Assessing flash flood susceptibility is crucial for disaster management, yet Montenegro lacks research using geoinformation technologies. In northeastern Montenegro, the Ibar River Basin, mainly in Rožaje, has a well-developed hydrological network with torrential streams prone to flash flooding. This study compares two multi-criteria GIS decision analysis (GIS–MCDA) methodologies, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Best-Worst Method (BWM), for assessing flood susceptibility. The analysis uses the Flash Flood Susceptibility Index (FFSI), integrating geoenvironmental and climatic factors. The geoenvironmental criteria considered include terrain slope, distance from the drainage network, geology, land cover, drainage density, bare soil index, and the BIO16 variable, which represents the mean monthly precipitation of the wettest quarter to enhance precipitation pattern assessment. The AHP model classifies 2.78% of the area as high to very high susceptibility, while the BWM model identifies 3.21% in these categories. Both models perform excellently based on AUC values, with minor, non-significant differences. Sensitivity analysis shows AHP provides a more stable weight distribution, whereas BWM is more sensitive to weight changes, emphasizing dominant criteria more strongly. This study introduces BWM for the first time in flash flood modeling, demonstrating its suitability for susceptibility assessment. The key novelty lies in its comparative analysis with AHP, highlighting differences in weight distribution and model stability.
Abandoned mines can pose a major environmental hazard. At the beginning of the 21st century, significant steps were taken all around the world in order to protect these historically valuable complexes, and the mining heritage was recognized as a potential for the development of alternative tourism. This exploration covers mines in the Kopaonik Mountain area. Mining on this mountain began in ancient times. It has developed throughout history, and today only one mine is active. Three abandoned (Gvozdac, Suvo Rudište and Raičeva Gora) and one active mine (Belo Brdo-Zaplanina) are the subject of research. The basic aim of the research is twofold. The estimation of geo-tourist values was performed using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), and the ecological status assessment WAS performed according to the standard model based on negative and positive values. Based on the applied methods, it was concluded that mines (geosites) have a high level of natural characteristics, and that differences between geosites are evident in tourist values. The reason for this is insufficient tourist affirmation and the insufficient availability of tourist infrastructure. With the ecological status, positive values were observed on the geosites, which also differ from one (Raičeva Gora) to 15 points (Gvozdac). In the end, the results obtained are of great scientific importance, and their direct application is in the development of the Tourism Development Strategy in the Kopaonik area.
The development of climate indices and their application can influence the preferences of tourists and the time frame for visiting the locality. This study develops a new Heritage Climate Index (HERCI) that finds its application in assessing climate comfort for visiting geoheritage and cultural heritage objects. The study analyzed the geoheritage site in Western Serbia (Stopića Cave) and the cultural heritage site in Eastern Serbia (Golubac Fortress). The index was developed to represent climatic comfort on a monthly basis and consisted of five climatic elements. The values of the HERCI index were obtained based on the multi-criteria decision-making model—the Best–Worst method (BWM). The results were classified into five classes, depending on the degree of conformity. After a comparative analysis of the index results for four localities and their attendance for the period 2012–2021 and 2019–2022, it was determined that there is a very high level of correlation (>0.9). This is the first study to use the BWM to develop and analyze a climate index. From the aspect of tourism policy, this study significantly contributes to tourism organizations and tourists in better understanding climate comfort and making decisions about the organization’s time frame and realization of the travel.
Maps are miniature graphic representation of distinct area and as not being completely real require generalization. Cartographic generalization represents a specific investigation method in cartography. Generalization includes the processes of selection, simplification, and symbolization of details according to the purpose and the map scale. The river generalization requires the phase classification, selection, magnification and simplification to being used. Linear symbols are given on the map by their corresponding/characteristic length and remained unchanged even after the generalization. Particular cartographic criterions need to be applied during generalization. In the given case of the Sitnica river drainage system were applied the computer supported generalization based on the software Global Mapper 16.1 and the Open source software QGIS 2.6.1. The Sitnica drainage system is generalized in three levels. The first included digitalization of all linear objects related to the river Sitnica and its tributaries. Second level resulted in vector generalized data that indicate on polluted tributaries, whereas the final, third stage led to construction of multilayered vector map of the Sitnica catchments area with polluted tributaries.
In this research, we try to connect sociology with GIS (Geographical Information Science). The main problem in the South-East Serbia present low integration of Roma minority group into society. In that case, better collective ecology conscience may give better inclusion results.