Northeastern Bosnia Research Articles

Balkan endemic vascular flora of the Konjuh Mountain

This paper presents data on the diversity and distribution of Balkan endemic vascular plants on the Konjuh Mountain in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Konjuh is characterized by geological heterogeneity and a significant proportion of ophiolitic substrate, which supports the development of endemic-relict serpentinophytes. A total of 31 endemic and four subendemic taxa were recorded in the surveyed area. Among these, Caryophyllaceae, with five recorded endemic taxa, is the most abundant family. The analysis of life forms and chorological spectra showed a dominance of hemicryptophytes and taxa from the South European and Mediterranean-Sub-Mediterranean chorological groups. The majority of endemic and relict taxa in the surveyed area are serpentinophytes. A total of 18 recorded taxa are listed as threatened according to the Red List of Flora of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The species findings are presented with a distribution map. The distribution range of endemic and endangered taxa in Konjuh extends beyond the protected area. The results provide a list of locations of particular interest for further research and potential protection due to the diversity of endemic taxa.

Front and Back Covers, Volume 39, Number 2. April 2022

Front and back cover caption, volume 39 issue 2POLYCRISIS: FROM DIVINE INTERVENTIONTO HUMAN AGENCYThe front cover image is of Thanatos (Death), the fourth horseman of the apocalypse, astride a pale steed and followed by Hades (as depicted by Gustave Doré in 1868). It serves as a haunting reminder of crisis understood in religious terms. In Christian theology, the Four Horsemen were given divine authority to kill by sword, famine, plague and through the beast; four original strands of polycrisis (Revelation 6:7‐8). Other eschatological traditions speak of entangled immorality, meteorological phenomena, geological violence and the coming of messianic saviours before the End Time.As our world faces an unprecedented era of interrelated and overlapping crises, we increasingly place human agency at the centre of our explanations. Yet we need to understand their underlying power dynamics and complexity better. This collection of articles invites us to examine how certain events trigger deliberation and critique of what constitutes a crisis and whether we can still identify cause and effect in an increasingly interconnected world. From socioeconomic forces to ecological thought and the coexistence of divine intervention, contributors explore how markets, solidarity, faith and future planning shape our responses to unexpected events spiralling out of control.We shift from the ‘crisis‐chasing’ evident over the last two decades to a meaningful critique of emergent multiscalar events. We interrogate the usefulness of the developing polycrisis paradigm to understand better the interrelated endless crises afflicting our planet today.BEES IN CRISISMarch 2023, northeastern Bosnia. A bee forager seeks out this Pink Pussy Willow, an early spring bloomer whose catkins offer up a generous supply of pollen, fuelling the hive's spring development.For the honeybees, who rely on environmental signs, such as temperature, to ascertain the seasons and sync their nest affairs with the cyclical rhythms of local weather patterns, soils and plants, willow catkin blossoms signal the beginning of a new foraging year. Yet, in the changing climate, local weather is unhinged from the seasons, and ambient cues are increasingly ambiguous and untimely.Plants, whose life cycles are likewise synced with environmental cues, interpret the changing atmosphere and respond with vigorous physiological changes. Warming temperatures and changing precipitation regimes in the Northern Hemisphere induce shorter and milder winters, earlier dates of greening in the spring and later browning in the autumn. Such changes are recorded by satellite imaging and are readily evident to lay observers.How exactly the plants and their companion insects will respond is unknown. Biologists know that responses to the changing climate and extreme weather will be idiosyncratic because ‘biodiversity’, the world of living difference, entails a vigorous differentiation of signage and meaning in an emergency.The thing to do now is to attend to these ontologically plural, interspecies signs of the times with methods and theories that are open to the unexpected and unintimidated by either the ominous or the meaningful quality of the world we share.This volume presents a joint endeavour in thinking about crisis as an ethnographic concept and an embodied, existential experience of discomfort from which to begin an earnest response.

Diversity of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae in the Shallow Mountain Lake Paučko, Konjuh Mountain

Shallow mountain lakes are highly sensitive to eutrophication. Cyanobacteria and microalgae in planktonic communities are the main producers in lake ecosystems, but stability of its communities is impacted by numerous factors. The aim of this study is to analyze seasonal diversity and community structure of cyanobacteria and microalgae in plankton and periphyton of the lake Paučko, physical and chemical properties of water and evaluate trophic status. The mountain lake Paučko is the shallow natural lake in Protected landscape Konjuh in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sampling of net – phytoplankton, periphyton and water for physical and chemical analysis was caried in two seasons in 2018. Light microscopes and immersion objective (magnification 1000x) were used for the identification and quantification of microalgae. Non metric multimensional scaling and Simper analysis were used to describe communities in periphytic and planktic samples. In total, 70 taxa were identified. The most numerous were Bacillariophyta with 52, and Chlorophyta with 7 taxa. Seasonal dynamics in plankton communities were observed in the direction of shift of abundant Cyclotella meneghiniana, Dinobryon divergens, Peridinum cinctum and Ankistrodesmus fusiformus in spring season to Rabdoderma lineare and Pantocsekiella comensis in summer sampling season. Physical and chemical analysis of water revealed high values of total phosphorus, which correspond to the evaluated meso to eutrophic status of the lake calculated by Rott Trophic Index. The lake Paučko is under high pressure caused by the influx and retention of nutrients, which makes it susceptible to eutrophication. The results of the study provide the first insight into the diversity of cyanobacteria and microalgae for this lake and can be useful in planning of restoration measures in the context of ecological monitoring.

Geospatial analysis of population ageing in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this research is to analyze the spatial distribution of the population ageing in Bosnia and Herzegovina and identify areas of the country that are particularly vulnerable to negative demographic trends. To achieve the goal of the study, data on the ageing coefficient and ageing index for the period 2013-2020 were used. The geospatial analysis of these indicators was performed using global (Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord General G) and local (Anselin Local Moran's I and Getis-Ord G*) indexes of spatial autocorrelation. The research results confirmed the clustering of both indicators. Ageing coefficient values are clustered in municipalities in western, northwestern, Eastern, and central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ageing index values are clustered in municipalities in central, western, northwestern, and northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study provides insight into the research methods of spatial demographic trends and phenomena, and its findings can serve as a basis for future demographic research and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Domical Frontier: Architectural Manifestations of Political and Cultural Demarcations in Nineteenth-Century North-Eastern Bosnia (Gradačac, Brezovo Polje, Tuzla)

The Domical Frontier: Architectural Manifestations of Political and Cultural Demarcations in Nineteenth-Century North-Eastern Bosnia (Gradačac, Brezovo Polje, Tuzla)

Neolitsko naselje u Gornjoj Tuzli u kontekstu geološke strukture sjeveroistočne Bosne / Neolithic settlement in Gornja Tuzla in the context of the geological structure of northeastern Bosnia

This paper encompasses observation of geological and geographical determinants of Northeastern Bosnia and changes that occurred during Neogene up until the beginning of Holocene, when Tuzla basin was flooded by the Paratetis (old sea). As a result, geological formations have developed from which salt formation is the most interesting one. There will be an analysis of Tetima, a locality rich with ore of salt, situated further north of Gornja Tuzla where the spring of river Jala is, which carried halit (rocky salt) down the stream to the area where Neolithic settlement was built. From the geographical aspect, the territory of today's Gornja Tuzla is surrounded by the hills, so wider expansion was hardly possible like it happened later in Donja Tuzla, which is today's city of Tuzla. A logical question arises: why didn’t Gornja Tuzla happen ni Donja Tuzla, what influenced the neolithic population to inhabit this area?

The Mitochondrial landscape of the Konjuh and Majevica mountains of northeastern Bosnia: The view in the context genetic and demographic history

This study is the first report on the mtDNA profile of human settlements of the Konjuh and Majevica mountains of northeastern Bosnia. The aims of this study were: a) determination of mitochondrial genetic structure of populations of the Konjuh and Majevica mountains of northeastern Bosnia; b) detection of trace of ancient of mtDNA variations; and c) assessment of genetic relations with other Bosnian and Herzegovina populations and neighboring populations from the Balkan region. The genetic structure of populations of Konjuh and Majevica is shaped by western Eurasian maternal signals, which may trace their ancestry to the Paleolithic, pre-Neolithic and Neolithic. Especially interesting is the feature of the Neolithic expansion in this area. This applies especially to the presence of the pre-Neolithic lineages HV*and N1a in northeastern Bosnia, which can indicate an early settlement of this region of Bosnia by pre-Neolithic populations from the Middle East. This region abounds with resources of salt sites, which might suggest in favor of the thesis that the early-Neolithic colonists needed a safe source of salts so as to settle in the Balkan area. The populations of mountains of northeastern Bosnia indicate elements of the local population history, but they do not show strict genetic closure in relation to the neighboring populations of the Balkans. This may be a consequence of the population size, degree of geographic isolation and events of migration.

Sugar, Acid and Phenols in Fruit of the Sharka-Tolerant Autochthonous Plum Genotype ‘Mrkosljiva’

The self-rooted plum genotype ‘Mrkosljiva’ was first selected as it was devoid of Sharka leaf symptoms during the 5‑year study (2009–2014), which was subsequently confirmed by negative ELISA test results. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the biochemical variability of the autochthonous ‘Mrkosljiva’ plum genotype, based on its sugar, acid and phenolic compounds content during 3 years. In 2010 and 2011, the plums tasted sweet with favourable sugar:acid ratios of 55:1 to 65:1. These plum fruits were collected at the full ripeness stage from an extensive orchard located in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina (45 °N). Analysis by HPLC identified the following polyphenolic compounds—chlorogenic acid, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-O-galactoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside—in all 3 years that were evaluated (2009–2011), but in different amounts, depending on the environmental conditions of each year. In 2009, the plums were healthier with a threefold greater phenol content than during the other 2 years of growth. In 2009, protocatechuic acid was detected, whereas catechin, procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2 and quercetin-3‑O-rhamnoside were not detected. The combination of high phenol and sugar content in ‘Mrkosljiva’ provides healthy and tasty plums suitable primarily for processing, and to a lesser extent, due to their size, for fresh fruit marketing.

Educational Function as a Factor in Creating the Gravity Area of the city of Tuzla

The strong industrial development and urbanization of Tuzla since the second half of the 20th century influenced, among other things, the development of the educational function and the opening of schools of various educational levels and professions. Also, the educational function has influenced significant changes in the educational structure of the population, as well as the initiation of pupils and students from settlements whose place of residence is closer or further from the educational center. This led to a »migration wave« of pupils and students towards Tuzla as the educational center of Northeastern Bosnia. The paper presents an analysis of the contemporary educational function of the city of Tuzla and its changes from the mid-fifties of the last century to today, as well as changes in the educational structure of the population as one of the important indicators of the educational function. When analyzing the gravity area of the educational function of the city, the paper uses data on the territorial range of daily migrations of pupils and students towards the center of education, obtained through field research.

Deterministic and probabilistic human health risk assessment for fluorides in drinking groundwater from Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although fluorides are essential for dental health, there are growing health concerns regarding the risk-benefit ratio of fluoride exposure. The objectives of the study were to obtain data on the amount and human health risks of fluoride in drinking groundwater, as well as to compare and evaluate the differences in the outputs obtained by two different approaches in health risk assessment (deterministic vs probabilistic). From a densely populated industrial area of northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, a total of 54 groundwater samples were collected. Fluoride concentrations varied from 1.69 to 3.52 mg/L. The WHO’s threshold value for fluoride in drinking water was exceeded in all the samples analysed, indicating an increased daily intake of fluoride from groundwater. Deterministic and semi-probabilistic techniques were used for exposure assessment and health risk quantification. Generally, the deterministic approach resulted in acceptable health risks in most adult exposure scenarios. However, the Monte Carlo simulation revealed that 20.6, 20.8, and 99.8% of adult males, females, and children, respectively, were above the tolerable upper intake level, indicating that both adults and children face a significant health risk. Nevertheless, small children are more vulnerable to environmental hazards than youth and adults. Hence, a more in-depth risk-benefit analysis is required to reduce/or optimize fluoride content in drinking water to prevent tooth decay and fluorosis at all ages. Considering that optimal daily intake of fluorides is a crucial factor for preserving human health, decision-makers should take steps to emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of fluoride concentrations in drinking water.

Etnička struktura stanovništva Bosne i Hercegovine od 1948. do 1991. godine s posebnim akcentom na Bosansko Podrinje

In addition to human losses, the Second World War caused great damage to the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially to the industry that was exposed to severe destruction and damage. The situation was similar in the Bosnian Podrinje, and in the whole of northeastern Bosnia, where many residential buildings were destroyed. The Communist Party was not active in northeastern Bosnia, leaving room for its political and ideological opponents. More or less „Chetnik and Ustasha groups“ were moving around the surrounding forests, attacking the local population, harassing and looting them. The period of peace and stability from 1945 to 1991 enabled, among other things, the strong economic, educational, cultural and demographic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the end of the Second World War, Bosnia and Herzegovina had an area of 51,121 km2. According to the 1948 census, 2,565,277 people lived in the area. There were 1,237,381 males and 1,327,896 females. There were 498,294 households. According to the 1948 census, there were 1,136,116 Serbs (44.29%), 788,384 Bosniaks (30.73%), 614,142 Croats (23.94%), 4,338 Slovenes (0.17%), and 675 Macedonians (0.03%), Montenegrins 3,094 (0.12%), other Slavs 12,947 (0.50%), non-Slavs 5,338 (0.21%) and unknown 193 (0.007%). In 1948, the Bosnian Podrinje consisted of eight districts (counties): Bijeljina, Foča, Goražde, Rogatica, Srebrenica, Višegrad, Vlasenica and Zvornik. At that time, Bratunac was in the Srebrenica County, and Čajniče was in the Goražde County. In this area lived 326,930 inhabitants. There were 123,798 Bosniaks (37.87%), 199,232 Serbs (60.94%), 2,938 Croats (0.90%), 78 Slovenes (0.02%), 41 Macedonians (0.01%), and 194 Montenegrins. 0.06%), other Slavs 144 (0.04%), non-Slavs 194 (0.06%) and unknown 21 (0.006%). In 1948, Bosniaks made up the majority of the population in the counties of Goražde and Zvornik, and Serbs in the counties of Bijeljina, Foča, Rogatica, Srebrenica, Višegrad and Vlasenica. According to the 1991 census, there were 4,377,033 inhabitants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most numerous people were Bosniaks, of whom there were 1,902,956 or 43.50%. There were 1,366,104 Serbs or 31.21%, 760,852 Croats or 17.38%, 242,682 Yugoslavs or 5.54%, the other 104,439 or 2.38%. According to the 1991 census, there were 412,729 inhabitants in the Bosnian Podrinje area, which is 10,136 or 2.52% more than in 1981. In the ethnic structure of the population, the most numerous were Bosniaks, who numbered 223,955 (54.26%). There were 170,402 Serbs (41.29%), 1,312 Croats (0.32%), 8,451 Yugoslavs (2.05%) and 8,960 others (2.17%). In the period from 1948 to 1991, the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina increased from 2,565,277 to 4,377,033, which is an increase of 1,811,756 persons (70.62%). The number of Bosniaks increased from 788,384 to 1,902,956 persons, which is an increase of 1,114,572 persons (141.37%). Serbs recorded an increase from 1,136,116 to 1,366,104 persons, an increase of 229,988 persons (20.24%), and Croats from 614,142 to 760,852 persons, an increase of 146,710 persons (23.89%). The number of others increased from 26,585 to 347,121 people, which is an increase of 320,536 people (1205.70%). In 1948, Bosniaks made up 30.73% of the total population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbs 44.29%, Croats 23.94% and Others 1.04%. In 1991, Bosniaks accounted for 43.50%, Serbs 31.21%, Croats 17.38% and Others 7.93% of the total population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the area of the Bosnian Podrinje, the number of inhabitants, in the period 1948-1991. year, increased from 326,930 to 412,729, which is an increase of 85,799 people (26.24%). Bosniaks had an increase from 123,798 to 223,965 persons, which is an increase of 100,167 persons (80.90%). Serbs recorded a decrease from 199,322 to 170,402 persons, which is a decrease of 29,396 persons (14.51%), and Croats from 2,938 to 1,312 persons, which is a decrease of 1,626 persons (55.66%). The number of Others increased from 672 to 17,411 persons, which is an increase of 16,739 persons (2490.92%). In 1948, Bosniaks made up 37.87% of the total population of the Bosnian Podrinje, Serbs 60.94%, Croats 0.90% and Others 0.21%. In 1991, Bosniaks made up 54.26%, Serbs 41.29%, Croats 0.32% and Others 0.40% of the total population of the Bosnian Podrinje. During the socialist period, the number of Bosniaks in the total population of the Bosnian Podrinje continuously increased due to stable natural growth, peace, developed economy, health and the fact that a significant number of Bosniaks „hid“ in Yugoslavs and other groups. At the same time, the number of Serbs and Croats in the total population of this area was decreasing. This was, first of all, due to the departure of Serbs and Croats to neighboring Serbia, ie Croatia for employment or education.

THE ECONOMY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IN THE LIGHT OF GLOBAL CHALLENGES

The subject of research in this paper are the expectations of Bosnian businessmen regarding the future conditions of business operations. Based on the current moment and challenges, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, they were asked to assess future economic trends. The goal was to assess the degree of optimism or pessimism among entrepreneurs as an important factor in the future development of the economy. Managers in different sectors of the economy were surveyed in three cities of northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bijeljina, Zvornik and Brčko. The future of our economy was assessed from the following aspects: the key difficulties that businessmen will face, expectations about future economic growth, the attitude of the BiH authorities towards the current divisions in the world due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, as well as an estimate of the time when normal working conditions will be established and business activities that existed before the pandemic.

Length-weight Relationships and Condition Factor of Chub (Squalius cephalus, Linnaeus, 1758) from the Area of Northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this research is the analysis of the length-weight relationships and the condition factor of chub (Squalius cephalus L.) from certain rivers in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina that belong to the Black Sea basin. The research was conducted on 200 specimens of chub (Squalius cephalus L.) during 2019. The estimated values of the total body length ranged from 10.06 cm to 29.33 cm, with the mean body length of 15.97 cm in the total sample. The fish weight ranged from 8.0 g to 264.5 g, with the mean value of 46.8 g. The length-weight relationships of chub were determined in relation to their age classes. The fish in age classes 1+, 4+ and 5+ indicate a positive allometric growth (b > 3), while the fish in age classes 2+ and 3+ have a negative allometric growth (b < 3). The analysis of the coefficient of determination, R2, shows that the fish in age classes 1+ i 4+ have the highest values of this coefficient (> 0,9). ANOVA analysis of the condition factor of chub based on age classes indicates that there are no statistically significant differences in the distribution of this factor between the fish of the same age classes from different localities (P < 0.05).

Examination of Compatibility of Autochthonous Pear Cultivars from the Region of Northeastern Bosnia with Vegetative Rootstock of the Genus Cydonia sp

Rootstocks of the genus Pyrus are easily adapted to climatic conditions and such trees are more resistant to Erwinia amylovora, but they also have disadvantages because these trees are more lush and difficult to grow in dense composition. The production of pears in a dense composition is a tendency of intensive pear production, and quince rootstocks are used for this purpose, because it is easier to control the height of the stem.
 The increase in the density of the composition in pear orchards is directly related to the use of vegetative rootstocks of less lushness, such as rootstocks of the genus Cydonia sp.The research included five autochthonous pear varieties: Takiša, Jeribasma, Šećerka, Karamut i Huseinbegovača.
 The tests were performed at the location Voćni rasadnik, Špionica, City Srebrenik, Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the vegetation of 2021.
 Morphometric analyzes were performed on a sample of 30 seedlings for each pear variety. Average results are presented using MS Excel software packages.
 Seedlings of grafted varieties on the basis of diameter did not meet the conditions of marketing, while on the basis of vegetative growth, three varieties met the conditions of marketing of planting material. The research was conducted within the project number 02 / 9-712-1-5-4 / 21.
 Grafted autochthonous varieties in the year of grafting showed extremely good adhesion with the vegetative rootstock BA-29, but did not have a good diameter. Due to the possibility of remanence, it is necessary to continue research after planting seedlings in plantations.

Recently discovered Basilica from Late Antiquity and a Tombstone Stela from Mramorak near Osmaci

The territory of north-eastern Bosnia is one of the least explored parts of the Western Balkans in archaeology. In 2015, the remains of a double-naved basilica from Late Antiquity were discovered in the village of Mramorak, at the archeological site of Crkvina, in the municipality of Osmaci. A comparative overview of similar findings from north-eastern Bosnia is given in the introductory part of this paper in order to comprehend the importance of this finding as much as possible. This is followed by specific research results of the basilica from Late Antiquity from Mramorak. It is important to note that one tombstone stela from the period of the Principate has been discovered at this site. This is a high-quality monument as seen by the portraits of the decedents and their successors. It is a beautiful example of Roman stelas that has been discovered in the territory of present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although the inscription field is physically damaged, the majority of the text can be reconstructed. This recently discovered basilica from Mramorak can be dated to the period from the 4th to 6th century, whereas the stela was probably produced in the 2nd century.

Speciation of Manganese in Natural Waters Using Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry in Correlation with Physico-chemical Parameters

To understand the bio-geochemical distribution, activities and environmental consequences of heavy metals, it is very important to know their physico-chemical form and the conditions under which the transformation from one form to another occurs. The bioavailability of heavy metals directly depends on the physico-chemical conditions of the environment, the concentration of anions and cations in water, the content of heavy metals as well as the ionic strength. Depending on the physico-chemical properties of water, metals are found in water as free ions or as complex compounds. Their change in the form in which metals occur is significantly influenced by pH, temperature, alkalinity, water hardness, organic matter, and biological activity. The total concentration of metal in water is only an indicator of pollution, and it is necessary to determine the form of the metal. Differential Pulse Anode Stripping Voltammery with mercury electrode was used for determination of chemical speciation. Manganese belongs to the group of essential heavy metals if its concentration does not exceed the maximum allowed value.
 The aim of this work is to determine the available forms of manganese in the water of Modrac Lake in relation to the analyzed physico-chemical parameters. In addition to industrial applications, Modrac Lake is also used as an alternative source of drinking water, and it is a strategic resource for water supply of the region of north-eastern Bosnia.

Intrafamilial Spread of COVID-19 Infection Within Population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background:The corona virus is transmitted in three ways: by direct contact with an infected person, by droplets, and by air. Transmission control according to official guidelines can be prevented by keeping a distance, wearing a mask and washing hands. Sharing a space with several members of the immediate or extended family increases the risk of transmission in all three ways. In Traditional Bosnian families two or three generations live in one household. The family doctor is informed with living conditions of the residents and has the opportunity to monitor the rate of secondary transmission from the index case, and then recommend additional preventative and treatment measures.Objective:The aim of the study was to determine the first occurrence of the symptoms and to monitor possible intrafamilial transmission of the disease through clinical examinations and microbiological-serological tests.Methods:The study was conducted in a family medicine clinic in the region of northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina from March to December 2020. Patients with symptoms that could indicate the presence of COVID-19 disease were registered. If COVID-19 was proven, the patient became an index case. The other members of the family would be monitored for the secondary transmission via laboratory (PCA SARS-CoV-2 and IgM and IgG antibodies) and clinical parameters.Results:Characteristics of 25 index cases were analyzed. All 25 of them were middle-aged men that worked outside the home. In 25 households, there was a total of 123 members that shared a home with the index patient. Secondary transmission developed in 76 out of 123 family members (61.8%). Only one patient had a severe form of the disease and was hospitalized. 2 patients died.Conclusion:Intrafamiliar transmission of Covid-19 in households of Bosnia and Herzegovina is high. The secondary attack rate of SARS- CoV-2 in households is 61,8%. In the surveyed households, family members use common rooms with an infected patient, and the customs of family gatherings are maintained, without the implementation of protective measures. The family medicine team has the opportunity to apply appropriate preventive action, education and early prehospital treatment as well as adequate selection for the hospital admission.

Identification and geovisualization of landscape transformation of surface mine areas in the Đurđevik coal basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The paper researches the landscape transformation of the surface mines of the Đurđevik coal basin (northeastern Bosnia region), where 35.24 Mt of brown coal were produced in the past 74 years, and 227.40 Mm3 of overburden was excavated and disposed of. This type of coal exploitation caused the formation concave and convex of anthropogenic relief forms which ultimately led to significant landscape transformation. These transformations were identified and geovisualized on the basis of field research and comparative GIS analysis of archival maps, satellite images, Digital Elevation Models and plans of this area. As a result of the research, especially comparative GIS analysis of two prepared terrain models of surface mines, the transformation of hypsometry, slope and aspect, hydrographic network, pedological as well as vegetation cover were determined. Obtained geospatial data are geo-visualized in QGIS, and as a result, thematic maps were created to provide insight into the essence of transformations. Therefore, established indicators of landscape transformation can serve as a significant factor in planning the revitalization and land re-cultivation of devastated areas in the Đurđevik coal basin.

GIS analysis of landscape topography transformation of the open pit "Grivice" (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The authors analyze transformations of landscape topography of the open pit "Grivice" in Banovići basin (Northeastern Bosnia). This complex research is based on field screening and GIS analysis of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of researches terrain. Specifically, two DEMs of the Grivice area were prepared, a natural model based on a topographic map, scale 1:25000, issued in 1976 by the Military Geographical Institute (MGI) from Belgrade, while the Google satellite image from 2018 and the Digital Surface Model (DSM) were used for the anthropogenic model,issued in 2018 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Using methods and algorithms integrated in QGIS, raster and vector values of treated transformation parameters(hypsometry, slope and aspect, hydrographic network, etc.) were obtained, and their analytical-synthetic interpretation and geovisualization were also performed. Finally, ten thematic maps,which illustrate the anthropogenic transformation of the landscape topography of the researched area, were created.

Analysis of location factors important for development Spa tourism in Srebrenica

In this paper, location factors important for the development of Spa tourism in Srebrenica was analyzed. Crni Guber Spa is located at 596 meters above sea level and is the highest spa and climatic place in northeastern Bosnia. Until the beginning of the war in 1992 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the backbone of the economic development of the municipality of Srebrenica was the development of spa tourism. Spa Crni Guber in Srebrenica was a well-known health resort for anemic diseases. The accommodation capacities of this Spa complex were damaged by the war, so this health resort is currently in stagnation. We single out the time after 1995 as a special period, because there are no conditions for tourist movements towards the Crni Guber Spa in Srebrenica. Conducted research indicates that for the launch of the Crni Guber Spa and the adequate use of medicinal waters for medical purposes, it is necessary to resolve property and legal issues related to accommodation facilities and medical equipment of this Spa as well as the issue of concessions regarding the exploitation of medicinal water. Analyzing the importance of location factors and other factors important for the development of Spa tourism, in addition to local development policy in the municipality of Srebrenica, author believes that hydrographic and climatic resources, accommodation capacities and the touristic market are of special importance. The analysis of the spatial distribution of medicinal waters presents their economic value and proposes guidelines for further use and protection of these resources. For this type of tourist activity in Srebrenica, the tourist policy of local and state authorities is of great importance, as well as the connection between tourist organizations in order to attract visitors for treatment, recreation and rest. This paper presents a contribution to theoretical and practical research for the development of Spa tourism in the municipality of Srebrenica.