Inventory of Geoheritage Sites – the Base of Geotourism Development in Montenegro
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISSN 0354-8724 (hard copy) | ISSN 1820-7138 (online) Inventory of Geoheritage Sites – the Base of Geotourism Development in Montenegro Đurović PredragA*, Đurović MirelaB Received: November 2010 | Revised: November 2010 | Accepted: November 2010 Abstract The main principles and methodology of establishing the inventory of geoheritage sites are analyzed. Special at- tention is given to theoretical and practical problems related to application of the established principles. Geoher- itage sites in Montenegro, classified according to international standards (ProGeo) were presented, including their valorization based on the aspects of tourism valorization. Possibilities and limitations of geotourism development in Montenegro were emphasized, too. Key words: geodiversity, geoheritage, tourism, geotourism, Montenegro Principles and methodology could cause some problems during their invento- of establishing the inventory ry, protection as well as during their presentation. of geoheritage sites Concerning their forms should be distinguished dotted, aerial and linear forms, whereas concern- Geotectonic base and exogenous processes brought ing size exist sites in meter scale, decameter and to distinctive complex of natural, abiotic elements kilometer scale. Dotted geoheritage sites of meter within the particular area. These elements con- and decameter size might be incorporated into lin- struct the overall diversity known as geodiversi- ear or aerial objects of kilometer size. This actual- ty. Geodiversity objects should be recognized and ly means that geoheritage sites could be simple or study during the special scientific studies among complex. For example, the canyon of the Tara Riv- different geodisciplines. Extensive studies enlarge er was determined as linear geoheritage object in our knowledge related to geodiversity of distinct kilometer scale. It represents complex site, as em- area. However, more apparent insight into the ge- braces several pointless sites in decameter scale e.g. odiversity wealth requires the distinguishing of springs Ljutica, Bijelo vrelo, Bajlovića sige, Djavolje representative objects, i.e. geoheritage sites as rep- lazi etc. (Djurović P., Djurović M., 2010). resentatives of geodiversity (Djurović P., Mijović Distinguishing of geoheritage sites among the D, 2006). These include geological, geomorpho- geodiversity objects is possible concerning few logical, hydrological-hydrogeological, pedological criteria: scientific values, rarity, original, repre- and distinct, geo-archeological values emphasized sentative, aesthetic etc. The group of representa- with their notable scientific and cultural signif- tive objects – geoheritage sites determined with- icance, making a part of distinct European and in the geodiversity objects, need to be categorized, world heritage. From that reason they require to i.e. its importance related to similar objects need be concerned of all relevant social factors in their to be evaluated. Categorization is usually among protection as well as in their presentation to do- the sites of local, national, regional, European and mestic and foreign scientific and professional pub- world importance (Dangić A., 1998). Their identi- licity (Pantić N., Belij S., Mijović D., 1998). fication and classification should be followed with Geoheritage sites differ a lot concerning their their protection and conservation. Different pro- forms and essential values. These differences tection measures based on different law acts de- A Geography faculty, University of Belgrade; Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; e-mail: [email protected] B Jurija Gagarina 117/111, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; e-mail: e-mai: [email protected] * Corresponding author: Đurović Predrag, e-mail: [email protected] 126 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 14, Issue 4, 126-132 (December 2010) Đurović Predrag, Đurović Mirela pending from the worthy of the sites, their tem- porary and potential endanger, will be applied. At some geoheritage sites, applied conservation should prevent further deterioration. Conserva- tion includes physical protection of sites from the influence of natural processes and anthropogen- ic impacts. Simultaneously with conservation and protection should be done valorization and pres- entation of geoheritage sites. Presentation of geo- heritage sites should be directly at their site or in- directly. Former includes either the exposition of panels, which will present the main site values, or organization of leader services. The latter in- cludes presentation in various publications, sci- entific (magazines, monographs etc.), professional (books, reference books etc.) and popular (itin- erary, guide books etc.) as well as in medias like television or newspaper reports and so on. Val- orization of geoheritage sites is based on differ- ent criteria depending from the object themselves. Valorization is often in discordance with the pro- tection, as could decrease its importance, or de- stroy it. Touristic valorization of geoheritage sites From the above-mentioned modes of inventory of geoheritage sites creation is obvious that it repre- sents a long and complex process, both scientific and professional, as well as legislative.With this process, or near its end, could be created valori- zation of geoheritage sites in the sense of its val- ue for tourism. Principles of tourist valorization Figure 1. Geoheritage of Montenegro: a) Canyon of the Mrtvica River (Southwest from Kolašin), b) are different from principles of distinguishing ge- Waterfall of the Perućica River, c) Cliff near Petrovac (on the Adriatic odiversity objects and valorization of geoherit- Coast) , d) Riverbed of Cijevna (near Podgorica) age sites. These differences are the consequence of different criteria for the geoheritage sites val- al Adriatic region (Ivanović S., 1991). Each of these orization. A scientific criterion, which is the main geotectonic units past through different evolution decisive factor in selection of geoheritage sites, is phases, thus their petrological and structural ele- not the main in tourist valorization, where the ments witness of thundering evolution in this part advantage belongs to aesthetic values and rarity. of the Europe. Different physical-geographical fac- Communication and economic defray are two ap- tors, both in modern times and in ancient geomor- proaches which highly govern tourism valoriza- phological past, imprinted the existing geological tion of geoheritage sites. The highest attraction basement creating a treasure of different forms, oc- deserves complex sites of aerial or linear distribu- currences and processes (Figure 1 and 2). The high- tion, kilometer in scale (Figure1 and 2). est influence on nature in Montenegro had two noteworthy changes. They correspond to alterna- tion of glacial and interglacial periods that took Geoheritage sites in Montenegro part approximately in last 2 million years. These al- Geotectonic setting and physical-geographical ternations either caused motions, or stopped the conditions resulted in formation of numerous numerous physical-geographical processes. They and diverse, natural geo-complexes in Montene- had the direct influence on highland-mountainous gro. Accompanied with biotic elements they rep- region whereas the complete Montenegro area af- resent a true complex of natural diversity in this fected indirectly. Another significant change is re- area (Radojičić B., 1996). lated for the rise of Adriatic Sea level as the conse- Several macro geotectonic units have been divid- quence of global sea level increase. This happened ed in Montenegro: Dinarides, Prokletije and coast- about 12 –14,000 years ago and resulted in drown- Geographica Pannonica • Volume 14, Issue 4, 126-132 (December 2010) 127 Inventory of Geoheritage Sites – the Base of Geotourism Development in Montenegro Figure 2. Geoheritage of Montenegro: a) Lipska Pećina (cave near Cetinje), b) Buljarica (bay near Petrovac on the Adriatic Coast), c) Pešića jezero (lake on the Mount Bjelasica), d) Beška (island in the Skadar Lake) ing of previous relief and translation of landforms of sites related to their real number in Montene- into submerge forms (submarine springs, drowned gro (Djurović P., Djurović M., 2010). According to springs, drowned karst valleys called vrtače, karst this preliminary list the existence of diverse geo- fields etc.). heritage sites in Montenegro, whose values often exceed local importance, is designated. Numerous Inventory of geoheritage sites sites occur as significant natural curiosities be- Geoheritage sites are classified into 9 main groups: side their pronounced scientific values represent- • historical-geological and stratigraphically sites ing very good potentials for tourism development. heritage, The most valuable are sites of geomorphological, • structural sites, hydrological, and partly sites of speleological geo- • petrological sites, heritage (Lješević M. 1980). Deep karst is prevail- • geomorphological sites, ing in Montenegro, thus pits are the most abun- • neo-tectonic activities sites, dant. Although caves are not so numerous, some • speleological sites, of them have notable aesthetic values. Histor- • hydrological-hydrogeological sites, ical-geological geoheritage sites represent less- • pedological sites and er objects of tourist valorization. However, some • archeological geoheritage sites (Wimbledon of them accompanied with the proper informa- W.A.P. 1996,1999). tive puncts might evaluate into touristic desti- nations especially those able to offer