The erosion potential model was applied to estimate the soil erosion status of rural settlements during the years 1971 and 2011. We used univariate and bivariate local Moran’s I indices to detect and visualize the spatial clustering of settlements with respect to changes in erosion intensity and agricultural land use, as well as their mutual spatial correlation. The study area was differentiated into four statistically significant clusters using the calculated bivariate local Moran’s I indices. The statistical analysis examined the two largest clusters, i.e., the high–high and low–low clusters, and the results of the research indicate that the first four principal components explained 70.50% and 73.47% of the total variance, respectively. In the high–high cluster, the low rates of erosion reduction (average Index Z = 98) in the most significant types of rural settlements were determined according to demographic indicators (i.e., the higher population vitality and population density, the smaller share of the old population and the lower average age of the population) and the large proportion of arable land and Neogene sediments. In the low–low cluster, high erosion reduction rates were detected (average index Z = 64). In this cluster, the more statistically significant influence of natural conditions in combination with demographic–agrarian processes (i.e., the larger share of the old population, the higher average age of the population, the lower vitality index and deagrarization) were decisive factors in changing erosion intensity.

This is the second part of the article “Spontaneously abandoned settlements in Serbia”, the first part of which was published in No. 60-2 of this Journal. Geomorphological indicators pointing at unsustainability of the studied settlements are singled out. The indicators are classified as morphometric (quantitative) and morphologic (qualitative). Geomorphometry has been used for determination of quantitative indicators. The coefficient of settlement isolation (Ki) is defined, which is a product of road coefficient (Kr) and real relative height (RRH). Morphological indicators refer to the position of a settlement on a certain geomorphological unit (ridge, valley, valley side), as well as to the geomorphological homogeneity of space, determined by geomorphological mapping. The defined indicators of unsustainability are presented in detail as a case study of the abandoned village Smilov Laz, in the municipality of Novi Pazar.

Thufur (earth hummocks) are small periglacial landforms typical for subpolar latitudes, as well as for the high alpine areas at lower latitudes. Their presence in the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula was spotted during the mid-20th century. In this paper we analyze morphometry and morphology of thufur in the context of physio-geographical conditions for their formation. The main aims are to inventorize the thufur in the study area and to determine the physio-geographical factors which enabled their formation at non-zonal elevations. Statistical analysis was performed on the sample of 305 thufur mapped in the field, measuring their circumference, height, and delineating their areas. Classification of the results revealed morphological varieties in terms of horizontal and vertical development. The elevation of the sampling location Ponor is 1,410 m a.s.l., which is considerably lower than the zonal periglaciation in Serbia, at approx. 1,900 m. Therefore, the role of relief as a climate modifier is analyzed in the context of conditions for the azonal development of periglaciation process. Topographical conditions for thufur formation were analyzed through slope inclinations and vertical dissection, determined using the Digital Elevation Model over Europe with 25 m resolution.

Valjevo–Mionica karst is a limestone area within the easternmost flanks of the Internal Dinarides in western Serbia. In the spatial extent of 380 km2, it hosts typical karst landforms, primarily dolines, blind valleys, dry valleys and caves. Dolines are present on 75% of the total area, and the exact number of them within the area outline is 5319. The aim of the study is to determine the guidance factors for the spatial distribution of dolines, primarily morphological, while lithological, tectonic and climatic factors are presented at the basic level. Morphological factors in this study are analysed through morphometrical characteristics and calculations, which include the elevation, the mean topographical slope and the landform classification based on geomorphons. Digital elevation models with resolutions 90 m and 30 m are used. Data sources for doline positions were the topographical maps of 1:25,000 scale.Spatial distribution of dolines in the study area is rather uneven. Three zones (clusters) of higher concentration may be distinguished, where 34% of the total study area hosts 72% of dolines. These three zones are the karsts of the villages Lelić, Bačevci and Robaje, divided by deep canyon valleys. Maximum density of dolines, judging by the Kernel density method, is 33 dolines per km2 in the zone of the Stapar village, at the northwestern outskirt of the study area. The main factors influencing the spatial distribution of dolines are the topographical slope and the phases of morphological/hydrographical evolution of the area.

The paper presents and discusses the landslide research procedure related to the topography before and after its occurrence, using the comparative analysis of two medium-resolution digital terrain models. The case study is the Jovac mega-landslide—the largest landslide to occur in Serbia in the last 100 years, active for three days in February 1977. The indicators used to determine the volume and movement mechanism were the spatial distribution of elevation differences within the two digital terrain models (DTM), and the analysis of geomorphological features before the landslide. The obtained elevation differences allowed the definition of the approximate landslide volume: 11.6 × 106 m3. All the data obtained indicate that the movement mechanism falls into the category of earthflow.