The subject of this research is the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) in identifying, monitoring, and analyzing wildfires in the Sana River basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017. The research aims to determine the weather conditions that favor the occurrence of wildfires and their spatial impact on vegetation and to assess the degree of land degradation after the wildfires. Through the calculation of the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), critical dry periods with significantly negative values were identified in July (− 1.60) and August (− 1.94), indicating severe droughts with a high hazard of wildfire occurrence. Additionally, the calculation of the Angstrom index identified a period of high wildfire hazard (from July 5 to August 5, 2017). Vegetation condition monitoring and burn severity during the high-hazard period were assessed by calculating the differenced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (dNDVI) and the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). By intersecting dNDVI and dNBR with the results of the supervised classification, the impact of wildfires on different land use types was effectively assessed. It was determined that a total of 214.61 km2 (dNDVI) and 168.77 km2 (dNBR) of meadows and pastures, 270.45 km2 (dNDVI) and 35.2 km2 (dNBR) of forested areas, and 30.12 km2 (dNDVI) and 17.95 km2 (dNBR) agriculture areas where exposed to moderate, high, and very high wildfires. Additionally, a total of 19,077 residents were affected by the wildfires. The research results highlight the need to develop and implement more effective prevention and hazard management strategies, particularly in protecting the study area’s forest ecosystems and agriculture.

This study explores the cultural value of geodiversity through the religious significance of the landscape in Gornje Podunavlje, northwest Serbia. Focusing on the veneration of Saint John of Nepomuk – the patron saint against water hazards – we investigate how his statues reflect historical community responses to flood risks in the Bačka region. Using nineteenth-century maps, geographic information systems (GIS), and geospatial analyses were applied to map statue locations, digitize historical Danube courses, and examine the spatial relationship between statues, settlements, and geomorphological features. Hypsometric and floodplain mapping, along with Euclidean distance and flood risk assessments (Danube Flood Risk Management Plan – DFRMP project data), revealed that all statues in Gornje Podunavlje are located on higher ground at the edges of settlements and oriented toward the Danube. In contrast, statues in other Bačka settlements lack this geomorphological alignment. These patterns suggest a culturally embedded adaptation to flood hazards. Present-day settlement outlines were digitized using satellite imagery to confirm current statue placements. The findings demonstrate how physical geography has influenced religious expression and settlement planning. This research emphasizes the importance of interpreting geodiversity not just as a physical attribute but as a cultural and historical factor shaping human–environment interactions in flood-prone flatland regions like Bačka (northwestern part of Serbia).

Background/Objectives: Cancer is a major public health burden in Serbia and a factor influencing long-term disaster readiness by straining health system capacity. This study examined spatial and temporal trends in incidence and mortality for eight major cancers among women in Central Serbia (1999–2021) to inform targeted prevention and preparedness strategies. Methods: Standardised rates from national datasets were analysed using the Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator. Geographic disparities were mapped in ArcGIS Pro 3.2. Mortality trends were assessed only for statistically reliable series. Results: Breast cancer incidence increased in six counties, while cervical cancer declined in several areas, likely reflecting screening success. Colorectal, bladder, pancreatic, and lung and bronchus cancers showed rising incidence; lung and bronchus cancer mortality increased in 16 counties, indicating growing demand for chronic respiratory care. These shifts may reduce surge capacity during disasters by increasing the baseline burden on healthcare infrastructure. Regional disparities highlight uneven system resilience. Conclusions: Aligning cancer control measures—especially for high-burden cancers like lung—with emergency preparedness frameworks is essential to strengthen health system resilience, particularly in resource-limited regions.

This study examined the state of glacial geosites in Montenegro and evaluated their potential for geotourism development. The findings were based on a newly developed methodology—the glacial geosite assessment model (G-GAM)—which was specifically designed to assess glacial geosites. Seven key geosites were identified in this study due to their existing touristic value. The results showed that the analyzed sites had significant potential for geotourism development and could be enhanced with relatively modest financial investment. Furthermore, the glacial geosites offered notable environmental, leisure, and recreational value, as well as considerable scientific importance and educational potential. Given that most of these sites were in rural areas, the development of geotourism was expected to deliver positive economic impacts for local communities, potentially helping to mitigate depopulation trends. While geotourism may not have represented Montenegro’s primary tourism offering, its integration with other tourism activities could have yielded mutual benefits for all stakeholders. The mountains of Montenegro had already become a major draw for international tourists, and the recognition and promotion of the importance of glacial geosites were expected to further enhance the market appeal of the country’s natural landscape.

The Banjska Monastery is a medieval monastery in Serbia of great cultural and spiritual importance to the Serbian population, as it served as the endowment and burial church of King Milutin, a powerful Serbian ruler of the fourteenth century. This article aims to assess the geoheritage value of the Banjska Monastery, located near Zvečan, using the Urban Geoheritage Assessment Model (UGAM), and to explore its potential for geotourism development by converting its heritage value into tourism value. To support UGAM parameters (such as educational potential, geoheritage diversity, and paleontological significance), macroscopic observations of the building stones were conducted, along with petrological analyses of five samples collected from the monastery and micropaleontological investigations of three limestone samples. These analyses aimed to identify microfacies, composition, structural characteristics, and sedimentary environments. The investigation revealed two rock types: sedimentary rocks (limestone, sandstone, and tufa) and metamorphic rocks (marble). UGAM results revealed high scores for scientific and natural value, confirming the site’s strong potential for urban geotourism development. However, the model also highlighted deficiencies in tourist infrastructure, particularly in information boards, guided tours, and visitor centers. These findings may assist local policymakers and stakeholders in converting natural heritage values into tourism assets.

The Velika Vrbica loess-palaeosol sequence, situated on the south-western bank of the Danube River in north-eastern Serbia, represents one of the key Quaternary records in the lower Danube basin, covering the MIS 5-MIS 1 period. Previous investigations of the upper 500 cm established a high-resolution chronology and revealed unexpected patterns of dust accumulation during interstadial phases. In this study, we extend the analysis to the full ∼12 m thickness of the sequence, spanning from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 to the Holocene, with emphasis on refining the geochronological framework and testing the performance of different luminescence signals. A comprehensive set of quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and K-feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR290) ages, complemented by linear modulated OSL (LM-OSL) analyses, provides a robust chronology. Bayesian age-depth modelling constrains the timing of key stratigraphic units, including the S1 palaeosol (MIS 5), the overlying L1 loess (MIS 4–2) with its interstadial palaeosol (L1SS1), and the Holocene soil (S0). Quartz and K-feldspar ages display systematic differences: younger deposits show feldspar overestimation consistent with incomplete bleaching, whereas older horizons (MIS 5–4) yield excellent agreement between the two signals. LM-OSL results confirm that the fast component dominates most of the profile, supporting the reliability of equivalent dose determinations across multiple stratigraphic units. The resulting chronology demonstrates that the Velika Vrbica site preserves a continuous record of loess accumulation and pedogenesis over the last ∼130 ka. These findings not only refine the temporal framework for south-eastern European loess but also provide an important evaluation of the applicability and limitations of quartz and K-feldspar luminescence signals in establishing long-term chronologies.

This preliminary study examines the seasonal distribution and correlation of negative air ionization near waterfalls situated on two types of geological substrates, and its relationship to water properties such as electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and water temperature. Measurements were conducted between 2022 and 2024 at six waterfalls in the Stara Planina Mountain. Five waterfalls, Tupavica, Draganov Vir, Tri Kladenca, Donji Piljski, and Grujin, are located on Triassic and Permian sandstones. The sixth, Bigar waterfall, is located on limestone and exhibits characteristics typical of waterfalls formed on carbonate substrates. The results indicate that the underlying geology significantly influences variations in airborne anion concentrations. Waterfalls on sandstone substrates exhibit much higher levels of negative ionization compared to those on limestone. This contrast appears to be linked to water chemistry: sandstone-based waterfalls tend to have lower values of dissolved solids and EC, whereas limestone waterfalls display higher concentrations. These findings contribute to understanding the “waterfall effect” and highlight how geological and environmental factors shape the generation of natural air ionization. Such insights can inform the selection of natural sites for eco-tourism, wellness retreats, and health-oriented infrastructure where exposure to high negative ion concentrations is beneficial.

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases globally. This study presents a spatio-temporal analysis of hypertension among patients treated at the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases of Vojvodina between 2000 and 2023. A Mann–Kendall trend analysis was performed at the settlement level using Python to identify trends in hypertension cases. The Getis-Ord Gi* statistic, implemented through the Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (HSA) tool in ArcGIS Pro, was applied to detect spatial clusters of hot and cold spots. The Mann–Kendall analysis identified significant trends in 40 of the 467 settlements in Autonomous Province Vojvodina. Of these, 36 settlements exhibited an increasing trend in hypertension cases, while a decreasing trend was observed in 4 settlements. The Emerging HSA detected 19 clusters classified as “Consecutive Hot Spots” among 316 analysed clusters, with no discernible patterns observed in the remaining clusters. To compare the findings and results from these two analyses, the Kriging method was applied to the z-values of trends from both analyses. The method indicated higher trends in hypertension cases in settlements within South Bačka County. This research identifies areas with significant hypertension trends, helping to pinpoint high-risk regions. The results support further investigation into the causes and guide targeted public health interventions in the study area.

This study analyzes the spatiotemporal patterns of seven common cancers in the male population using 23 years of data (1999–2021) across 18 counties in Central Serbia. The spatial distribution of cancer incidence and mortality rates and their temporal evolution were exam-ined at the county level using Getis–Ord G*i techniques,while trends were analysed with Mann-Kendall statistics.Hot spot analysis revealed a decline in mortality rates, whereas incidence rates increased. New colorectal cancer incidence hotspots emerged in three counties, while con-secutive bladder cancer hotspots appeared in two counties.
Conversely, new cold spots in mortality rates were found for lung and bronchus cancer in four counties, stomach cancer in two, and laryngeal cancer in one. An increasingtrend in both incidence and mortality rates was identified for lung and bronchus cancer and colorectal cancer in three counties. In addition, prostate and pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality rates rose in two counties. In contrast, stomach cancer showed a decreasing trend in four counties, as did laryngeal cancer in two. This research enhances public health efforts by identifying vulnerable areas, assessing current health strategies, and guiding new interventions.

This study presents a detailed investigation of the Velika Vrbica loess-palaeosol sequence, situated in the Wallachian Basin of northeastern Serbia, with the aim to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental changes spanning Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 3 to 1. Using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, low field magnetic susceptibility (χlf), and mass accumulation rates (MARs), we have developed a robust geochronological framework and analysed sedimentary and environmental processes over the last glacial–interglacial cycle. The OSL chronology reveals consistent loess deposition from ~41 to 3 ka, with peak accumulation rates recorded during MIS 3 and late MIS 2. The MAR data challenge conventional models of loess formation, as higher deposition rates are observed during the interstadial MIS 3 compared to the Last Glacial Maximum. This finding suggests regional variations in aeolian activity and climate dynamics that differ from the widely accepted pattern of intensified dust deposition during colder glacial periods. The environmental magnetic record of the Velika Vrbica loess sequence presented here shows more similarities with equivalent sections in the Wallachian Basin than in the Vojvodina region. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of loess formation processes and palaeoenvironmental variability on a continental scale, reinforcing the importance of high-resolution chronological and sedimentological studies in disentangling global vs. regional influences on past dust deposition.

The ultrasound-assisted extraction process with microwave pretreatment was modeled and optimized to maximize the yield of antioxidants from green walnut husks using a response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design. In this design, the ultrasound-assisted extraction time (10–40 min), ultrasound-assisted extraction temperature (40–60 °C), and microwave pretreatment time (20–60 s) were selected as the factors, while the total antioxidant content was defined as the response. The solvent of choice for extracting antioxidants was 50% (v/v) ethanol. After optimization using the desirability function, an ultrasound-assisted extraction time of 23 min, ultrasound-assisted extraction temperature of 60 °C, and microwave pretreatment time of 60 s were proposed as the optimal conditions and their validity was verified. Under these conditions, the experimentally determined total antioxidant content was 3.69 g of gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry matter. In addition to phenolics, UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis indicated the presence of lipids, quinones, terpenoids, and organic acids in the extract. After the antioxidant extraction, the solid residue was further processed to isolate cellulose in line with the concept of sustainable manufacturing. The structural characterization and hydration properties of cellulose were analyzed to identify its key features and assess its potential for value-added applications. The results demonstrate that green walnut husks are a valuable and cost-effective agro-industrial byproduct for extracting antioxidants and isolating cellulose. This aligns with the principles of a circular economy and the sustainable production of natural compounds.

Soils are among Earth’s most vital yet slowly renewable natural resources. Chernozem stands out as the most fertile soil globally, capable of yielding high agricultural productivity, and it continues to play a significant role in modern agriculture. The Vojvodina region of Serbia is renowned for its fertile soil, including Chernozem. This study aims to evaluate the current condition and geotourism potential of ten captivating Chernozem sites in the Vojvodina region by using the method for assessment of tourism potential of soil sites. The analysis emphasizes that all evaluated sites possess notable tourism potential due to their natural attractions and appeal to visitors. However, the findings underscore the need for improved services and infrastructure to facilitate tourism development at these sites, essential for attracting larger tourist groups. This study serves as an initial step towards creating educational soil trails to promote the natural, socio-economic, and cultural aspects of this pedo-geoheritage. Additionally, this article aims to provide insights into key aspects of the current tourist features at these destinations that could benefit from further enhancement.

In this study, in a pioneering effort, glomalin proteins were extracted and geochemically characterized from soil in Serbia. Standard chemical (dry combustion, Walkley-Black) and spectroscopic methods (fourier trans form infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scat tering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM)) were used to gain insight into the glomalin proteins. Samples from the City of Novi Sad (Serbia) were used for character ization and comparison. The soil contained an average of 17 mg/g of glomalin, representing ≈21% of the soil organic matter. DLS zeta potential analysis and the FTIR spectra reveal two significant differences before and after glo malin extraction, indicating a relationship between sand fractions and organic matter that affects particle aggrega tion and erosion potential. A comparison of SEM images and DLS results reveals that the glomalin extract consists of two particle size groups (0.08–1 and 6 µm), suggesting that the extraction process isolates only a smaller fraction of proteins and less tightly bound particles, indicating that soil aggregation is influenced by both mineralogy and the characteristics of organic matter. Hence, our research raises important questions about the role of glomalin in mitigating soil degradation processes, particularly soil ero sion. Our study will enhance the overall understanding of glomalin, inspire future research, and prove beneficial for the sustainable restoration of degraded lands.

The Middle Danube (Carpathian) Basin is considered to encompass some of the thickest and most complete records of aeolian dust deposition in Europe, covering the last two glacial–interglacial cycles. In this study, independent, published chronologies based on absolute dating methods were compiled for 34 loess-palaeosol sequences and modelled using Bayesian statistics. Mass accumulation rates (MARs) calculated from the Bayesian age models range from 50 to 1922 g m−2 a−1 with a mean value of 317±35 g m−2 a−1. The glacial–interglacial changes of the MAR estimates only partially agree with the accepted dust deposition model, where high accumulation rates are observed during the cold glacial stages, while low values are typical for the warmer interglacial periods. There is a rapid increase of MAR values during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2, with the highest deposition in most cases observed ~25–18 ka. During MIS 3, the dust deposition was 1.8 times higher than during MIS 4. Regionally, the MARs appear to be highest in the northern part of the Middle Danube Basin, showing decreasing values towards the south. However, due to a variety of factors such as low dating resolution, age distribution, and biases in the dating method, it is debatable whether these results are representative estimates of atmospheric dust activity in the Middle Danube Basin during MIS 5–MIS 1.