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Authors: Philip Obaigwa Sagero, Chris Shisanya,Victor Ongoma, Zablon Weku Shilenje

Abstract: This paper focuses on one of the high resolution models used for weather forecasting at Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). It reviews the skill and accuracy of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) – Environmental Modeling System (EMS) model, in simulating weather over Kenya. The study period was March to May 2011, during the rainy season over Kenya. The model output was compared with the observed data from 27 synoptic stations spread over the study area, to determine the performance of the model in terms of its skill and accuracy in forecasting. The spatial distribution of rainfall and temperature showed that the WRF model was capable of reproducing the observed general pattern especially for temperature. The model has skill in forecasting both rainfall and temperature over the study area. However, the model may underestimate rainfall of more than 10 mm/day and displace its location and overestimate rainfall of less than 1 mm/day. Therefore, during the period of enhanced rainfall especially in the month of April and part of May the model forecast needs to be complemented by other models or forecasting methods before giving a forecast. There is need to improve its performance over the domain through review of the parameterization of small scale physical processes and more observed data need to be simulated into the model.

Keywords: rainfall, temperature, weather forecasting, WRF, Kenya

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-01

Article info: 51-61

Received: December 9, 2015 | Revised: March 7, 2016 | Accepted: June 1, 2016

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Authors: Emetere Moses Eterigho

Abstract: The problem of underestimating or overestimating the aerosols loading over Mubi is inevitable because of the absence of ground stations over the region. Aerosols pollution is a global challenge to life forms as it affects human health, agricultural produce, thermal comfort and weather. The modulation between high and low thermal comforts over Mubi is quite disturbing. The aim of the research is to seek a more reliable approach to estimate the aerosols loading and retention over Mubi. Thirteen years aerosol optical depth (AOD) data was obtained from the Multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR). Mubi is located on latitude 10.27oN and longitude 13.27oE. Statistical tools, as well as analytically derived model for aerosols loading were used to obtain the aerosols retention and loading over the area. It was discovered that the highest aerosols retention over Mubi is 12.7%. The atmospheric constants and tuning constants over Mubi were documented as 0.67 and 0.71 respectively. Due to the volume of aerosols over Mubi, it is necessary to change the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) model which relates to signal budgeting.

Keywords: aerosols retention, Mubi, atmospheric constant, statistical tool, analytical dispersion model

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-02

Article info: 62-69

Received: January 8, 2015 | Revised: April 7, 2016 | Accepted: June 1, 2016

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Authors: Miško M. Milanović, Veljko S. Perović, Milisav D. Tomić, Tin Lukić, Snežana S. Nenadović, Milan M. Radovanović, Miloš M. Ninković, Ivan Samardžić, Đurđa Miljković

Abstract: Both environmental control and appropriate measurement results present basis for the quality protection of geospatial elements. Providing environmental monitoring activities and creating control network is the obligation of each state, whereas local communities provide observation and control of air quality, water quality, waste quality, soil quality, vegetation and land cover control, etc. This has been the reason for the analysis of vegetation of the municipality of Jagodina in Serbia. By processing satellite images, data on the sources of pollution and polluting materials of the vegetation have been discovered. These include spot (stationary), linear (mobile and stationary) and surface (stationary and mobile) sources. While processing satellite images by the Idrisi software, we have acquired results that indicate certain vegetation modifcations (images obtained through infrared spectral imaging). Results obtained through remote sensing indicate the necessity to defne adequate vegetation monitoring, to complete a register of pollutants, to set up information system and defne ways of data presentation in order to manage a single, complete register of environmental pollutants in the municipality of Jagodina.

Keywords: environmental control, vegetation, remote sensing, municipality of Jagodina, protection

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-03

Article info: 70-78

Received: January 12, 2016 | Revised: May 21, 2016 | Accepted: June 2, 2016

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Authors: Dalia Štreimikienė, Wadim Strielkowski, Yuriy Bilan, Ignas Mikalauskas

Abstract: Energy security is one of the most important indicators of sustainable regional development and “green” growth in implementation of EU strategy Europe 2020. It can provide the harmonized devel opment and cohesion of “old” and “new” EU member states. Our paper conducts a comparative study of energy dependency and energy security indicators in the Baltic States. The Baltic countries achieved enormous progress in the use of renewable energy sources and energy effciency since their EU accession in 2004. The increase of renewable energy capacities in Baltic States also contributed to the reduction of energy intensity and carbon intensity of economy and energy import dependency. Our results show that amongst all three states, it was Estonia that had achieved the best results in increased use of renewables and energy effciency improvements and had distinguished itself with the best indicators and economic and regional policy outcomes.

Keywords: sustainable energy, economic growth, regional development, energy security, Baltic States

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-04

Article info: 79-87

Received: February 24, 2016 | Revised: May 9, 2016 | Accepted: June 2, 2016

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Authors: Vladimir Stojanović

Abstract: Hemp is a very important agricultural crop for Bačka region. For centuries, hemp had been grown in this area and it had a crucial importance not only for the agriculture, but for the industry and trade of this region as well. From uncultivated, poorly inhabited and underdeveloped area in 18th century, Bačka made its way to a promising region in which agriculture and industry represent the backbone of the economic development. Signifcant number of colonial settlements from 18th century and colonization period during rule of Austro-Hungarian empress Maria Theresa recognized growing hemp as their main opportunities to prosper. Later on, in these settlements, the small manufactories for hemp processing were built which eventually had grown into larger factories for hemp fabric production. The town of Odžaci was one of these settlements. From a small colonial settlement, it became one of the important industrial centres in Bačka region.

Keywords: hemp, hemp farming, industry, Bačka, Odžaci

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-05

Article info: 88-95

Received: March 2, 2016 | Revised: May 27, 2016 | Accepted: June 3, 2016

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Authors: Dragana Milošević, Ljubica Ivanović Bibić, Smiljana Đukičin, Anđelija Ivkov Džigurski, Branko Ristanović

Abstract: The subject of the work is to determine the possibilities of application of programmed instruction in the teaching of geography in the case of the sixth grade students of the second cycle of education. On the basis of an experimental research the rationale for the use of this form of acquiring knowledge during the classes of processing new material is presented. The primary task of the research functioning is to determine the degree of benefts of programmed instruction when adopting new geographical teaching contents and what is the extent of applicability of this method of learning with the aim of improving teaching. The second task of the work is the application of the experiment in two classes, the control (C) and experimental (E), based on which it is established which vision of learning, programmed or conventional, achieves the best results in processing geographical contents in primary school.

Keywords: programmed instruction, geography, education, educational standards, primary school,
Serbia

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-01

Article info: 96-104

Received: March 23, 2016 | Revised: May 29, 2016 | Accepted: June 6, 2016

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Authors: Uglješa Stankov, Michal Klaučo, Vanja Dragićević, Miroslav D. Vujičić, Milica Solarević

Abstract: Tourism development can strongly affect purpose of land use at the destination and in surrounding areas. However, the effects of development in tourism destination cannot be easily visible and proven. Sometimes indicators of tourism development do not show its signifcant impact, but the structural changes are occurring and they affect land use. The aim of this paper is to employ methodology for assessing effects of development on land-use changes in tourism destination. Proposed methodology includes combination of the use of publically available geographical data, geographical information systems and landscape metrics. The applicability of this approach has been investigated in test region of Čajetina municipality (south-western part of the Republic of Serbia), where tourism industry has flourished in last decades. Time series of maps (2000 and 2006) have been obtained from CORINE land cover project. Landscape metrics for area, size and density have been calculated for the entire test region and for tourism destination at patch and class levels. The results showed signifcant effects of development on land use changes in investigated tourism area comparing to its surroundings.

Keywords: GIS, land use, landscape metrics, tourism, Čajetina municipality, Serbia.

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-07

Article info:

Received: February 19, 2016 | Revised: April 23, 2016 | Accepted: June 3, 2016

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Authors: Anton Kasagranda, Eva Rajčáková, Jiří Vystoupil

Abstract: Urban tourism, characterized by a high share of international tourists in Slovakia, represents the specific type of tourism that is the main aim of this study. It includes analysis of bed capacities of collective accommodation establishments and urban tourism performance, which represent the basis for the subsequent typifcation of urban tourism centres. In typifcation, localization conditions and their attractiveness, which form the very basis of potential of urban tourism centres, are evaluated. Results of the research indicate, that urban tourism is one of the most important type of tourism in Slovakia. In the terms of tourism, the most valuable towns are those with high cultural and historical value (historical towns) and towns defned as spa resorts. The main objective of this paper is the quantifcation and spatial interpretation of urban tourism in Slovakia, which can serve as a geographical basis for further research.

Keywords: urban tourism, accommodation establishments, tourism performance, spatial differentiation, typifcation

DOI: 10.18421/GP20.02-08

Article info: 105-113

Received: February 29, 2016 | Revised: April 7, 2016 | Accepted: June 2, 2016