Marine litter (ML), encompassing human-made objects in marine ecosystems, poses significant threats to the coasts of some Adriatic islands, despite their remoteness and sparse populations. These islands, reliant on tourism, are particularly vulnerable to ML pollution. This study hypothesized that the natural features of the islands influence ML distribution. It employes an integrated geographic approach combining the results of field survey (via sea kayaking) with various indicators which include: (1) coastal orientation and number density of bays, (2) vegetation exposure and biomass share, (3) island area and number density of bays, (4) bay openness and ML quantity, and (5) bay openness and plastic prevalence in ML. Focusing on islands of Lošinj, Pašman, Vis, and the Kornati and Elaphiti archipelago, the study analyzed data collected over six years (2018–2023). Results highlighted that NW-SE and W-E coastal orientations are particularly susceptible to ML accumulation, especially in the southern Adriatic. Linear Fitting Regression analyses revealed a stronger correlation between number density of polluted bays and the surface area of smaller islands (10 km²). The following findings underscore the need for international collaboration and stringent policies to mitigate ML pollution, ensuring the protection of Adriatic marine ecosystems and the sustainability of local communities.

Karst aquifer systems are highly vulnerable due to their unique underground water flow characteristics, making them prone to contamination and abandonment. This study compares an active karst water source (Ljubija) with a previously abandoned one (Rečica) to assess freshwater quality and water protection risks, especially as water scarcity becomes a concern during dry summer periods. The Ljubija and Rečica catchments, designated as water protection areas (WPAs), were monitored over a year (January–December 2020). Groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) were analyzed twice a month during both dry and wet periods, adhering to European and national guidelines. An interdisciplinary approach integrated natural and human impact indicators, linking water quality to precipitation, hydrogeography, and landscape characteristics. After Slovene regulation standards (50 mg/L), the Ljubija source demonstrated stable water quality, with low nitrate levels (average 2.6 mg/L) and minimal human impact. In contrast, the Rečica catchment was more vulnerable, with its GW excluded from drinking use since the 1990s due to organic contamination, worsened by the area’s karst hydrogeology. In 2020, its nitrate concentration averaged 6.0 mg/L. These findings highlight the need for improved monitoring regulations, particularly for vulnerable karst water sources, to safeguard water quality and ensure sustainable use.

Marine litter (ML), encompassing human-made objects in marine ecosystems, poses significant threats to the coasts of some Adriatic islands, despite their remoteness and sparse populations. These islands, reliant on tourism, are particularly vulnerable to ML pollution. This study hypothesized that the natural features of the islands influence ML distribution. It employes an integrated geographic approach combining the results of field survey (via sea kayaking) with various indicators which include: (1) coastal orientation and number density of bays, (2) vegetation exposure and biomass share, (3) island area and number density of bays, (4) bay openness and ML quantity, and (5) bay openness and plastic prevalence in ML.Focusing on islands of Lošinj, Pašman, Vis, and the Kornati and Elaphiti archipelago, the study analyzed data collected over six years (2018–2023). Results highlighted that NW-SE and W-E coastal orientations are particularly susceptible to ML accumulation, especially in the southern Adriatic. Linear Regression analyses revealed a stronger correlation between number density of polluted bays and the surface area of smaller islands (10 km²). The following findings underscore the need for international collaboration and stringent policies to mitigate ML pollution, ensuring the protection of Adriatic marine ecosystems and the sustainability of local communities.

Land use and settlement dynamics of two rural areas defined by the contact karst spring is the subject of this paper. The research area consists of the spring catchment of Ljubija in the northeast part of Slovenia and Gradole, the most water-rich spring in Istria (northwest Croatia), have been surveyed in terms of environmental conditions, and social and historic land use aspects. We used Statistical data and Geographic Information System (GIS) methods. Via a multidisciplinary approach we discovered that: 1) environmentally, both areas are actively managed due to drinking water resources—Gradole has 9.8% and Ljubija 8.9% of protected area; 2) data regarding social features showed that human pressure has not negatively influenced the natural settings and water supply vulnerability—the area of the Ljubija spring catchment has lower population density compared to the area of the Gradole spring catchment (1.4 inhabitants/km2 compared to 38.7 inhabitants/km2), but the Ljubija area has more pronounced growth in the number of households—I2020/1948 = 115 compared to I2020/1948 = 88.1 at the Gradole spring catchment; and 3) the limited regeneration abilities of the karst water bodies have been preserved by the prevailing share of forest—land use data showed 84.8% for Ljubija and 34.4% for Gradole.

Two karst water basins, water protection areas (WPA), the Ljubija and Rečica catchment areas, located in the north-east of Slovenia, were studied for one (COVID) year (January 2020-December 2020) to assess their freshwater quality risks facing the existing level of water protection regulations. Both groundwater (GW) and surface water (SW) were monitored twice a month in dry and wet periods to comply with European and national monitoring guidelines. For an interdisciplinary approach, an integrated indicators’ model was created to check the natural and human influences on the studied water sources. We related their water ecological conditions to the precipitation, hydro geographic and landscape characteristics of the WPAs. The Ljubija showed a low nitrate content and low fluctuations in other parameters, which declare a stable area with low human impact (the average nitrate content was 2.6 mg/l). Rečica water sources were more endangered. Their groundwater has been excluded from the drinking water supply due to organic contamination. The pollution was encouraged by the karst hydrogeological characteristics of the area. The average nitrate concentration was 6.0 mg/l. Based on the physic-chemical indicators of the water sources’ quality, we missed un upgraded monitoring regulation, especially for more vulnerable water sources as karst are.

The book explores how more integrated approaches can enhance existing planning practices and lead to more effective spatial and regional development. In the first part, the authors present methodologies for monitoring and evaluating regional policy, the results of development measures in the Koroška region, systems thinking and key principles for comprehensive regional development, the role of the Slovenian Regional Development Fund, and the identification of problem areas in Slovenia. The second part focuses on the preparation of the first generation of regional spatial plans, the importance of landscape concepts in spatial planning, green infrastructure networks at the regional level, and functional urban areas as a tool for monitoring the implementation of the Spatial Development Strategy of Slovenia. The book concludes with contributions on the Bohinj railway and macro-waste along rivers after the 2023 floods. The authors emphasize that sectoral approaches are insufficient to address today’s complex development challenges. Decision-makers must therefore strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation and support integrated planning approaches. The simultaneous preparation of different documents at the regional level offers an excellent opportunity to do so.