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The Western Balkans (WB) region is highly prone to water erosion processes, and therefore, the estimation of rainfall erosivity (R-factor) is essential for understanding the complex relationships between hydro-meteorological factors and soil erosion processes. The main objectives of this study are to (1) estimate the spatial-temporal distribution R-factor across the WB region by applying the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methodology with data for the period between 1991 and 2020 and (2) apply cluster analysis to identify places of high erosion risk, and thereby offer a means of targeting suitable mitigation measures. To assess R-factor variability, the ERA5 reanalysis hourly data (0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution) comprised 390 grid points were used. The calculations were made on a decadal resolution (i.e., for the 1990s, the 2000s, and the 2010s), as well as for the whole study period (1991–2020). In order to reveal spatial patterns of rainfall erosivity, a k-means clustering algorithm was applied. Visualization and mapping were performed in python using the Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Cartopy libraries. Hourly precipitation intensity and monthly precipitation totals exhibited pronounced variability over the study area. High precipitation values were observed in the SW with a >0.3 mm h−1 average, while the least precipitation was seen in the Pannonian Basin and far south (Albanian coast), where the mean intensity was less than an average of 0.1 mm h−1. R-factor variability was very high for both the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methods. The mean R-factor calculated by RUSLE2 was 790 MJ mm ha−1·h−1·yr−1, which is 58% higher than the mean R-factor obtained from RUSLE (330 MJ mm ha−1·h−1·yr−1). The analysis of the R-factor at decadal timescales suggested a rise of 14% in the 2010s. The k-means algorithm for both the RUSLE and RUSLE2 methods implies better spatial distribution in the case of five clusters (K = 5) regarding the R-factor values. The rainfall erosivity maps presented in this research can be seen as useful tools for the assessment of soil erosion intensity and erosion control works, especially for agriculture and land use planning. Since the R-factor is an important part of soil erosion models (RUSLE and RUSLE2), the results of this study can be used as a guide for soil control works, landscape modeling, and suitable mitigation measures on a regional scale.

A normalized difference vegetation index provides local forest managers with much essential annual information about the forest inventory. This article evaluates the possible use of NDVI and CORINE Land Cover databases for better forest management in the municipalities of Kursumlija and Topola in Serbia. The forest areas obtained using CLC were up to 11.5% larger than the official forest area estimates, whereas NDVI gave more precise results. This is of a crucial importance for preventing illegal logging, which is very prevalent in southern Serbian municipalities, which have substantial forested territory. NDVI is very promising for Serbia and also for countries that rarely carry out national forest inventories. This method can also easily be applied to other Balkan countries with a similar situation regarding local forest management.

This paper analyzes the impact of planning and designing large power systems on the environment, such as the DSP 400 kV optical cable from the Montenegrin coast to Pljevlja. It is a very complex and multidisciplinary project, and involves the analysis of a number of important factors and cause-effect relationships that such a system can produce. The analysis was guided by the fact that this is an atypical example, from the planned and implemented aspect unknown both on the national and wider regional level. For this reason, it is challenging to shed light on the consequences of any such system and structure, which is specific in many ways, and whose repercussions in the near future are still vague. The paper discussed European and international experiences as well as their perceptions of problems with similar solutions in practice. / В работе представлен анализ планирования и проектиро- вания крупных электроэнергетических систем и прогноз возде- йствия на окружающую среду по проекту: «Детальный ланд- шафтный план (ДЛП) 400 кВ и волоконно-оптические линии свя- зи от Черногорского побережья до г. Плевле. В статье применяется комплексный междисциплинарный анализ ряда релевантных факторов, а также приведен прогноз причинно-следственных связей при эксплуатации энергосистем. Анализ основывается на том, что данный пример атипи- чен, как в аспекте планирования, так и в аспекте выполнения, а на национальном и региональном уровне недостаточно исследо- ван. Поэтому считаем особо важным пролить свет на послед- ствия строительства энергоустановки и ее эксплуатации, не- стандартной во многих вопросах, которые в настоящий мо- мент сложно предусмотреть. В работе также представлены подобные, воплощенные в жизнь, проекты за рубежом и обсуждаются позиции зарубежных специалистов по данному вопросу, основанные на практическом опыте. / U radu se analizira uticaj planiranja i projektovanja velikih elektroenergetskih sistema na životnu sredinu, kao što je Detaljni prostorni plan (DPP) postavljanja 400 kV optičkog kabla od Crnogorskog primorja do Pljevalja. To predstavlja vrlo kompleksan i multidisciplinaran posao i podrazumeva analizu niza bitnih faktora, kao i uzročnoposledičnih veza koje jedan takav sistem može proizvesti. U analizi se rukovodilo činjenicom da se radi o atipičnom primeru, s planerskog i izvedbenog aspekta nepoznatog na nacionalnom, ali i širem regionalnom nivou. Zbog toga je bilo potrebno rasvetliti posledice jednog ovakog sistema i konstrukcije, koji je specifičan po mnogo čemu, i čije se reperkusije u bližoj budućnosti tek mogu nazreti. U istraživanju su razmatrana evropska i svetska iskustva, i njihova percepcija posmatranja problema sa sličnim rešenjima u praksi.

Lead distribution and immobilization in cultivated soils in Rudovci, Serbia was investigated. Sampling was carried out by the method recommended by ICP-Forests Manual, 2006, Part III Sampling and analysis of Soil. The sampling geometry was systematically designed with a random component. The maximum sampling depth was 100 cm and lead distribution was monitored during 425 days. First sample was taken after 50 days and every single next sample was taken after 50 days except for the last sample which was taken after 25 days. Before the profile contamination, physical and chemical soil analysis has been done. The cation exchange capacity of the soil was done because media affect mobility cations (anions) in soil. The effect of immobilizations of Pb is highest in the second horizons where the depth of investigating soil is 25-50 cm.

Atlasi i GIS važni su elementi prikaza modela životnog prostora. U radu je predstavljen model upotrebe GIS tehnologije u izradi određenih elemenata atlasnih karata. To podrazumeva definisanje osnovnih matematičkih elemenata karata digitalnog atlasa i mogućih struktura i formi baza prostornih podataka. Geografski elementi atlasnih karata, pretprocesiranje u GIS i strukturiranje karata digitalnog atlasa podržano GIS-om čine osnovne teme rada. Naglašava se mesto GIS tehnologije u procesu izrade atlasnih karata sa dva aspekta. Jedan aspekt predstavlja okvir geografskih informacionih sistema i mogućnosti koje pružaju, a drugi aspekt predstavljaju kartografske metode, odnosno sistem kartografskih metoda u čijem okruženju se izrađuju atlasne karte. / Besides geographic maps, atlases represent the most important cartographic models of environment. Nowadays, contemporary geographic information systems (GIS)are increasingly used ' in planning, designing and predicting the conditions and processes of complex dynamic spatial systems. Collecting data and information for a specific geographical map and GIS represents its basis.

This paper proposes an appropriate methodology for ecological risk assessment. The methodology has been applied in the region of Boka Kotorska Bay (Bay), Montenegro. The emphasis of the research is on the analysis of the impact of various stressors on the ecological components of Bay. The consequences of that impact can be seen in an increased level of eutrophication of water environment, mostly through the influence of nitrogen and its compounds. The actual research at/about the region of Boka Kotorska Bay was performed in the period of 2008. The study emphasized the importance of the acquisition, processing and analysis of various ecologically related data for more efficient monitoring and management of the environment. The suggested methodology of the ecological risk assessment is, therefore, a remarkable scientific and expert contribution in the area of environmental protection in our country and in general.

Successful protection of environment is mostly based on high-quality assessment of potential and present risks. Environmental risk management is a complex process which includes: identification, assessment and control of risk, namely taking measures in order to minimize the risk to an acceptable level. Environmental risk management methodology: In addition to these phases in the management of environmental risk, appropriate measures that affect the reduction of risk occurrence should be implemented: - normative and legal regulations (laws and regulations), - appropriate organizational structures in society, and - establishing quality monitoring of environment. The emphasis is placed on the application of assessment methodologies (three-model concept), as the most important aspect of successful management of environmental risk. Risk assessment methodology - European concept: The first concept of ecological risk assessment methodology is based on the so-called European model-concept. In order to better understand this ecological risk assessment methodology, two concepts - hazard and risk - are introduced. The European concept of environmental risk assessment has the following phases in its implementation: identification of hazard (danger), identification of consequences (if there is hazard), estimate of the scale of consequences, estimate of consequence probability and risk assessment (also called risk characterization). The European concept is often used to assess risk in the environment as a model for addressing the distribution of stressors along the source - path - receptor line. Risk assessment methodology - Canadian concept: The second concept of the methodology of environmental risk assessment is based on the so-called Canadian model-concept. The assessment of ecological risk includes risk arising from natural events (floods, extreme weather conditions, etc.), technological processes and products, agents (chemical, biological, radiological, etc.) and industrial activities that may pose threats to ecosystems, flora, fauna and humans. This model-concept gives a three-phase assessment where the assessor tries to determine whether a specific place may be subject to assessment, to characterize the level of risk and to confirm or refute the findings of the first phase, collecting information and corrective measures, or to establish basic requirements for environment protection. Risk assessment methodology - American concept: The third methodological approach to environmental risk assessment is developed by the U.S. Agency for Environmental Protection, 'U.S. EPA'. This model primarily involves the implementation of environmental risk assessment under the conditions of anthropogenic impact on environment, without aiming at solving problems of natural environmental risks, although this methodology can be applied in this environment segment as well. The methodology gives a clear distinction between a scientific (phase of estimation) and a non-scientific (planning) part of assessment. The phases of estimation given by this model are: problem formulation, risk analysis and risk characterization. Conclusion: Concepts and methodologies of all three models-concepts of assessment are mostly reduced to a common goal: how to reduce existing or avoid potential risks. However, it should be noted that the implementation of appropriate management and ecological risk assessment does not guarantee that risks will be avoided or that the implementation of these processes will be successful.

In this paper, the impacts of some meteorological parameters on the SO2 concentrations in the City of Obrenovac are presented. The City of Obrenovac is located in the north-west part of Serbia on the banks of the River Sava. The observed source emission, the power plants TENT A and B are situated on the bank of the Sava River in the vicinity of Obrenovac. During the period from January to November 2006, the concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the air at 4 monitoring sites in Obrenovac were measured. It was noticed that the maximal measured daily concentrations of sulfur dioxide ranged from 1 μg m-3 (16th November, 2006) to 98 μg m-3 (29th January 2006) and lie under the maximal allowed concentration value according to the Serbian Law on Environmental Protection. The measured sulfur dioxide concentrations mostly showed characteristics usual for a daily acidification sulfur dioxide cycle, excluding the specificities influenced by the measuring site itself. Sulfur dioxide transport was recorded at increased wind speeds, primarily from the southeast direction. Based on the impact of meteorological parameters on the sulfur dioxide concentration, a validation of the monitoring sites was also performed from the aspect of their representivity.