Assessment of Geotourism Values and Ecological Status of Mines in Kopaonik Mountain (Serbia)

Danijela Vukoičić,Radomir Ivanović,Nataša Martić-Bursać,Dušan Ristić,Dragan Radovanović,Marko Ivanović,Jovan Dragojlović

doi:10.3390/min10030269

Abstract

Abandoned mines can pose a major environmental hazard. At the beginning of the 21st century, significant steps were taken all around the world in order to protect these historically valuable complexes, and the mining heritage was recognized as a potential for the development of alternative tourism. This exploration covers mines in the Kopaonik Mountain area. Mining on this mountain began in ancient times. It has developed throughout history, and today only one mine is active. Three abandoned (Gvozdac, Suvo Rudište and Raičeva Gora) and one active mine (Belo Brdo-Zaplanina) are the subject of research. The basic aim of the research is twofold. The estimation of geo-tourist values was performed using the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), and the ecological status assessment WAS performed according to the standard model based on negative and positive values. Based on the applied methods, it was concluded that mines (geosites) have a high level of natural characteristics, and that differences between geosites are evident in tourist values. The reason for this is insufficient tourist affirmation and the insufficient availability of tourist infrastructure. With the ecological status, positive values were observed on the geosites, which also differ from one (Raičeva Gora) to 15 points (Gvozdac). In the end, the results obtained are of great scientific importance, and their direct application is in the development of the Tourism Development Strategy in the Kopaonik area.

Highlights

Human activities directly and indirectly affect the environment through their activities [1]
As the geosites GS1, GS2 and GS3 are located in the area of Kopaonik National Park, research has confirmed that they belong to a high level of protection, while GS4 belongs to a medium level of protection
Based on the results of the research, it is necessary to carry out a procedure and make a plan for the elimination of all negative impacts on the sites, as well as a plan for exploiting all the positive values that may affect the development of tourism at the sites and in their surroundings

Summary

Introduction

Human activities directly and indirectly affect the environment through their activities [1]. Through a direct or indirect combination of human activities and natural forces, numerous landscapes have been created [1,2]. The anthropogenic activities significantly change the landscape and they can be implemented within the framework of sustainable management and conservation of geomorphological heritage, which is confirmed by the study by Kubalikova et al [3]. The results of the anthropogenic assessment in this study may serve the purpose of landscaping and assist in arguments for the conservation of particular localities. Baczinska et al [4] performed the evaluation of landscape attractiveness, on the example of abandoned quarries. Mining activity and related mineral processing are generally considered among the major anthropogenic sources of potentially harmful elements and other contaminants in the environment [5,6]

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