Assessment of natural environment for the purposes of recreational tourism-example on Drina river flow (Serbia)

Abstract

The role of applied geography has been increasing in interdisciplinary research due to the advantage of knowing spatial processes and relations. This role has reflected in the geo-ecological evaluations of a particular geographical area used for different social purposes. This paper represents the GIS analysis of the natural environment of a part of the Drina River flow in wider terms so to apply in recreational tourism. The quantitative V-Wert diversification method has used for the study with the focus on identification of the area that might be favorable for recreation. The analysis is based on the knowledge of natural geographical elements. Criteria taken into consideration are the edges of the forest and water, the relief energy, the manner in which the landscape is used and the climate factor. According to the benefits of the said purpose, the unfavorable areas amount to 1,520 km2 (34.43%), conditionally favorable areas amount to 2,418 km2 (54.77%), favorable areas amount to 310.33 km2 (7.03%), very favorable areas amount to 163 km2 (3.69%) and the most favorable areas amount to 3.67 km2 (0.08%). The category of very favorable recreation contains a large area (167 km2) from the total amount of 4245 km2.