Earthquakes are a rather complex natural phenomenon that cannot be prevented, and their effects can be catastrophic and have profound implications on various economic sectors (especially tourism). This study investigates the relationships between subjective factors (gender, age, education, previous experience, and disaster anxiety), the perceived travel risk, and the travel intention of tourists from Serbia to destinations in Türkiye. The pilot study was done in March 2023 with 110 respondents from the Faculty of Science, Department of Geography, Tourism, and Hotel Management, Novi Sad. After the validation of the instruments, the main survey was conducted in the period from March to June 2023. The subjects of interest were residents of Serbia over the age of 18. The data from this study are analyzed using the confirmatory factor analysis and path analyses. This study aims to enhance the understanding of perceived risk and travel intention, specifically focusing on Türkiye. The assessed outcome relates to how tourists perceive three specific categories of risk when traveling to destinations with a high risk of natural disasters, such as earthquake-prone areas. The findings suggest that older respondents tend to perceive lower physical and financial travel risks, even though the influence of age on the perception of socio-psychological risks was inconclusive. Further results reveal that individuals with prior experience tend to hold a heightened perception of physical, financial, and socio-psychological risks. An examination of the relationship between disaster anxiety and perceived travel risks indicates that physical, financial, and socio-psychological risks exert a negative influence on travel intention. Thus, this study may provide a conceptual foundation for both theoretical and practical implications for the improvement of risk management techniques at a specific travel destination in areas prone to earthquake hazards.

Extreme weather events caused considerable harm to the forest ecosystems in Eastern Serbia over a few hard winters, resulting in widespread ice breaks and ice uprooting. Certain forest stands were severely impacted during the winter of 2014-2015, necessitating clear-cutting measures. This research was conducted in the Timok forest area, through examination of the floristic composition in areas subjected to clear-cutting, including natural beech forests and artificially established conifer stands within beech sites (Helleboro odori-Fagetum moesiacae). A phytogeographical and bioecological analysis was conducted five years after clear-cutting. Changes in ecosystems were assessed by analysing the spectra of area-types and plant life forms, with comparisons drawn to the “Vinatovača” old-growth forest, situated in the submontane beech forest of Eastern Serbia. Descriptive analysis of the phytogeographical and bioecological spectra of vascular flora, alongside multinomial correspondence analysis, revealed an increased presence of species from Eurasian, Mediterranean-sub-Mediterranean, and Pontic area-types, as well as hemicryptophytic, phanerophytic, and therophytic life forms in the clear-cut areas. In contrast, the old-growth forest was colonised by species of Central European and Holarctic area-types, along with geophytic life forms. These findings suggest a shift towards xerothermic microclimates in the clear-cut areas and the stronger influence of the continental climate of Eastern Serbia with its extremes on deforested areas, as well as on the processes of forest ecosystem degradation.

Materials derived from renewable and recycled resources offer a promising route toward more sustainable thermoset composites. In this study, waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was depolymerized by glycolysis with propylene glycol to obtain a glycolysate, and subsequently polycondensed with biobased propylene glycol, maleic anhydride, and trimethylolpropane diallyl ether to synthesize biobased UV-curable unsaturated polyester resin (UV-bUPR). The composites were prepared with acryloyl-modified Kraft lignin (K_rL-A) as a reactive bio-filler using a dual-curing approach, in which rapid UV curing was followed by thermal/redox post-curing to improve conversion and network homogeneity. The structure of the synthesized resin and composites was confirmed by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile testing and hardness measurements, while morphology and fracture behavior were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The unmodified lignin decreased tensile performance due to limited compatibility with the polyester matrix and the formation of interfacial defects and agglomerates. In contrast, K_rL-A exhibited improved dispersion and stronger filler–matrix interactions, resulting in superior mechanical performance. The most pronounced effect of lignin modification was observed at 15 wt.% filler loading, where the tensile strength reached 27.83 MPa, compared with 13.91 MPa for the corresponding unmodified system. The developed composites also showed improved sustainability, assessed through the E-factor, due to the combined use of recycled PET and renewable lignin.

The paper covers research in the fields of urban forestry and environmental ecology. The research results on ecological factors in forest habitats in the periurban zone of Belgrade are presented. The studied complex is classified into forests with a priority protective function and forests intended for recreation and cultural functions. The paper aims to assess the ecological potential of habitats in relation to the purpose and ecosystem services of forests. Based on the research results, it will be possible to reconstruct parts of the forest complex that are underutilizing the habitat's potential. The climate character was determined based on the climate index using the Thornthwaite method. Based on air temperatures and precipitation amounts (2002- 2016), the soil moisture deficit and surplus, potential and actual evapotranspiration, aridity and humidity indices, and the climate index were calculated. The habitat is characterized as: a habitat of submontane beech forest (Fagetum submontanum) on eutric brown soil on loamy sediments; a habitat of Hungarian and Turkey oak forest with manna ash (Quercetum frainetto-cerridis ornetosum) on eutric brown soil on loamy sediments, and a habitat of a typical Hungarian and Turkey oak forest (Quercetum frainetto-cerridis typicum) on illimerized eutric brown soil on loamy sediments. The objective of management is to develop silvicultural measures that facilitate the regeneration of introduced tree species. Key words: Ecological conditions, Belgrade forests, environment, reconstruction.

The “Šar Mountain” National Park represents a biological and cultural asset of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. Since 2008, Kosovo and Metohija have undergone a series of demographic and constitutional changes, which have resulted in an unfavorable position for the Serbian minority. The aim of this paper is to offer a possible alternative to the existing established practices of economic aid and to propose ways in which the local population can improve their economic situation by utilizing the available resources. Due to the delicate nature of international relations, this issue is multidisciplinary and requires an approach and analysis from both ecological-biological and socio-humanistic perspectives. The structure of the paper is designed to provide an overview of the potential of plant and animal resources, similar solutions related to the defined aim and objectives of the paper, implemented in other parts of the world, as well as final recommendations aimed at sustainable development of ecotourism in the studied area. Key words: Šar Mountain, biodiversity, Kosovo and Metohija, ecotourism.

Human bioclimatology studies the impact of climate on humans and vice versa. The subjective feeling of temperature (apparent temperature) seems to be warmer during the day in summer and colder in winter than the data of official measurements show. To analyze these parameters, data from two main climatological stations, Belgrade and Kopaonik, were analyzed during the ten-year observation period (2011-2020). Indices were utilized to evaluate the effect of heat and cold on the human body in various environmental conditions: Heat Index (HI) and Wind Chill Index (WCI). During the analyzed period, the highest air temperature occurred at 2 PM in August 2012 in Belgrade, reaching 39.6°C, while the maximum daily relative humidity was 44%. Due to the Heat Index value, it felt like 48°C. This significantly increased the risk of heatstroke, muscle cramps, or exhaustion. During the analyzed period, the minimum air temperature of -24.8°C was recorded at 2 PM in January 2017 on Kopaonik, with a wind speed of 15 m/s. According to the Wind Chill Index, the apparent temperature was -35°C, which posed a risk of frostbite within 10-30 minutes on exposed areas of the body, such as the face and hands, as well as a risk of hypothermia. Key words: Heat Index, Wind Chill Index, human health.