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The rivers of the Northern part of European territory of Russia (ETR) contain large amounts of organic matter. This is due to natural features of the area (short cool summer, high wetlands, large areas of forests and features of soil formation), and to specificity of the anthropogenic impact. One of the largest rivers of the Northern ETR is the Northern Dvina River, flowing into the Dvina Bay of the White Sea. A general study of the organic carbon content in the bottom sediment of the Northern Dvina River mouth area was carried out since 2004. The paper studies the content of organic carbon in warm (August) and cold (February-March) periods of the year characterized by different physical and chemical, hydrology and meteorological situation. Over 40 samples were examined. The main features of the temporal and spatial distribution of organic carbon in the Northern Dvina River mouth area were discussed. The highest concentrations of organic carbon are found in the wastewater discharge zones of the woodworking, pulp and paper and timber chemical industries. The organic carbon content was significantly higher in warm season than in the cold season. The role of such factors as hydrodynamic characteristics of the water body, substrate of bottom sediments, sources of organic matter and the role of anthropogenic activities in its receipt were evaluated. The correlation dependences between the content of organic carbon and heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the study area was estimated. The significant correlation coefficients between contents of some heavy metals (zinc and cadmium) and organic matter were determined. It's confirms a significant role of organic carbon in the heavy metals accumulation in the bottom sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important part of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic new research project "Methodology of sustainable agricultural management in anthropogenic damaged landscape" is the research of the products of combustion usability during reclamation works and the dumps consolidation. Obtaining the missing information about the character of the different types of solid products after combustion of brown coal and biomass is the first stage of this research. The main part of the paper summarises the characterisation of the basic properties and the chemical composition of combustion products and their boundary conditions in relation to real use. Results indicate that these materials are potentially interesting, but, due to their variable composition, they must be characterised before use in order to avoid unwanted consequences for the environment. The first results of the laboratory analyses of samples and the evaluation of the characteristics in the first research dump areas are summarised in the conclusion of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to highlight the problems of country development in the territory affected by the land consolidation (LC) project. Using the example of the model area (988 ha) is determined the intensity of anthropogenic impact on the ecological stability of the territory in three time horizons. On the basis of historical landscape structure in 1858 (2nd military mapping), in 2014 (geodetic survey of planimetry) and "future" (after implementing the measures proposed in the project of LC) was carried out analysis of the intensity of anthropogenic impact of individual areas by the method for calculating the ecological stability (modified for LC process). Assigned values of quality of ecological stability (5 degrees) to each area in time horizons have been overlapped by grid with size of 100 m (using analytic functions in GIS). Acreage representations of individual degrees of ecological stability were determined by each square of the grid (number of 889). These acreages were determined by different methods (e.g. fuzzy clustering). Squares of grid were membered into 5 clusters (according to their similarities). Clusters were evaluated and compared in different time horizons and the intensity and direction of anthropogenic impact were objectively quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of human trafficking for sexual exploitation by capturing the evolution of the phenomenon in a changed political-economic context after Romania joined the European Union. The data analyzed were obtained in a qualitative research ANIMANOVA (2009-2012) coordinated by The Partnership for The Equality Center Bucharest. Based on the interviews with professionals and victims from Romania we will present the changes in the magnitude or the phenomenon, in the traffickers' recruiting strategies, methods of exploitation, in the profile of the victims, problems in identification of the victims. Our results shows changeless data's in magnitude, decreasing level of physical violence a high level of manipulation used in the phase of the recruitment, similarities with domestic violence dynamic in exploitation phase and in problems of victims help seeking and their identification by authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decades, transport and handling equipment sites have became progressively pronounced in areas that were recently lacking transport services. In many cases, transport services are not provided in mountain areas and in areas that have not been significantly affected by anthropogenic impacts yet. Local natural materials and asphalt mixtures are used for road construction, in which it causes road movement. Used asphalt mixtures are made up of mixtures of various organic substances, usually aromatic nature, that may be potentially harmful to the environment and public health. According to the primary data, from the surface water edibility to potable water, the paper assesses the potential harmfulness of used bituminous mixtures for water management purposes in the area of natural surface water accumulation. Laboratory analysis provide a reasonable assumption: the environment and public health are slightly affected by the bitumen communication network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important indicator of the existing and possible pollution of any water area is the content of trace metals in bottom sediments that can characterize the level of anthropogenic load. Analysis of the content of metals in bottom sediments in different parts of the water area made it possible to establish the features of distribution of toxic metals in dependence on natural geochemical processes and to identify the areas that experience the most intensive anthropogenic load. In the paper, estimates of the spatial distribution of the investigated parameters were obtained, and correlations between bottom sediment fractions and elevated concentrations of heavy metals were found. Analysis of the quantitative characteristics of granulometric composition and the features of spatial distribution of the bottom fractions showed that over the past ten years an increase in the fraction of fine-grained material has been noted, and the areas of its accumulation are located in places of active anthropogenic development. The content of clay material in the sediments of the Balaklava bay for all samples on average increased from 58.2 to 65.9%, and its maximum values still concentrate in the western and northwestern parts of the bay. Pollution of the bottom sediments of the Balaklava bay by metals is of polyelement nature and is determined primarily by metals such as Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Sr. Specific features variability in the content of the elements and localization of their inputs to the ecosystem were determined. Maximum metal concentrations are observed near local pollution sources. The obtained results allowed to evaluate the modern ecological state of the investigated regional object, to develop recommendations for its rational economic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the need to improve techniques and methods of valuation acceptable impacts on the ecosystem of the lake. Baikal. A study is made of the negative influence of discharges of harmful (polluting) substances on the unique ecological system of Lake Baikal. The scientific substantiation has been developed for the normative of maximum permissible impacts on the lake's ecological system and the methods of determining them. On the basis of a statistical processing of hydrobiological and hydrochemical data for Lake Baikal, collection and analysis of initial information on the main components of the chemical balance in Lake Baikal, assessments of the anthropogenic load on the lake, and calculations of the balances of pollutants, we determined the normative of permissible impacts on the ecosystems of Baikal and its hollows regarding inputs of chemical substances and suspended solids as well as microorganisms. The developed scientifically-based recommendations include proposals for regulating the masses and concentrations of harmful substances by discharged into the lake Baikal and its tributaries, the amount of emissions and discharges to the Baikal Natural Territory, the adjustment of the list of standardized substances to the lake, the establishment of standards for the permissible impact for the main sources of negative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a study on water quality, which can be influenced by biological, physical and chemical parameters of water. Water quality has the purpose of identifying the direction of water use for both domestic and industrial purposes and is of particular importance to humans and living organisms. In addition to the human factors that have a major impact on water quality (both for surface and for groundwater), there are also natural factors and anthropogenic activities. The purpose of the study is to analyze the indicators determined in surface water in the salt mine area in Targu Ocna, Romania and to identify potential pollution factors. The samples were collected from two points in the Slănic River and two points from the Trotuş River. They were analyzed 7 indicators such as pH, chloride, sulphate, calcium, sodium, filtrate residue, extractable substances. These values of this parameter were compared to the permissible limits according to the water quality standards. Following the water quality analyzes conducted on the Slănic River and the TrotuşRiver, the quality indicators tracked show that their value falls largely within the limits imposed by the legislation. Following the analysis of the water quality of the Slănic River and the Trotuş River, the quality indicators pursued highlight that the values of the indicator concentrations are higher downstream and lower upstream with the Salt Solution Section for the Slanic River and for the Trotuş River the concentrations of the indicators are higher upstream and lower downstream of the salt mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main task of complex environmental monitoring is evaluating the state of an aquatic system and state prediction of ecosystem links under different levels of water supply, anthropogenic influence and climatic fluctuations. The paper analyzes the interannual dynamics of functional activity of bacterio - and phytoplankton of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir depending on abiotic factors (reservoir filling level and temperature conditions). The data have been obtained from series of regular observations during the growing season in the 2000 - 2017. In the work, distribution of concentration of chlorophyll "a" and photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton, production characteristics of bacterioplankton and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) are presented. The analysis is carried out in the model-driven system of support of hydrobiological studies of the Krasnoyarsk reservoir by the method of k-means. Systematization of accumulated data of scientific research has become a basis for a sequence of long-term investigations, a comparative analysis of data from related studies and data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat resistance to heavy metals (HM) is an urgent ecological problem and it can limit crop production around the many countries in the world. HM is considered as an environmental factor of the anthropogenous nature which influences growth and development of wheat. New approaches are focusing on using of a genetic pool of wild- growing types of crops as an introgressive genetic material for increasing wheat adaptability to HM. In the model, laboratory tests of HM influence on wheat growth used the grain yield of 2014-2016, which is grown up on the field of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute Agriculture and Plant Growing. Wilkins's coefficient to quantitative comparison of metals resistance was applied. The level of free proline in the wheat seedlings, which are grown up on the nutrient medium containing different salts of HT, are determined. Data was processed by method of variation statistics. The paper presents the results of experimental researches on the effect of HM on the growth rates of seedlings of 10 introgressive forms of wheat. Introgressive forms obtained by interspecific hybridization of varieties of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of Kazakh breeding with wild species of Triticum timopheevii, Triticum militinae, Aegilops cylindrical, Aegilops triaristata. It showed that HM cause inhibition of growth processes of wheat introgressive forms. However, there was heterogeneity in the degree of response of roots and seedlings, as well as HM effect on various introgressive forms of wheat. Significant growth inhibition effect caused by Cu2+ and Cd2+. Inhibition of root growth occurred on average by 40-60% under the impact of these metals. Zn2+ salt even stimulated the germination of some introgressive forms. The introgressive form PEG 304 x Komsomol 1, allocated with higher level of a proline response for action of zinc and copper ions had received. The sample Zhetysu's x T.timopheevii differed by 2-3 times in lower indicators of free proline in response to a metal stress. The maximum accumulation of free proline was observed under the influence of Cd2+ and Cu2+, smaller - under the influence of zinc salt (Zn2+). These phenomena were established: wide norm reaction for the introgressive forms of wheat on HM influence (salts Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+); genotype specificity in response to the environmental stress caused by ionic toxicity; specificity of influence of various HM on the growth of studied forms; prospects using of free proline to determine of resistance of wheat introgressive forms to HM. The hybrid combinations with T.militinae participation showing resistance to HM, for example, wheat introgressive form Zhetysu x T.militinae, were revealed. The received results will promote wheat breeding on adaptability to ecological stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to point out to conception of remediation approaches in the mining landscape after ending of mining. Remediation is technically and financially very demanding. According authors of some scientific studies comparing the results of the technical and biological reclamation with a spontaneous succession showed the advantages of spontaneous succession. Therefore the current trend in landscape ecology promotes procedures without technical remediation, which limits the progressive succession. On the territory of Middle Spiš, which are includes Rudňany was long period area of intensive mining mainly iron and copper ores. In the 90 years there was an attenuation ores mining and ultimately the closure of the mines. The structure of the landscape is largely influenced by mining activity both on the surface, where there are remarkable anthropogenic surface man-made landforms - mine landforms, but also below the surface where they formed the so-called mining basement. The process of remediation takes place differentiated, namely by various remediation procedures (or the remediation is missing) which are the cause of transformation of utilisation of the landscape and of change its physiognomy. An essential means of research was the study of maps and archival materials and as well long-term field research. Comparison of results from different time periods, we came to the conclusions and recommendations which are presented in article. On the basis of the latest trends of the expert studies, in the current period the greatest emphasis gives on the aesthetic value of the former mining spaces in the landscape, which has educational potential and the potential for tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased vulnerability of the aquatic landscapes of Subarctic of the European part of Russia to anthropogenic impact is a consequence of natural conditions and its geographical location. In this regard, the study of small rivers and their catchments which are remote from the direct influence of the industrial and residential zones is of particular interest to researchers, since they can be considered as background areas of the Subarctic. One of these rivers is Kyanda flowing into the Onega Bay of the White Sea. In the course of expeditionary research conducted in the warm season in the river Kyanda and its tributaries, unique data on the mercury content and the values of the basic physical and chemical parameters (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen content, pH and Eh) of the water in river and sea conditions was obtained. In this connection, the authors of this paper identified and studied the main factors and processes that determine the physical and chemical environment and influencing the spatial (along the transect «river -- mouth seashore -- bay») and temporary (in different phases of the tide) distribution of mercury. Statistical analysis between the total mercury content, its dissolved and suspended migration forms and the basic physical and chemical parameters confirmed that the heterogeneity in the distribution of pH values and salinity has a significant effect on the mercury migration ability. These parameters are also a cause of the prevalence of particular inorganic mercury compounds in water. The high Pearson correlation coefficient between the various forms of the mercury migration content and pH values (and salinity to a greater extent) is confirmed this effect. The predominant inorganic mercury form in the water of the river Kyanda is mercury (II) chloride (HgCl2), which was revealed as a fact. An increase in the occurrence of mercury (II) tetrachloride -- ([HgCl4]2-) to 80% was observed in the maximum tidal phase (high water). It was confirmed accordingly that the prevailing hydrological conditions is a significant factor in determining the behavior of mercury in the river Kyanda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is inventarization, mapping and valorization of coal mining waste dumps, which occur in the area of Gliwice city (southern Poland, NW part of USCB), for the needs of reclamation and management of examined objects and defining potential recovery of coal from the dumps. Valorization of post-mining waste dumps has been done using original methodology, considering problems of reclamation, management, accessibility of the dumps as well as environmental hazards. On three valorized post-mining waste dumps, occurring in the boundaries of Gliwice, there were disposed mining wastes from two underground coal mines: Gliwice and Sośnica-Makoszowy. None of dumps is endangered by self-ignition and fires, but one dump is partially burned. Two objects represent tabular dumps, which have been reclaimed using mixed type of biological reclamation: tree reclamation and grass cultivation. One dump is partially taken apart. All dumps have good accessibility. One dump is partially burned, what reduces possibilities of recovery of coal from waste material. Two other dumps could be considered as potential anthropogenic deposits, but in one case a limiting factor is relative small surface of the dump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of determinations of Arsenic (As) and some heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, V) in 46 samples of river bottom sediments, flood plain deposits and above flood-plain soils, which were collected from three layers (0-1, 1-10 and 10-30 sm). The determinations were made separately in the different particle-size fraction (from 5.0 to 0.05 mm), the mobile forms were extracted using 1M HCl as the extraction agent. The concentrations of the heavy metals studied were lowest in the gravel small (5-2 mm) and coarse sand (2-1 mm) fractions, and the highest in the aleurite (0,1-0 05 mm) fraction. The concentration factor (the ratio of the concentration of elements in sediments to the value of the background concentration) Ka and the total concentration ratio Zc were used to characterize the anthropogenic pollution of heavy metals. The minimum value Zc was of about 0.9 (Motyl), the maximum value - 9.6 (Kurovka). Thus the bottom sediments of studied watercourses of the Kaliningrad region can be attributed to relatively clean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to point out the negative impact of tailings ponds on the landscape and on their reclamation. The existence of the tailings ponds in the mining area poses a complex problem, which affects the environment, violates the landscape, and causes health problems to the nearby residents. Reclamation is technically and financially demanding. Remediation of tailings ponds is determined according its location and the method the storage and as well the composition of sludge as well as to other factors. The domain of the region of Middle Spiš was the activity in the ore mining especially in the past. As a result the landscape structure in this territory underwent a significant transformation. The most significant change was stricken the relief of the landscape. On the basis of the mining arose man-made forms of relief. The significantly of them are tailings ponds. These include also the flotation tailings pond at the village Markušovce which was created as a result of an accumulation the sludge from ore processing. At present time tailings pond is as anthropogenic bearing of barite on which is on-going mining of the waste from flotation ore for the industry e. g. of the extraction of crude petroleum (rinsing of drilling rigs). We consider this is a very effective way to minimize negative impacts on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with a broader emphasis on sustainable environmental policy, possible better governance of natural and anthropogenic risks and building of resilience of the citizens of the Czech Republic, living in medium towns and cities, against disasters. In last 5-10 years, the term "resilience" getting to be very intensively used worldwide, both by scientists and politics, especially according to the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), ongoing climate change and obvious shifts in ecosystems. A lot of potentially useful tools, strategies, guidelines and publications have been written and promoted (for example by experts from Resilience Alliance, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Economic Forum, Stocholm Resilience Centre, etc.). The questions are: How can we wisely implement and use some of these great concepts, ideas and tools in the conditions of Middle Europe, for example in the Czech Republic? How can we change the current not very resilient behavioral patterns of children and adults in the cities from rather passive reaction (mostly just waiting for rescue in the time after any disaster), towards more active pursuit of self-protection and self-rescue of themselves and neighbors, till the moment, when units of integrated rescue system will take the place and try to do their best? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Republic of Macedonia has an extensive mining past and presence, related to several polymetallic mineral deposits, which is important for its economy. This paper focuses on efforts we made to organize Microsoft Access database with the most representative data for the across the World well known Alshar polymetallic deposit in the Republic of Macedonia. At the very beginning, with the software package "Microsoft Access" we have organized database with information of the most important geological, metallogenic and economic features of the deposit. Also, we have not omitted the fact that, although limited, mine exploitation has been followed with production of significant anthropogenic input to the environment, so we have structured and anthropogenic database too. Both databases were adapted for simple and sophisticated querying of particular deposit and anthropogenic features and allows edition of reports and a geographic display of the queried information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variety of urban landscapes, especially of urban green spaces provide a wide range of human well-being opportunities, physical recreation, sport activities, and urban heat mitigation. Therefore, there are many studies applying remote sensing and GIS methods, which were related to the sustainable city development focused on the "green network", "green spaces" and land use. Conversely, illegal landfills in and around settlements and rivers have a negative anthropogenic impact on the environment. Therefore, their study is crucial for sustainable planning and landscaping. In this work, the study on urban landscape units and illegal landfills in the Velingrad City, Bulgaria is presented. The following main urban landscape units (ULU) were identified using remote sensing and GIS techniques for calculation of several vegetation and built-up indices from Sentinel 2A satellite imagery (Date: 2023-02-14) and Mean Shift segmentation: 1. Green areas; 2. Residential area/Impervious surface; 3. Industrial area; 4. Stadium; 5. Broad-leaved forest; 7. Coniferous forest; 7. Mixed forest; 8. Grass/Pasture/Shrub; 9. Arable land; 10. Complex cultivation patterns/significant areas of natural vegetation; 11. Water body/River Bank Trees; 12. Lake, and 13. Bare Earth/Paths. The illegal dumps have been investigated in the summer of 2023. The results show that the main types of unregulated landfills in the city of Velingrad are household, construction/industrial and plastic waste. They are distributed in the river and the riverside, near construction areas, hotels and restaurants, as well as in Lake Kleptuza, and most of them can be cleaned, re-cultivated and landscaped. The methodological approach and obtained results in this work will be further used to elaborate models of anthropogenic impact at river basin scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of coal mining in Jiu Valley is acutely conditioned by a multitude of factors, arising from the interference of force lines of different decision centres, the effects of which - often cumulative or even antagonistic -- may lead to irreparable consequences. The failure to take into account the totality of all the economic, social-geographic, technogenic and anthropogenic aspects have not allowed until now the outline of realistic and viable scenarios which may cut the Gordian knot of the multilevel challenge which this socio-industrial complex faces, scenarios which shall be the basis of a coherent and consequent strategy, challenges which unsolved may produce irreversible and dramatic effects for the future of the area as well as that of the national economy. The paper intend to offer -- at least as a methodological approach -- an assessment based on the scenarios of benefits and losses which the national economy may record by ignoring or not taking into a fair account of the proportion of the role of this industrial complex for Romania's energetic future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floodplain forest ecosystems along lowland rivers in Central Europe were subject to long-term and strong human impacts. In history, floodplain forests were usually managed using the coppice-with-standards silvicultural system. Therefore, floodplain forests are valuable habitats with respect to its biodiversity. Rich biodiversity is the main reason of including of the most of floodplain forest ecosystems to ecological networks in lowland landscapes along big rivers. Currently, historical coppice-with- standards management is considered to be appropriate for floodplain forests, which formed core zones of ecological networks in lowland areas. This paper presents case study about applying coppice-with-standards management to ecological network from the Czech Republic taking into account conservation targets of Natura 2000 European network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment of the contemporary, fast-growing, cities is exposed to numerous risks related to progressive urban development, extension of engineering infrastructure and transportation, growth of services and industry as a result of which the greater and greater anthropogenic impact upon the environment takes place. A frequent phenomenon accompanying the spontaneously implemented changes is degradation of cities' spatial structure that leads to irreversible changes in their functioning. The research on cities' natural threats, including potential water erosion have been conducted for many years. In case of superficial extension of built-up areas in the cities, including their outskirts, more and more often they happen to invade onto the areas being at risk of water erosion. Water erosion of soil is a natural process and its intensity is determined, among other things, by some anthropogenic factors such as the uncontrolled urban development, inappropriate implementation of infrastructure. The City of Kielce, due to its location within the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and its dynamic growth, is exposed to water erosion risk to a large extent. Having used the data gathered in the Spatial Information System for the City of Kielce, a soil and gradient map within the City was elaborated and further compared to a area coverage map as a result of which a potential water erosion risk map was generated. The analysis was performed with the use of the ArcGis software. The final part of this paper deals with the analysis of City's urban development documents in respect of the arrangements related to erosion risks and methods of its prevention, land development trends for areas at risk by efficient development of urbanized land as well as protection of open ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the evaluation of the level of ecological stability of the landscape and on the degree of anthropogenic impact on the landscape in a regular square of grid (real size squares 0.25 km²) in an ArcView GIS 3.2. Model area represents the cadastral territory of the Bardejov city (72.8 km²), which is located in the northern part of the Eastern Slovakia. First method which we have used in this contribution is based on the evaluation the meaning of the land cover classes in the meaning the work of [11]. The second method was based on the exploring the variation the coefficient of ecological stability of the landscape within the relations of the anthropogenic interference into the landscape structure [8]. The underlays for monitoring the intensity of anthropogenic intervention of, as well as the degree of eco-stabilizing ability of the country have become the layers of a secondary landscape structure (land cover classes). Since that the anthropogenic interference in landscape may cause irreversible changes in the landscape structure, these changes were recorded in the time-spatial context (time horizons 1985, 2009). The importance of the work is in the comparison of two methods of research and its results. The importance of the work is in the comparison of two methods of research and its results with a focus on the fluctuation the index of ecological stability in the square of grid with minimal surfaces. Represents possibility efficiency of research based on the use of homogenous spatial units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the Republic of Macedonia there are numerous polymetallic mineral deposits important for its economy. This paper focuses on efforts we made to organize Microsoft Access database with the most representative data for the most important Pb-Zn deposit in the Republic of Macedonia, the Sasa deposit and mine near the city of Makedonska Kamenica. First of all, with the software package "Microsoft Access" we have organized database with information of the most important geological, metallogenic and economic features of the deposit. Also, we have not omitted the fact that each active mine exploitation has been followed with production of significant anthropogenic input to the environment, so we have structured and anthropogenic database too. Both databases were adapted for simple and sophisticated querying of particular deposit and anthropogenic features and allows edition of reports and a geographic display of the queried information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Settlement extinction is a very common phenomenon in the borderlands of the North- West part of the Czech Republic. After the 2nd World War were almost all the German inhabitants moved from the borderlands to Germany. Almost all of the former settlement has disappeared as it was never again inhabited. A very significant example presented in this paper is the former village Jilmová (in German Ulmbach). The task of this project is to perform settlement development analysis on both sides of the border, land-use change analysis within the cadaster Jilmová and to identify the settlement residuals in the field. The settlement residual identification was performed by several methods - identification using the old maps, high precision LIDAR scanning, GNSS field survey, Kite Aerial Photography (KAP) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). All the processed data are available as a web-mapping application using the ArcGIS API for Flex offering the project results to the wide public use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality of life is directly influenced by the quality of the environment. Environmental quality is influenced by various factors, mainly by anthropogenic activities. Evaluation of environmental quality is realized by many various indicators and methods, but more preferred are more complex methods. Main aim of this paper is to assess the environmental situation using the green growth indicators and offer a comprehensive view of post crisis economic development, which includes also environmental aspects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference spatial data represent natural (the land cover, water bodies, etc.) and anthropogenic (buildings, roads, etc.) objects of the landscape. The least changing real world objects are stored in state reference spatial data sets at scales of 1:10,000, 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 in Lithuania. The smaller scale spatial objects are, as a rule, updated by using spatial objects at a larger scale. However these reference spatial data sets of different scales are updated independently from each other in Lithuania. The processes of updating reference spatial data sets at the smaller scales are mostly manual and only partially automatic. There are no relationships between the spatial objects in state reference spatial data sets of different scales at present. This makes the update of the reference spatial data sets at the smaller scales a complex and costly task. Therefore the mentioned problems initiated the research of the possible automated update of the state reference spatial data sets at a scale of 1:50,000 by using the spatial objects at a scale of 1:10,000 in Lithuania. The simplest GIS task is manual collecting and updating of spatial objects. Contemporary GIS provide powerful tools for the automation of these processes as well. In order to effectively carry out the works, it is recommended to use automatic procedures of generalisation as much as possible. The proper selection of usable functions of generalisation and the modelling of a consistent automatic workflow of the update were the key tasks of the current research. To efficiently carry out the work in the future the author presents the possibilities to update spatial objects only in the cases when related spatial objects at a scale of 1:10,000 are changed. The paper describes the results of the research, which include the conceptual model of the automated update of the state reference spatial data set at a scale of 1:50,000 based on state reference spatial data sets at a scale of 1:10,000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the geochemical forms of arsenic that are present in bottom sediments of rivers and surface waters under various oxidative conditions. In summer, in the rivers with the high anthropogenic load the redox potential of bottom sediments varies from 78 mV to 255 mV (at a temperature of 16-20°C), which corresponds to oxidative and mixed oxidative-reductive conditions. It is shown that under these conditions arsenic is present in the form of insoluble arsenous acid, partially ionized arsenic acid and arsenous acid that adsorbed on hydrated iron oxide with a ratio of the forms of about 15:65:25. With rising temperature above 22°C in shallows, the redox potential can reduce to 25-60 mV due to a decrease of the dissolved oxygen content. In this conditions the content of immobile form of As (III) could increase. In winter was noticed the changing of the redox conditions toward oxidative ones (the potential value varies up to 320-340 mV), and the ratio of arsenic forms varies in the direction of increasing mobile forms As (V). The assessed value of the background concentrations of As in river bottom sediments and surface waters of the rivers which flow into Vistula (Kaliningradsky) Bay has been of about 3.5 ± 0.3 mg/kg and 2,5±0.4 mkg/dm3 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the eastern area of Romania, a hill area and a plateau, there is a very large number of small dams. These were an average age of about 40 years and were made from local materials. In the period between their implementation and 1989, these accumulations were centrally managed by local governments. Generally, these accumulations were used for irrigation, fish farming, and in secondary, they had the role of mitigating the flood waves. The fact that the accumulations were exploited by the local administrations allowed, according to the funds, administration according to the norms in force at that time. Immediately after the political changes that took place in 1989 these small accumulations and their associated dams have passed from the administration of the local authorities to the administration of private investors. Financial burdens in the early 1990s have made many of the investors who have taken over these accumulations and their associated dams not exploit them in accordance with the rules in force or even abandon these hydro technical works. Along with the political changes in 1989 the agricultural land was taken over by the old owners and their cultivation was done on small plots, which were usually perpendicular to the watercourse. This has led to erosion of soils and the clogging of water storage tanks. Over these facts overlapped major deforestations that have had a knock-on effect on changing land use and climate change that have made floods and flood volumes entering such a low accumulation significantly rising. This paper presents a theoretical study and a model for calculating how such a small accumulation can be rehabilitated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For most soils, genetic inheritance is the determining factor of heavy metal abundance. The anthropogenic impact on the soil produced by fertilizers, pesticides, zootechnical residues, wastewater or particles brought to the soil by gaseous emissions, brings important quantities of heavy metals into the soil. Among these, the most toxic are Cd and Pb. The aim of the study was to establish the levels of Cd and Pb in soil and Beta vulgaris roots, sampled from eight locations from Tarnaveni area, an industrial center from Romania. Soil samples were taken from the depth of 0-20 cm as well as 20-40 cm. For determinations we used the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Our results reveal that in all sites, the values of Cd and Pb in soil were higher than the normal values for Romania (1 ppm for Cd and 20 ppm for Pb). Corresponding to one location, the alert value established by legislation for Pb (50 ppm) was also exceeded. In four of the eight locations, the Cd content in the roots of Beta vulgaris exceeded the maximum admissible value for plants (0.1 ppm). In conclusion, following the results obtained, we recommend monitoring the content of these toxic metals in the soil and plants grown in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present material demonstrates appliance of regional studies on the area of Central Danube Plain in Bulgaria for determination the characteristic maximum flows at nonobserved river sections with focusing on for flood risk areas. River flow is characterized by annual variability in maximum runoff caused by climatic factors and anthropogenic impacts. For this reason, in most cases, information from hydrometric stations cannot be used directly. One of the main tasks of hydrological research is the transfer of information from observed river sections to unobservable ones based on the recorded flows from the monitoring network. In the present study, the statistical maximum estimates used are the time series of annual maximum flows for the period 1961-2018, which are composed of instantaneous absolute values of the maximum runoff recorded within one calendar year for each hydrometric station. For the adopted period, there are complete time series of annual maximums for almost all stations in the country, which ensures comparability of results. The used regionalization approach is based on the correlation between the specific flows (in this case the annual maximums for the hydrometric stations) and one of the main characteristics of the catchments. These links are established after detailed analysis and justification. The regression relationship used is proven to be appropriate for determining maximum runoff at non monitored stations in multiple developments. For further refinement and analysis of the regression relationships, information from closed and frozen stations from the hydrometric network was used with shorter rows but providing additional clarity for areas with fewer hydrometer stations. Regional studies were conducted for the area of the central Danube Plain, where three large watersheds are located - the Vit, Ossam and Yantra. All available hydrological information at the National Institute of Meteorology and Meteorology has been used to estimate the characteristic maximum flows at the gauging stations and afterwards their spreading at non-observed sections. The material is illustrated with maps and graphics of the hydrological zones and regional relationships in the three river systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of complex scientific expeditions were carried out. The samples of water and bottom sediments of the Big Tambukan Lake were taken. In these samples the specific activities of natural and anthropogenic radio-isotopes including Cesiun-137 and Lead- 210 were measured. Due to the results of analysis of cesiun-137 and lead-210 vertical distribution in the sediment cores the sedimentation rate in the Big Tambukan Lake is estimated at 3.2 to 3.5 mm per year. The data on the Lead-210 excessive activity is used to study the temporal fluctuations of sedimentation rates. The data present in the report of regular observations of the lake level shows that these fluctuations of sedimentation rates are conditioned by dramatic changes in the lake level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to assess the ecological state of the Moskva River on the content of heavy metals in bottom sediments by the method of L. Hokanson. The method of determining the coefficient of bottom accumulation (CBA) was also used. The content of metals was determined by the X-ray fluorescent method according to the approved procedure. The analysis of the obtained data made it possible to draw a number of conclusions. First, the average level of some heavy metals (zinc, nickel, copper, manganese) was established in the bottom sediments of the Moskva River in the lower reaches. Second, comparison of the obtained data with background indices allowed to characterize the pollution degree of these bottom sediments as significant. Increased content of heavy metals in bottom sediments may be caused by anthropogenic load of the territory located outside the city of Moscow in the south-east. Third, the conducted studies showed that in comparison with river waters pollution levels in bottom sediments are higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1972 at United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm was proposed the program of ecological monitoring, which examined the biosphere reserves as the essential part of conservation policy. After that conference, the Soviet Union took the official responsibilities of establishing biosphere reserves on its territory. In 1976 the Soviet academy of sciences established the project of fire biosphere reserves in different parts of Soviet Union to expand ecological monitoring from local to national level. That program had also a global scale when the Soviet Union and the USA in 1976 signed negotiation of choosing on both countries similar biosphere reserves. The Soviet Union had already more that 100 nature reserves, but they were used only for local conservation and cannot prevent territories from anthropogenic loan. The territories of rich biodiversity should be protected as national parks and it is could be visited by tourists for recreation purposes. Such renewable resources of National parks as ground and mineral waters, agriculture products and timber could be used by local industry, but the anthropogenic influence of that process should be very limited. From 1980th the biosphere reserves in the Soviet Union obtained much more research functions and gave scientists an opportunity to compare those protected territories and the places where the environmental load was very high. They should be focused on ecological monitoring, so it will be possible making research of pollutants migration from the surrounding territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied area Central Spiš is located in Rudòany - Gelnica area, which is according to environmental regionalization included in the environmentally loaded and unhealthy areas in Slovakia. As a result of long and intensive mining and processing of minerals, the area is polluted with heavy metals and the landscape was altered by extensive anthropogenic forms. In the context of mining activity, surface water acts as a transport medium of pollution, thus expanding the area of the impact of old mining activities on the environment. The work is focused on the evaluation of qualitative parameters of surface water with the emphasis on heavy metals and physicochemical properties, on the example of the Slovinsky potok creek. The biggest source of pollution of the Slovinsky potok creek is the water flowing from mining works. Experimental work was carried out in 2010, 2011 and 2017 on five sampling points that were selected to map the entire length of the watercourse. A sample analysis was carried out directly at the sampling points, in the Laboratory of Environmental Analyses of the Department of Environmental Management of the University of Prešov in Prešov and in an accredited reference laboratory of the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic. The pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, conductivity, resistivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, flow rate and heavy metals (As, Cu, Fe, Cd) were monitored and evaluated. The obtained data were processed statistically using the Statistica 13 software. The level of the significance between water parameters was calculated using Pearson s correlation coefficient. The research has shown that the concentration of As is increased in the long run at the site where surface water flows from the mining galley. Statistical correlations between physical and chemical parameters were confirmed by statistical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of selected (trace) elements and nitrate along the 26.7 km long Radonja River (Croatia) was examined with the purpose of testing the ability for small rivers to serve as a model for identification of sources and dispersion of common environmental contaminants. The Radonja River rises and flows through specific geological region of the Petrova Gora Mt. (507 m a.s.l.). It is located in the middle part of Croatia, with the Vojnić town (~5,000 inhabit.) as the largest settlement along the whole river course. Two sampling campaigns, covering high and low water flow, were conducted at 13 sampling locations. Concentrations of 23 elements in filtered and unfiltered samples were analysed using HR ICP-MS, while second campaign included also analysis of nitrates. Concentrations of most elements were higher during second sampling campaign in both fractions, when water level was low. Concentrations of majority of elements significantly increased downstream of Vojnić town, whose industrial and sewage waters are discharged into the river. In the whole lower river course concentrations of those elements remained high, indicating significant anthropogenic influence, and absence of self-purification process. However, there are some exceptions like Fe and Mn, whose concentrations are highest in the uppermost part of the river in the Petrova Gora Mt. and are caused by rock composition and ore occurrences in this mountain. Concentrations of nitrates in the uppermost part of the river, which is almost uninhabited, are very low (<0.5 mgL-1). Downstream Vojnić town they increase to over 3.5 mgL-1 and remain approximate at this value up to confluence with Korana River. Nitrates served as a very good tracer to identify Vojnić town and other downstream smaller, mostly agricultural settlements as pollution sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is considering anthropogenic and natural pollution, which leads to a change in global temperature. The article also talks about the Greenhouse effect and global climate change. The average global temperatures can fluctuate within years and even decades, for different natural reasons. The article analyses how the world pollution leads to a change in the global average temperature. The aim is to create a model that will show us the relations between the changes in global average temperature with the pollution of the natural habitat. ADL-model (autoregressive distributed lags model) was chosen as the theoretical model, in which the current row values depend both on the previous values of this row and on the current and previous values of different time rows. Eight different variables were chosen as exogenous variables, which characterize the pollution of the natural habitat and influence the change of the global temperature: Methane emissions (kt of CO2 equivalent); Nitrous oxide emissions (thousand metric tons of CO2 equivalent); Greenhouse Gas Emissions (tonnes of CO2 equivalent); CO2 Emissions from the Consumption and Flaring of Fossil Fuels (tonnes); Waste Generated by Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply (tonnes); Waste Generated by Households (tonnes). Primary statistical data on endogenous and exogenous variables was gathered from different countries for period of time between 1998 and 2015. Endogenous and exogenous parameters for global economy based on primary statistical data which were determined as countries' compound ratio indexes in year t. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyze the deforestation process from Mehedinţi, Dolj and Olt counties, three of the most important counties in the southwestern part of Romania. We should consider the big challenge (as a global phenomenon of aridization) that the humanity must fight and manage, at the beginning of the 21st century. Evolution of deforestation process in the study area shows a continuous increase, because the high demand for wood mass and timber in industry and exports. The methods used to analyze the evolution of deforestation are based on LANDSAT 7ETM+ images, provided by the Department of Geographical Sciences, Maryland University, United States of America. In this study we managed the quantification through GIS and statistic models of the degree of deforestation, in the period 2000 - 2012, in the changes occurred in forest areas affected by aridity processes. The coherent management strategies for deforestation implies a strong decision process for the efficient environmental and economic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased and chaotic urbanization, along with the rapid population growth led to its concentration in areas exposed to risk phenomena being the result of the combination of parameters related to the physical, socio-cultural and economic conditions. Population concentration in a densely populated area requires good supervision and monitoring systems to avoid potential problems. Through a centrally located population and goods, the sensitivity of buildings and infrastructure increased in Floresti. Spatial-temporal development of the commune, especially the village Floresti, drew attention because it has led to of a multitude of geographical changes, changes which have a destructive magnitude for the study area. Thus, by identifying and analysing, based on the temporal and predisposing factors, the anthropogenic and natural changes together with the elements of risk and the areas characterised by vulnerability, it was highlighted the existing problems and why it is important to consider how the evolution of communities can be influenced by the landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is the problem in determining the background of urban area in estimation of the contribution of large enterprises in the air pollution. In this study, a statistical approach was used to evaluate the anthropogenic geochemical background using the method of moss-biomonitors. The concentrations of elements from natural origins effect large remote sources and many surface sources (e.g., dust, traffic, mini-boilers), can be described as normal or lognormal distribution. In this case, the mean ± 2 standard deviation can be used for anthropogenic geochemical background for the calculation of this area. This method was applied in an urban area (Tomsk, Russia) for the epiphytic moss Pylaisia polyanth, which has a high accumulating capacity. The moss was collected in 2011 and was taken from the bark of poplars at a height of 1.5 ... 2 meters above the ground. The concentrations of 21 chemical elements were determined by neutron activation analysis at the research reactor of the Tomsk Polytechnic University (Russia.) The hypothesis of normal distribution was tested with the χ² criterion. All the chemical elements except cobalt ranges of concentrations were determined using normal or lognormal distribution. Calcium concentrations had a bimodal distribution. Calculated anthropogenic background concentrations were compared to natural concentrations obtained from the moss collected in remote areas from settlements (more than 100 km away.) Natural concentrations of chemical elements were either below or within the range of the mean value ± 2σ. The effect of region's power station leads to the exceedance of up to 8 times more in concentrations of Ce, Eu, Fe, Yb and up to 10 times of Br, Cs over anthropogenic the background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of satellite and contact monitoring of socioeconomic processes in the coastal zone of the Sea of Azov to evaluate their impact on the land use. Analysis of changes in land use is based on satellite data from Landsat 5, 7 and 8. To assess the dynamics of natural and anthropogenic landscapes satellite images for the years 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015 are used. Interpretation of satellite images is carried out in several stages, in each of those some specific surface types are highlighted. Each stage is based on spectral properties of various surfaces and their display features in different spectral channels. For example, to highlight vegetation and attribute it to classes distribution analysis and seasonal dynamics of the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) is used. As a result of the interpretation land use schemes for different shooting dates are produced. Based on their comparison areas with the greatest changes are highlighted, which are selected as a polygon for contact monitoring. The results of satellite and contact monitoring results are summarized in a geographic information system (GIS) where they are compared and analyzed jointly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied locality is situated close to the Deserted Castle, near the Zvolen city, in the central part of Slovakia. Locality called Drahy attracted us by various anthropogenic relief forms that are primarily related to significant medieval settlements. The object of our research is a system of hollow ways on the northern and eastern foothills of the mountain massif of the castle hill. The system of hollow ways belongs to the historic roads that are located in the forest landscape around the Deserted Castle. We mapped by GNSS about 50 km of historic roads in the field. Near the area covered with hollow ways is a defensive rampart with a ditch (7th-8th century AD). Problematic factor in the field measurement and evaluation of anthropogenic relief parameters is the position of the studied area in the forest landscape. The locality is covered with broad-leaved trees with high stand density and stands have compact canopy of tree crowns. Forest stands prevented researchers to have an overview in a broader perspective on the investigated territory in the fieldwork in comparison with non-forested areas. Materials of air digital photogrammetry (ADP) and remote sensing (RS) provide a comprehensive overview on landforms. The system of hollow ways in the forest landscape was identified by modern air contactless methods of large-scale mapping - airborne laser scanning (ALS) (Riegl LMS Q680i). Data were collected under the canopy of tree crowns at a density point 2 clouds 5 points per m and by air digital photogrammetry (Ultracam Xp) with a geometric resolution 10 cm. Then we determined the morphometric data of hollow ways and elaborated their longitudinal and transverse profiles. These results were confronted with the reference data obtained from the fieldwork. Results of the presented contactless methods were compared in terms of their application in the winter and summer vegetation aspects. On the example of representative profiles we compared the accuracy of contactless methods and we reconsidered possibility of measuring and evaluation of their quantitative parameters. Based on the results of mapping historical linear objects in the forest landscape, we expect a wider usability of modern air contactless methods (ALS and ADP) in archaeological research. These modern methods are suitable for data processing in larger territorial units. Previously, such a research was difficult in terms of the fieldwork done by terrestrial measurements, although it was carried out by modern geodetic methods and instruments (electronic tachymeter or GNSS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colca Valley located in southern Peru which forms one of the deepest canyon of the Word is the region of unquestionable nature values. The main goal of the study was to elaborate a complex assessment of the geodiversity the central part of this valley, using the multi-criterial, bonitation-parametric method. The following elements of abiotic environment were analysed: morphology, geological setting and waters. The relief analyse was made by describing types of natural landscape; morphologic landform, variability of relative heights and anthropogenic transformations. Presentation of the geology was elaborated with emphasis on lithology, tectonic and volcanogenic structures, presence and possibility of observing active geologic processes. By hydrosphere evaluation: streams; lakes, highland wets, waterfalls, springs, including springs of thermal waters and geysers were analyzed. All geotopes identified during the field work, were assessed and ranked (bonitation). The assessment, involving 3 groups of criteria: scientific values, use values and additional values. Such type complex geotope assessment of the Colca Valley seems to be the first one. Large number of specific criteria allowed to identify the most valuable criteria as well as to provide a wide-ranging assessment of geodiversity. The results of the study show the richness of geodiversity of Colca Valley region connected with its unique landscape values. The region is even more appealing as active geological processes can be observed here easily. Additionally the fame and interest associated with the canyon as well as possibility of watching here the condors, make this region particularly outstanding.The author expresses her hope that the presented results will provide some arguments for the protection of geological heritage of described region, giving the scientific base for future creation here the Colca Canyon Geopark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC) is to achieve or to establish and maintain the "good environmental status" (GES) until 2020. The Black Sea is one of the fourth marine regions assigned for implementing the MSFD through two countries and EU Member States: Romania and Bulgaria. Through the MSFD Guiding Improvements in the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring System (MISIS Project), for the Romanian waters were defined and delimited the types of the seawater. Using the short and long-term data analysis of the physical parameters (temperature and salinity from available data since 1955 - 2012), the main features of the western Black Sea water bodies was characterized. In addition, the corresponding salinity of water bodies in the western Black Sea were evaluated, using the grid points 0.5° x 0.5°, calculating for each quarter from the corresponding number of measured data: the mean, standard deviation and the coefficient of variation. Based on the physical parameters, the degree of anthropogenic impact, chlorophyll-a concentration, bathymetry etc., four categories of the Romanian Black Sea waters types were identified: RO-TT03 - the northern part, marine waters under the direct influence of the Danube, at depths of at least 30 m; RO-CT01 - the marine waters from the central to the southern area (Portita down to Vama Veche), from the baseline to 30 m isobath; RO- MT01 - that corresponds to the inner and the outer shelf marine area from the 30 m to the 100 m isobaths and RO-MT02 - the perimeter for the type of offshore seawater located at depths of at least 100 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At European level, one of the methods indicated and supported by law consists in ecological reconstruction by afforestation of degraded lands. Also, forest vegetation is recommended for the protection of a special category of lands. More often than not, putting this into practice is difficult, and the complete success of a certain action is conditioned by its efficient organizational management. It is worth noting that considerable expense is involved in installing forest vegetation, starting from land preparation for planting and going to tree consolidation, especially on lands degraded by human actions, where the risk of compromising the vegetation is very high. In addition, it is impossible to give general and complete technical solutions regarding the installation and maintenance of forest cultures, as it is impossible to give any guarantees for their effectiveness. Still, many projects of this sort have enjoyed real success, with degraded lands reinstated into the productive circuit. Thus, the observations made in these locations, for forest crops already installed, can offer local and particularized solutions and valuable information to the managers of similar projects. The area under analysis is approximately determined by coordinates 44o54'08'' - 45o10'23'' north and 21o47'15'' - 21o58'43'' east, in production unit III Steierdorf, Semenic Mountains, Romania. The production unit covers the upper Minis valley, and the total surface of the land, on land use categories, according to the records in 2003, is 190.1 ha. We identified mine dumps, and in the neighbourhood of our research areas, the soils were cambisols with two subtypes, according to the Romanian Soil Taxonomy System. Of this land, 63.5 ha is degraded land, 7.6 ha are not productive, 2.6 ha are represented by forested slopes, 116.4 are covered by forests, and 64.2 ha represent land to be afforested. In terms of climate, the average temperatures in winter range from -17o C to 4.8o C, and in summer are between 12o C and 18o C. The unit comprises stations that have not been affected by degradation, covered by forest vegetation specific for hills and mountains, but also an area that has strongly been affected by degradation generated by human activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating cultural route serve to support specific cultural, industrial or other kind of excellence, its protection and assistance for its development. Culture, used technology, or change in environmental conditions through the human intervention is a process of transformation in timeline. In a case of emerging subculture: eco-village, we can follow birth of new community units across the planet on the same natural and pro-ecological principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Banat Plain is currently exposed to multiple pressures associated to anthropogenic environmental changes, climate change related signals and extreme events with significant impact at local scale (floods, storms, hail). All these factors are jeopardizing the livelihoods of the local communities. Recently, a participatory assessment of the exposure to the above mentioned stressors was carried out, in a broader framework, focused on assessing the vulnerability of human communities to environmental change and extreme events in the Banat Plain. The research, conducted in May 2013, directly involved local stakeholders, through a questionnaire-based survey, applied in about 100 households from 15 villages, and through structured interviews with local decision makers. Results showed that local people perceive landscape changes as consequences of human intervention and of socio-economic changes produced after the collapse of the communist regime, in 1989 (e.g. the emergence of agricultural associations; degradation of drainage infrastructure; and upgrading settlements as a result of financial investments). Regarding the awareness of exposure to floods, the local population does not perceive flooding as a significant threat to the region, although the most recent event occurred 9 years ago. This attitude is highly harmful in terms of individual adaptation to flooding and it can be explained by the sense of security offered by institutional measures implemented post-event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum of possible scenarios that happen within an urban areas ranges from micro-level interactions between the citizens to the large-scale processes, such as flooding, fire, traffic jam and urban development. Since micro- and macro-levels of the city environment are inevitably interconnected, the integrated system that couples models of different scales with data and visualization facilities is a subject of interest for modern urban planners. Present work proposes a description of such system together with selection of scenarios that was developed within it. System is supporting by data aggregation and visualization tools and includes agent-based society model and urban- planning model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study is to develop an appropriate method for analyzing and quantifying the territorial expansion of built-up area in the administrative territory of Bistriţa subcarpathian Valley, a well populated region. The area under study has high favorability in terms of housing due to its contact geographical unit position and access to natural resources. Analyzing spatio-temporal dynamics of built-up area is essential for understanding and assessing the consequences of anthropogenic pressure on the environment. The methodology was mainly achieved through GIS techniques, by using relevant cartographic documents covering a period of more than 200 years. As a particular method we created a system of matrices (focalsum) which divide the areas affected by changes into equal size squares in order to highlight the density of these changes. The study was conducted through a systemic approach, aiming to analyze the connections between the territorial expansion and the environmental components which constituted key factors to its dynamics. The results showed a continuous and rapid expansion of built-up area, with different growth patterns depending on the socio-economic factors, which represented the dominant driving factors of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]