Slobodan Markovic

• Prof.
• Professor (Full) at University of Novi Sad

This study inventories, classifies, and evaluates the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia, categorizing key features into four main groups: (1) river basins, including rivers and waterfalls; (2) springs, classified as karst and thermal; (3) natural lakes, subdivided into tectonic, glacial, landslide, denudation, and karst types; and (4) marshe...

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 transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM)) were used to gain insight into t...

The Loveland paratype section contains valuable records of the climatic conditions during glacial and interglacial periods across the midcontinent of North America. Previous studies have focused on developing chronological data for the last glacial period, and only a few studies have reported ages for older loess units. Therefore, the aim of this s...

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...

In this paper, we present the case of hail prevention policy in Serbia for over 50 years from 1967 to the present. We analyze the evolution of official hail prevention policy from the perspective of evidence-based policymaking and science-policy interaction, assuming that scientific evidence contributes to policy through problem definition, the app...

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...

This study presents the trend analysis for a specific category of variables, namely the average annual precipitation. The geospatial distribution of the obtained results in Central Serbia is visualized using Geographic Information System (GIS) numerical analysis. The primary objective of this study is to identify potential changes in the trends of...

The subject of the research paper is the exploration of the potential of remote sensing techniques for enhanced spatio-temporal monitoring and analysis of drought impacts within the Sana River basin area in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The aim is to identify meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socioeconomic drought occurrences by proce...

The main goal of this study is to find out if there are any differences between Grašac wines from two different locations of the Fruška Gora Mountain and to further explore why these differences (if they exist) occur. To achieve this, we selected one vineyard in Sremski Karlovci and one in Neštin where we have analyzed the topography features, soil...

This study assesses the potential for nature-based tourism (NBT) in Mavrovo and Šar Planina National Parks in North Macedonia, utilizing the Geosite Potential (G-P) method to evaluate geosites. The research incorporates methodologies from key researchers, and integrates a range of criteria to assess scientific value (SV), educational potential use...

In this study, the soil CO2 emission was analysed at the level II ICP Forests monitoring plot in Serbia in the pedunculate oak forest. Two plots of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were selected for this study. The main question was to determine the differences in the impact of management (human impact) on CO2 emission. Different time periods wer...

Enhancing resilience against seismic hazards in earthquake-prone regions is essential for reducing the devastating impacts of disasters. Seismic resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from earthquake impacts, while preparedness gaps are the areas where current measures are insufficient to effectively respond to or mitig...

Sokobanja is a well-known spa centre in East Serbia, whose popularity is mostly based on its natural heritage (thermo-mineral springs, waterfalls, canyons, caves, and pits). However, built heritage also offers significant potential for developing geotourism. This article aims to assess the geoheritage values of the geocultural site Sokograd fortres...

Recently, it has been proposed that the luminescence sensitivity of quartz grains, i.e. their luminescence response to unit dose, might be used for sediment fingerprinting. Sensitivity is determined both by the origin of quartz grains and the sedimentary processes they underwent. However, a more detailed understanding of the factors influencing sen...

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of flash flood susceptibility in the Kratovska Reka catchment area of Northeastern North Macedonia, integrating Geographic Information System, remote sensing, and field survey data. Key factors influencing flash flood dynamics, including Slope, Lithology, Land use, and Vegetation index, were investigated...

The subject of the research represents the application of remote sensing in monitoring land degradation in the municipality of Stanari in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The aim of the study is to identify spatial changes during the research period (2017–2023) by processing remote sensing “products.” Within the changes in land use, the focus is place...

This dataset offers valuable insights into the luminescence saturation behaviour of 63-90 µm quartz grains sourced from the Carpathian Basin, as examined under controlled laboratory conditions. Its significance lies not only in shedding light on the luminescence properties specific to this region but also in facilitating comparative analyses with q...

This study presents a detailed investigation of the Kisiljevo loess-palaeosol sequence in northeastern Serbia, offering a refined understanding of its paleoenvironmental dynamics. Contrasting our updated OSL chronology with a previous study, reveals discrepancies, particularly at 400 cm depth, where a considerable age underestimation is evident. Wh...

We present data on molluscan fauna within the L3 loess unit (and partially within the S3 paleosol) from the key loess section of Veliki Surduk in Serbia. The section correlates to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 8 and late MIS 9 and, thus, spans the time frame from ~350 to 250 ka. The Veliki Surduk loess–paleosol sequence (LPS) is located on the northwe...

Purpose Particle size distribution (PSD) assessment, which affects all physical, chemical, biological, mineralogical, and geological properties of soil, is crucial for maintaining soil sustainability. It plays a vital role in ensuring appropriate land use, fertilizer management, crop selection, and conservation practices, especially in fragile soil...

This article presents a new Urban Geoheritage Assessment Model (UGAM) for the tourism potential of urban geoheritage. The model was applied to the well-known archaeological site Felix Romuliana (Serbia), so as to determine if the site has the potential to become an urban geosite. To support the UGAM model, a mineralogical-petrographical examination...

The Deliblato (Banat) Sand Sea, which is one of the largest areas of аeolian sand in Europe, is located near the Iron Gate, which marks the crossing of the Danube River through the biggest gorge of this river. Here, Danubian alluvium has served as the sand source for the Banat Sand Sea, which was formed primarily through southeasterly (Košava) wind...

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) brought a big step forward in the research of landform processes. TLS enables detailed, precise and accurate representation of terrain and all other natural or manmade structures. For this study, the badlands with earth figures of Đavolja Varoš geosite were scanned and modelled with the help of TLS, areal photogramm...

This study explores and compares the predictive capabilities of various ensemble algorithms, including SVM, KNN, RF, XGBoost, ANN, DT, and LR, for assessing flood susceptibility (FS) in the Houz plain of the Moroccan High Atlas. The inventory map of past flooding was prepared using binary data from 2012 events, where “1” indicates a flood-prone are...

This comprehensive study investigates the intricate interplay between geodiversity, geohazards, and anthropogenic influences within the Kratovska Reka catchment—an area distinguished by its remarkable geosites. Kratovska Reka, spanning a length of 17.3 km, serves as the left tributary to Kriva Reka. The watershed of Kratovska Reka, covering an area...

In February 1963, a huge landslide (ca. 1,950,000 m³) blocked the Visočica River and, thus, formed Zavoj Lake. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the importance of snowmelt in relation to landslide occurrence and to define the critical climatic conditions that may trigger massive winter landslides. We used monthly precipitati...

In February 1963, a huge landslide (ca. 1,950,000 m3) blocked the Visočica River and, thus, formed Zavoj Lake. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the importance of snowmelt in relation to landslide occurrence and to define the critical climatic conditions that may trigger massive winter landslides. We used monthly precipitati...

The regional loess stratigraphy in the Vojvodina region, in the southeastern Carpathian Basin, has often been successfully correlated to the global palaeoclimate. This is a quasi‐continuous sedimentary record that provides detailed environmental reconstruction during the last four glacial/interglacial cycles. In this study, we present a standardize...

The use of loess as a resource for paleoclimatic research is quite well established. In Serbia, a significant number of loess sequences have been preserved in old brickyards. The results of the previously conducted research indicate extremely valuable data that enable a better understanding of the mid-to late Pleistocene climatic evolution in this...

Alterations in land use across river basins cause modifications in hydrological responses, tendencies in soil erosion intensity and the characteristics of sediment dynamics. Often these changes are identified as the primary catalyst behind increased rates of erosion intensity. This research examines the impact of land use changes on soil erosion pr...

This research aims to depict the characteristics and causal factors influencing the Mramor creep landslide, typically found in Neogene formations in southern Serbia, especially along the left bank of the South Morava River. Given that this particular landslide has been active for more than 70 years and covers an area of approximately 1 km², it dire...

Kratovska Reka is a short (17.3 km) left tributary of Kriva Reka, whose watershed (68.5 km 2) is located on the north-western slopes of the Osogovo Mountains (North Macedonia). Due to the favourable natural conditions and anthropogenic factors, the Kratovska Reka catchment is under a high risk of natural hazards, especially water erosion and landsl...

Alterations in land use across the world in all river basins bring about shifts in hydrologic response, soil erosion, and sediment dynamics attributes. Such transformations are frequently perceived as the primary drivers of accelerated erosion rates. Study area of this paper is represented as Visočica river basin, Eastern Serbia, with ending point...

The North Atlantic jet stream (NAJ) has a profound impact on the climate of the North Atlantic−European sector, especially in winter. Observations show that the winter NAJ (NAJw) has strengthened over the past ∼140 yr. However, it remains unclear whether this long-term trend has deviated from the natural variability. Here, we present a 2500-yr-long...

In light of recent studies projecting a potential increase in water-induced soil erosion (ranging from 30% to 66% by 2070) and due to future land use and climate changes, there is a pressing need for new research to enhance our understanding of the primary driving factors behind soil erosion. This necessity is particularly pronounced in under-resea...

The following papers of the EXtremeClimTwin members have been presented at the International conference on transboundary catchment erosion and pollution problems: Lukić T. et al. EVALUATION OF RAINFALL EROSIVITY IN THE SE EUROPE Leščešen I., Basarin B. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH DANUBE RIVER DISCHARGE? Leščešen I., Petrović, M.A. FREQUENCY ANALYSIS...

Kratovska Reka is a short (17.3 km) left tributary of Kriva Reka, whose watershed (68.5 km²) is located on the northwestern slopes of the Osogovo Mountains (North Macedonia). Due to the favorable natural conditions and anthropogenic factors, the Kratovska Reka catchment is under a high risk of natural hazards, especially water erosion and landslide...

Widespread and frequent droughts have affected most parts of Europe over recent years, but it remains unclear when this synchronous drying trend began and how it has been influenced by anthropogenic forcing. Here we reconstruct and explore the history of drought in southern Europe over the past 300 years using an annual record of tree-ring oxygen i...

Accurate estimation of the cover-management (C) factor is essential for predicting soil erosion rates, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and designing effective soil conservation strategies. The C-factor value for a particular land-cover type is the weighted average of those soil loss ratios and ranges between 0 and 1. It...

n this study we present an in-depth description of the colorimetric values for the lowest section of the Dukatar Loess Palaeosol Sequence (LPS) pedocomplex S5. Formed during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13-15, it represents the oldest pedocomplex exposed at the base of the Titel loess plateau (TLP), near the confluence of the Tisa and Danube rive...

This article presents a taxonomy and represents a repository of open problems in computing for numerically and logically intensive problems in a number of disciplines that have to synergize for the best performance of simulation-based feasibility studies on nature-oriented engineering in general and civil engineering in particular. Topics include b...

Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions, particularly drought and floods. It is also caused by human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility. It negatively affects food production and ecosystem goods and services. Land degradation has accelerated during the 20th and 21st c...

In this study, the compiled malacological record of the two most important loess–palaeosol sequences (LPS) in Serbia was used to reconstruct the Malacothermometer July Paleotemperature (MTJP) of the last nine glacials. The sieved loess samples yielded shells of 11 terrestrial gastropod species that were used to estimate the MTJP. Veliki Surduk (cov...

Typical patterns of the Late Pleistocene loess–paleosol units are preserved in the Novo Orahovo brickyard, Northern Serbia. Presented preliminary luminescence chronology supports the chronostratigraphic interpretations of global isotopic marine climate reconstructions. Magnetic susceptibility and sedimentological evidence exhibit general similariti...

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...

Optically stimulated luminescence dating is widely used for establishing high-resolution chronologies for the Quaternary in paleoclimate research. Loess is an important archive of past climate changes on continents. In order to provide a first absolute chronology for Zemun loess paleosol sequence in Serbia, the single-aliquot-regenerative dose (SAR...

In this study, a systematic comparison of the magnetic properties of the Xifeng loess in northern China and the Titel loess in northern Serbia was conducted. This comparison was performed to identify the causes of the different ranges of magnetic susceptibility (χlf) enhancements from loess units to paleosol units between the two regions. Ultimatel...

This paper explores the current state and the perspectives of sustainable Cave Tourism development of show caves in Serbia. The results of the research were determined through the application of the newly developed methodology—Show Cave Assessment Model (SCAM). The obtained results of the research indicate shortcomings in terms of the protection of...

The main goal of this study is to emphasise the geotourism potential and the values of geoethics as drivers of rural development in the territory of the Knjaževac municipality, which is one of the richest areas in Serbia in terms of geoheritage. Numerous objects of geomorphological and hydrological heritage stand out in an area of 1,202 km2. Despit...

In some areas of the world, regional climate change is in good agreement with global climate change. This study brings new information about what defines climate change in the contact area of Adriatic Sea and Southeastern Europe, and conclusions are based on trend analysis of annual and seasonal temperatures in the southern and southeastern parts o...

In this article, a dataset of age-depth modelling data, sedimentation rates and dust mass accumulation rates (MAR) from four loess-palaeosol sequences from the Carpathian Basin is presented. The dataset is related to the article “Detailed luminescence dating of dust mass accumulation rates over the last two glacial-interglacial cycles from the Irig...

This paper is dealing with soil erosion assessment using two different approaches: nuclear model and erosion potential method, also known as Gavrilovic's method. Complex valley systems on Titel Loess Plateau were selected for investigation. Radiocaesium is favored in many studies as an optimal erosion tracer due to its relatively long half-life, ne...

Mineral dust records distant from dust sources are crucial in establishing wider atmospheric dust loads in the past. However, detailed, independent chronologies for loess-palaeosol sequences distant from local dust sources are still rare in Europe. In this study we present a high-resolution OSL and pIRIR290 chronology and multi-proxy investigation...

The use of loess as an indicator for paleoclimatic research is quite well established. In Požarevac (northeastern Serbia), loess sequences have been preserved in old brickyards. The results of the previously conducted research indicate extremely valuable data that enable a better understanding of the mid to late Pleistocene climatic evolution in th...

In this paper, we present the case of hail prevention policy in Serbia for over 50 years from 1967 to the present. We analyze the evolution of official hail prevention policy from the perspective of evidence-based policymaking and science-policy interaction, assuming that scientific evidence contributes to policy through problem definition, the app...

The aim of this paper is to perform a tourist assessment of the representative speleoarchaeological geoheritage in Serbia for the purposes of establishing new cave tourism destinations in Serbia. Seven caves have been selected based on their speleoarcheological values. However, only two of them are currently available for visiting. The research res...

The analysis of the stable oxygen isotopes 18O and 16O has revolutionized paleoclimate research since the middle of the last century. Particularly, δ18O of ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica is used as a paleotemperature proxy, and δ18O of deep-sea sediments is used as a proxy for global ice volume. Important terrestrial archives to which δ18O...

Mt. Stara Planina is located in the eastern part of the Republic of Serbia and represents the westernmost part of the large mountain massif of the Balkans. Both endogenous and exogenous forces created interesting geomorphological and hydrological features for geotourism development in this area. This article proposes a preliminary list of geomorpho...

This paper analyzes the karst landscape of Southeastern Serbia, Mount Kalafat. The evaluation of five representative caves was performed using M-GAM (modified geosite assessment model) and the perspectives and potentials of karst-based geotourism were presented, through speleology, paleoclimate, and archaeology. Moreover, a unique proposal was pres...

With one of the largest watersheds in Europe draining complex geological terrains within the Alps, Bohemian Massif, Carpathians, Dinarides, and the Balkan Mountains, the Danube River valley has long been linked to the formation of thick loess deposits, particularly within the Middle and Lower Danube basins. However, uncertainty over the provenance...

The changing pattern of magnetic characteristics in eastern European loess deposits is the most similar across the world to that of the Chinese Loess Plateau, both of which are dominated by the strength of pedogenesis. Hence a systematical study to the rock magnetism of eastern European loess is not only helpful for understanding the paleoclimatic...

Source distant dust records are crucial to establish wider atmospheric dust loads in the past. However, detailed, independent chronologies for loess-palaeosol sequences distant from local dust sources are still rare in Europe. In this study we present a high-resolution OSL and pIRIR 290 chronology and multi-proxy investigation of the Irig loess-pal...

Loess deposits in the Vojvodina region, northern Serbia, are among the oldest and most complete loess-paleosol sequences in Europe to date. These thick sequences contain a detailed paleoclimatic record from the late Early Pleistocene. Based on the correlation of detailed magnetic susceptibility (MS) records from Vojvodina with the Chinese loess rec...

The Deliblato Sands is among the largest uniform dune fields of Europe, with a very pronounced topography reflecting extensive past aeolian events. Although lacking numerical age data, previous researchers have hypothesized various periods of dune formation. Our research goals were to map the main morphological units of the Deliblato Sands, and to...

The paper aims to provide an overview of the most important parameters (the occurrence, frequency and magnitude) in Vojvodina Region (North Serbia). Monthly and annual mean precipitation values in the period 1946–2014, for the 12 selected meteorological stations were used. Relevant parameters(precipitation amounts, Angot precipitation index) were u...

The turbulent geological past of the southeastern part of Serbia, along with the influence of the Nišava River, has created a rich and complex geodiversity. However, the geotourism potential of this area remains fully unrevealed. This paper proposes an inventory of geosites in the Niš City area (southeast Serbia) and analyses them to reveal which g...

We conducted the first detailed mineral magnetic investigation of more than nine loess–paleosol couplets of the composite Titel-Stari Slankamen loess section in Serbia, which provides one of the longest and most complete terrestrial record of paleoclimatic changes in Europe since ~1.0 Ma. The results show that the ferrimagnetic mineral assemblage o...

Loess deposits intercalated by paleosols are detailed terrestrial archives of Quaternary climate variability providing information on the global dust cycle and landscape dynamics. Their paleoclimatic significance is often explored by quantifying their mineral magnetic properties due to their sensitivity to local/regional hydroclimate variability. D...

In this study we present a luminescence investigation of samples from the Požarevac loess–palaeosol sequence (LPS) in north–eastern Serbia. The pIRIR290 signal displayed a generally good behaviour and yielded stratigraphically consistent De values. The pIRIR290 ages show very good agreement (within uncertainty) with the expected stratigraphic ages...

Halomorphic (or saline) soils, are characterized by high concentrations of soluble salts or sodium, or both. Saline soils have unfavorable agricultural properties but provide the natural habitats for a variety of highly specialized plants, animals, and other organisms. It is these special interactions that create the typical landscape of saline soi...

The Fruška Gora Mt., as a dominant orographic complex in the Pannonian plain, was selected for a pioneer geodiversity quantification study area due to its unique geology and soil properties. The methodology is based on the geodiversity quantification assessment approach of Serrano and Ruiz-Flaño (Geogr Helv 62:140–147, 2007). It employed a 500 × 50...

Clay minerals in loess-paleosol sequences carry important information on dust source and the paleoenvironments of the areas of loess distribution. The loess-paleosol sequences in the Serbian part of the Carpathian Basin are among the most complete Quaternary terrestrial sedimentary sequences in Europe. However, relatively little is known about the...

In their discussion paper, Sümegi & Gulyás (2021) expressed their concerns about our remarks regarding the reliability of malacothermometer-based July paleotemperature reconstructions for the Carpathian Basin as published in Obreht et al. (2019). We are content to see that our paper inspired the continuation of the discussion, however, we have some...

The extensive loess deposits in southern China (‘Xiashu’ loess) are a valuable paleoclimatic archive in the subtropical monsoon region. We carried out a combined study of iron oxide mineralogy, pedostratigraphy, and magnetostratigraphy of three new loess sections in subtropical China. A detailed comparison of the iron oxides content of the Xiashu l...

This work presents the results of the first Serbian monitoring campaign performed to assess the occupational exposure of petrochemical industry workers to benzene (B), toluene (T), ethylbenzene (E), and xylene (X), known collectively as BTEX. The following urinary biomarkers were investigated: phenol, hippuric acid, o-Cresol, p-Cresol, and creatini...

In mid-latitude Eurasia, loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) provide the most widespread sedimentary records of Quaternary paleoenvironmental evolution. In the Middle Danube Basin (MDB), these archives cover at least the last million years of climate history, and occasionally contain archeological findings. The studied Zemun LPS is located on the right...

We investigate the glacial climate conditions in the southeastern Carpathian Basin (Vojvodina, Serbia) based on the reconstruction of malacological palaeotemperatures and results from a high‐resolution regional climate simulation. Land snail assemblages from eight loess profiles are used to reconstruct July temperatures during the Last Glacial Maxi...

The loess sequence preserved in the Požarevac brickyard in northeastern Serbia comprises eight loess units separated by seven paleosols. Geochronological investigation using amino acid racemization and luminescence dating support stratigraphic correlations of loess units L3, S2LL1 and L1 at the Požarevac section with loess of glacial cycles E [Mari...