µs across various frequency modes. A comparative analysis confirms the advantages of this CMOS-based timing solution over Real-Time Clock (RTC), Network Time Protocol (NTP), and Global Positioning System (GPS)-based methods in terms of local autonomy, cost, and integration simplicity. This work provides a practical and scalable time reference architecture for educational, industrial, and distributed applications, establishing a new bridge between classical digital circuit design and modern Internet of Things (IoT) timing requirements.

The Deliblato Sands Special Nature Reserve encompasses five municipalities and several settlements. This significantly protected region has a strong relationship between its ecosystem and the people who live there. The local population benefits from various advantages provided by this reserve. The residents’ quality of life greatly depends on the reserve’s resources. When used responsibly, they can guarantee a sustainable system with assets that are renewable. Additionally, both locals and tourists benefit from the utilization of forest space for recreation. Above all, endangered plant and animal species are protected in the Deliblato Sands woodlands. Therefore, the role of the local population in protecting this reserve is crucial for the survival of these species. Visitors from both domestic and foreign countries visit this reserve each year in considerable numbers. The study included a quantitative methodology, in which data were collected using questionnaires. The study’s goal is to find out whether the nature reserve has an impact on residents’ lives, activities, and habits, i.e., whether characteristics have an impact on respondents’ contentment. This research aims to examine how the protected area (PA) affects the life of the local community. A total of 1450 residents were surveyed regarding the impact of the Deliblato Sands ecosystem on their habits and activities. Analysis of the data indicates that the inhabitants are significantly impacted by the PA. The strongest impacts are grouped into the ecological and socio-cultural dimensions, while the economic dimension is the one with the weakest impact. The study’s value is evident in the crucial information that was supplied for the creation of national and local planning documents pertaining to the development of rural areas and tourism. The active participation of communities must be the foundation of any planning for tourism growth.

This paper analyzes the potential for energy management using a solar system composed of a 14.4 kWp photovoltaic installation, a 10 kW Growatt inverter, and a 15 kWh battery, operating in zero export mode with the goal of meeting an average daily consumption of approximately 30 kWh. The research aims to assess the system's capacity to provide sufficient energy throughout the year, considering seasonal variations and system limitations. Methodology includes analyzing solar irradiation data for Serbia, modeling energy production, and simulating energy flows between generation, consumption, and storage. Results indicate that during summer months, the system can fully meet daily energy needs through direct consumption and battery storage, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In winter, decreased solar production presents challenges for maintaining the same level of self-sufficiency, highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources. This study underscores the ecological significance of solar systems in reducing the need for forest exploitation for energy resources, there by contributing directly to forest conservation, biodiversity preservation, and overall ecosystem health. Utilizing renewable energy sources not only promotes sustainable development but also helps protect forests and the planet by decreasing carbon footprints and mitigating climate change. Key words: Solar energy, carbon footprint, photovoltaic system, battery storage, forest conservation, renewable energy.

Socio-cultural tourism factors include folk music, cuisine and gastronomic brands, domestic handicrafts, crafts, folk customs, events, local tourist culture and cultural–historical heritage, language, social life of residents, and other factors. Important natural factors are the geographical and tourist location, features of relief, hydrographic potential, types of climates, plant and animal species, and others. Socio-cultural factors, together with natural factors, can create the basic characteristics of a destination. This research used the two landscapes of outstanding features (LOFs) that are part of the wider area of Serbia’s capital city, Belgrade. The selected areas are the main excursion and tourist centers, which possess significant natural and cultural characteristics for the development of sustainable tourism (STO). The main characteristics of these LOFs are forest ecosystems, which have an impact on tourism and recreation. The article used a quantitative methodology, based on the survey technique, which was used to collect data. A total of 1120 respondents were surveyed. Respondents expressed their views on claims related to space factors, which can influence the development of tourism and recreation. By analyzing the results, it can be concluded that there is an impact of factors on satisfaction with STO.