LOESSFEST'09 | Aug. 31st – Sept. 3rd, 2009 |Novi Sad-Serbia
The Geosites Inventory of Titel Loess Plateau (N Serbia)
Jovanović, M.1, Gaudenyi, T.1, Zvizdić, O.1
1Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Managment, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
The Titel loess plateau (TLP) is a unique geomorphologic phenomenon, with an area of 90 km2, at the confluence of Tisza and Danube rivers in the Vojvodina Province (N Serbia). Steep loess bluffs, up to 55 m high, confine it to the north and east, as a result of recent fluvial process, while its western and southern edges reveal more gentle morphology. Detailed multidisciplinary investigations clearly show the Plateau’s geological, paleopedological, stratigraphical, paleontological, geomorphological and archaeological importance. Based on these characteristics, TLP is officially proposed for Nature Reservation.
Geosites are elements, areas or places of geological interest that have an important naturalistic value and are important witnesses of the Earth’s history. They make the places and areas “unique” due to their specific physical, morphological, climatic and structural factors. Identifying, cataloguing and evaluating geosites is a preparatory activity for their protection and conservation. The next stage will include the identification of reference procedures for the evaluation, validation and improvement of geosites.
The most distinctive geosites are already identified as loess exposures, gullies, hanging valleys, “loess pyramid” and loess cave. The list is not complete because the distinctive physical properties of loess have here resulted in a unique landscape type that is highly susceptibility to erosion. Very recent changes in the loess cave morphology are one of the best examples. Accelerated erosion is frequently a result of land use practices on the Plateau, and can be regarded as a hazard in the last more than 3,5 millennia.
The creation of educational material is an important task for geoscientists dealing with geotourism and the use of adapted simplified tools is necessary for explaining geology and geomorphology to tourists. The significant advantages of TLP is a result of dynamic character of geomorphological processes, clear chronology of loess sediments accumulation, distinctive palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate and its relationship with the landscape that is currently visible.
Moreover, the question of mapping the geoheritage has received much less attention than its evaluation. In the context of tourism, the main issue concerns the preparation of maps useful for tourists when they visit a geomorphosites. Mapping should not be limited to classical geomorphological mapping and should use the new digital tools.