Kratovska Reka is a short (17.3 km) left tributary of Kriva Reka, whose watershed (68.5 km²) is located on the northwestern slopes of the Osogovo Mountains (North Macedonia). Due to the favorable natural conditions and anthropogenic factors, the Kratovska Reka catchment is under a high risk of natural hazards, especially water erosion and landslide occurrences. For this reason, the paper presents an approach of modelling of potential erosion and areas susceptible to the above-mentioned hydro-meteorological hazards in the Kratovska River catchment. Firstly, this study analyzed the main geographical features that contribute to intensive erosion processes in the area. Then, using the Gavrilović EPM erosion potential method, an average value of 0.56 was obtained for the erosion coefficient Z, indicating areas prone to high erosion risk. Furthermore, by using landslide susceptibility analysis (LSA), terrains susceptible to landslides were identified. The results shows that 1/3 of the catchment is very susceptible to mass movements in wet conditions (landslides). According to the combined multi-hazard model, 3.13% of the total area of the Kratovska River catchment is both at high risk of landslides and under severe erosion. The Kratovska River catchment is significantly endangered by the excessive water erosion processes (39.86%), especially on the steep valley sides, i.e., terrains that are completely exposed, under sparse vegetation, and open to the effects of distribution/concentration of the rainfall amounts throughout the year. Identifying locations with the highest erosion risk serves as the initial step in defining and implementing appropriate mitigation measures across local and regional scales, thus enhancing overall resilience to environmental challenges.

The use of weather satellite recordings has been growing rapidly over the last three decades. Determining the patterns between meteorological and topographical features is an important scientific job. Cloud cover analysis and properties can be of the utmost significance for potential cloud seeding. Here, the analysis of the cloud properties was conducted by means of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite recordings. The resolution of used data was 1 km² within the period of 30 years (1989–2019). This research showed moderate changing of cloudiness in the territory of Serbia with a high cloudiness in February, followed by cloudiness in January and November. For the past three decades, May has been the month with the highest cloudiness. The regions in the east and south-west, and particularly in the west, have a high absolute cloudiness, which is connected with the high elevation of the country. By means of long term monitoring, the whole territory of Serbia was analyzed for the first time, in terms of cloudiness. Apart from the statistical and numerical results obtained, this research showed a connection between relief and clouds, especially in the winter season. Linear regression MK (Mann-Kendall test) has proven this theory right, connecting high elevation sides with high absolute cloudiness through the year.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of natural hazard susceptibility in the Makedonska Kamenica municipality of North Macedonia, encompassing erosion assessment, landslides, flash floods, and forest fire vulnerability. Employing advanced GIS and remote sensing (RS) methodologies, hazard models were meticulously developed and integrated to discern areas facing concurrent vulnerabilities. Findings unveil substantial vulnerabilities prevalent across the area, notably along steep terrain gradients, river valleys, and deforested landscapes. Erosion assessment reveals elevated rates, with a mean erosion coefficient (Z) of 0.61 and an annual erosion production of 182,712.9 m³, equivalent to a specific erosion rate of 961.6 m³/km²/year. Landslide susceptibility analysis identifies 31.8% of the municipality exhibiting a very high probability of landslides, while flash flood susceptibility models depict 3.3% of the area prone to very high flash flood potential. Forest fire susceptibility mapping emphasizes slightly less than one-third of the municipality’s forested area is highly or very highly susceptible to fires. Integration of these hazard models elucidates multi-hazard zones, revealing that 11.0% of the municipality’s territory faces concurrent vulnerabilities from excessive erosion, landslides, flash floods, and forest fires. These zones are predominantly located in upstream areas, valleys of river tributaries, and the estuary region. The identification of multi-hazard zones underscores the critical need for targeted preventive measures and robust land management strategies to mitigate potential disasters and safeguard both human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. Recommendations include the implementation of enhanced monitoring systems, validation methodologies, and community engagement initiatives to bolster hazard preparedness and response capabilities effectively.

Although glacial landforms on the Balkan Peninsula have been studied since the 19th century, only scarce data are available about the extent of the former glaciations in the Central Balkan Peninsula, the transition zone between the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Glacial features of the Jablanica Mt. were mapped, described and classified into morphostratigraphic units. A revised glacio-geomorphological map was produced and glacial landforms were assigned to six morphostratigraphic units. Ten primary and two secondary cirques were identified in the upper parts of the studied valleys, while downstream the valleys were steep and glacially shaped with several glacial steps and thresholds. Cirque and valley morphology indicate that subglacial deepening was limited within the cirques and was more intensive in the valley sections during more extensive glacial phases. The largest reconstructed glaciers were 4.6–7 km long, while the last cirque glaciers were only a few hundred meters long. Using morphostratigraphic data, a glacier reconstruction was carried out for the largest mapped glacial extent. On the basis of glacial geomorphology, a former equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) of ~1800 m and glacier cover of 22.6 km² were estimated during this stage. The local ELA values were compared to the regional ELA record and enabled to tentatively attribute a MIS 6 age for the reconstructed maximum ice extent in the study area.

Due to favorable natural conditions and human impact, the territory of North Macedonia is very susceptible to natural hazards. Steep hillslopes combined with soft rocks (schists on the mountains; sands and sandstones in depressions), erodible soils, semiarid continental climate, and sparse vegetation cover give a high potential for soil erosion and landslides. For this reason, this study presents a multi-hazard approach to geohazard modeling on the national extent in the example of North Macedonia. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems, relevant data about the entire research area were employed to analyze and assess soil erosion and susceptibility to landslides and identify areas prone to both hazards. Using the Gavrilović Erosion Potential Method (EPM), an average value of 0.36 was obtained for the erosion coefficient Z, indicating low to moderate susceptibility to erosion. However, a significant area of the country (9.6%) is susceptible to high and excess erosion rates. For the landslide susceptibility assessment (LSA), the Analytical hierarchy process approach is combined with the statistical method (frequency ratio), showing that 29.3% of the territory belongs to the zone of high and very high landslide susceptibility. Then, the accuracy assessment is performed for both procedures (EPM and LSA), showing acceptable reliability. By overlapping both models, a multi-hazard map is prepared, indicating that 22.3% of North Macedonia territory is highly susceptible to erosion and landslides. The primary objective of multi-hazard modeling is to identify and delineate hazardous areas, thereby aiding in activities to reduce the hazards and mitigate future damage. This becomes particularly significant when considering the impact of climate change, which is associated with increased landslide and erosion susceptibility. The approach based on a national level presented in this work can provide valuable information for regional planning and decision-making processes.

This comprehensive study investigates the intricate interplay between geodiversity, geohazards, and anthropogenic influences within the Kratovska Reka catchment—an area distinguished by its remarkable geosites. Kratovska Reka, spanning a length of 17.3 km, serves as the left tributary to Kriva Reka. The watershed of Kratovska Reka, covering an area of 68.5 km², is situated on the northwestern inclines of the Osogovo Mts in North Macedonia. Despite harboring exceptional geodiversity, the area lacks protective measures for its myriad geosites. Evaluating susceptibility to geohazards, including excessive erosion, landslides, and flash floods, this research identifies heightened risk zones, particularly in the valley of Kratovska Reka and its tributaries. A multi-hazard model reveals that 56.07% of the basin is vulnerable to geohazards. The study correlates lithological composition, relief features, and morphometric characteristics with geohazards, emphasizing the significance of paleovolcanic relief in resisting excessive erosion. Human-induced factors, notably deforestation and inappropriate land use, amplify geohazards. This research underscores the urgent need for geosite protection and sustainable land management to mitigate geohazards’ impacts. Additionally, it explores the correlation between land use practices and geodiversity, emphasizing the importance of responsible land management in safeguarding the geological and geomorphological values of the researched area.