Evaluation and valorization of geoheritage of the Mount Rogozna area

Abstract

Due to its unique geology, relief, and extensive hydrologic network, Mount Rogozna has been chosen as a case study for the quantification of geodiversity. The study consists of two interconnected parts. The first part demonstrates the application of the geodiversity evaluation method using the geodiversity index, whereas the second part deals with the evaluation of the geoheritage objects of the studied area. The methodology for calculating geodiversity index that was applied in this research was modified due to the size of the studied area. The geodiversity index is calculated based on the number of abiotic elements and the roughness of the relief within the studied area. Mount Rogozna, with an area of 818.26 km2, has been studied and processed using a network of spatial polygons of 500 × 500 m and using different maps. The second part of the research deals with the evaluation of geoheritage objects, applying the Geosite Assessment Model. The obtained results demonstrate that geoheritage objects are not always located in places with high values of the geodiversity index. This is proven by the fact that 5 out of 7 geoheritage sites are located in areas with low geodiversity values. The obtained qualitative and quantitative data with maps showing the distribution of geodiversity can serve as a starting point for the development of a planning and management strategy, but also as the example of good practice for possible further application in the quantification of geodiversity in this part of Serbia, and beyond its borders as well.