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Volume XV |
Environment, Hydrology

Hydro-ecological trends of the Chepelarska River (Western Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria)

1, 1,, 1, 2

Abstract: Significant anthropogenic impacts and climate change are putting the hydro-ecological conditions in river systems at risk of deterioration. It is crucial to record long-term trends for both an objective assessment during the planning process and the development of a methodological basis for further scientific investigations. This article analyzes human pressure and changes in the hydro-ecological status of the Chepelarska River (Southern Bulgaria), making recommendations for its improvement. The study relies on long-term hydrological data about registered runoff for 74 years from 1950 to 2023, information regarding hydro-morphological changes (regulated river sections and constructed hydropower plants), and dataset from monitoring of biological (phytobenthos, phytoplankton, fish fauna, macrophytes, and macrozoobenthos), physicochemical (pH, DO2, BOD5, Total N, Total P, NH4, NO3, NO2, and PO4), and specific chemical (Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Zn) water quality elements collected for 14 years between 2010 and 2023. The resulting information show a rising variability of runoff and a statistically significant tendency toward a flow volume decline, increasing morphological pressure from hydropower construction and aquaculture farming, and despite the overall positive hydro-ecological trend – constant deviations in some biological (macrozoobenthos), physicochemical (Total N, Total P, NH4, NO2, PO4), and specific chemical (Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn) water quality elements. The achievement of better hydro-ecological conditions requires the application of a complex of environmental, engineering, and legislative measures.

Keywords: , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2026.1.3774Dates:
Received: 17-10-2025 Accepted: 24-04-2026 Printed: 30-06-2026 Online: 04-09-2026
Affiliations:
  • 1 Hydrology and Water Management Research Center, National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, "Academic Georgi Bonchev" Str., 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 2 Applied Geoinformatics Division, Department of Geography, National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, "Academic Georgi Bonchev" Str., 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria
Corresponding author:
  • kalin.seimenov@abv.bg
Author contributions: Conceptualization, methodology, writing – original draft, MM, GB. All authors have read and agreed to the published.Declaration of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Funding: This research has been carried out in the frame of the project “Models of anthropogenic impact on the natural environment at river basin scale (ModAiNe)”, funded by National Science Fund, Ministry of Education and Science (Bulgaria), Competition for financial support for basic research projects – 2022 (Contract No КП-06-Н64/6, signed on 15.12.2022).
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XV |
Hydrology, Various

Global trends in watersheds prioritization – a bibliometric analysis

1,, 2, 3

Abstract: The prioritizing of watersheds is a significant concern for researchers and decision-makers in the context of intensifying hydrological and geomorphological processes. Consequently, implementing territorial management measures has become a priority. The main objective of this paper is to conduct a quantitative analysis of scientific production over time at the global level, through bibliometric methods. A total of 957 scientific and review articles addressing the concept of “prioritization of watersheds” were identified in the Web of Science database. Using the VOSviewer application, trends, co-authorship relationships, country distribution, leading authors, and citation counts were evaluated. The results indicate a steady increase in the number of publications between 1993 and 2025, with 2021 recording the highest number at 114 publications. The most productive countries in terms of publications are India and the USA, with American articles receiving the highest number of citations (8,618) and exhibiting the most extensive collaboration network. Nevertheless, India stands out with two publications each exceeding 400 citations. The involvement of researchers from 55 countries across six habitable continents, each contributing at least three articles, highlights the widespread interest in watershed prioritization. Accordingly, this study suggests future directions for applying the concept and for selecting journals and collaborators to facilitate interventions aimed at sustainable watershed management.

Keywords: , , , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2026.1.3772Dates:
Received: 02-02-2026 Accepted: 11-05-2026 Printed: 30-06-2026 Online: 04-09-2026
Affiliations:
  • 1 University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, ”Simion Mehedinti” Doctoral School, 1 Nicolae Bălcescu, 010041, Bucharest, Romania
  • 2 University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Department of Geomorphology-Pedology-Geomatics, 1 Nicolae Bălcescu, 010041, Bucharest, Romania
  • 3 University of Craiova, Faculty of Sciences, Geography Department, 13 A.I. Cuza Street, 200585, Craiova, Romania
Corresponding author:
  • ioana.pastor@s.unibuc.ro
Author contributions: Conceptualization, IP, AN and SB; methodology, IP, AN and SB; formal analysis, IP, AN and SB; investigation, IP, AN and SB; writing—original draft preparation, IP; writing—review and editing, AN and SB. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Declaration of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XV |
GIS and Remote Sensing, Hydrology

Spatial prediction of flood hazard susceptibility level in Majene urban area, West Sulawesi, Indonesia

1,, 2, 2, 2, 1, 3, 2

Abstract: This study models flood hazard susceptibility in the Majene urban area, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, for 2029–2049 using a GIS-based framework. It examines how land cover transformation associated with rapid urban growth and educational infrastructure expansion influences flood risk. A coupled Cellular Automata–Artificial Neural Network (CA–ANN) model was applied to simulate land cover change, while Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was used to assess flood susceptibility. Land cover projections were derived from satellite imagery (2014, 2019, 2024). Validation against observed 2024 land cover produced an overall accuracy of 80.51% and a kappa coefficient of 0.62, indicating substantial predictive performance. Flood susceptibility was evaluated through weighted overlay of six biophysical parameters: land cover, slope, elevation, rainfall, distance to rivers, and soil type. Results indicate continued expansion of built-up and plantation areas, accompanied by reductions in grassland and open land. Susceptibility maps classify the area into low, medium, and high zones. Projections suggest a gradual decline in high-susceptibility areas and expansion of medium-susceptibility zones between 2029 and 2049. This shift is associated with increased vegetation cover from plantation growth, which may enhance infiltration and moderate runoff. The findings demonstrate the dynamic interaction between urban expansion and flood susceptibility, providing spatially explicit evidence to support risk-sensitive spatial planning, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable land management in rapidly developing coastal cities.

Keywords: , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2026.1.3770Dates:
Received: 02-09-2025 Accepted: 12-02-2026 Printed: 30-06-2026 Online: 04-09-2026
Affiliations:
  • 1 Center for Studies on Disasters and Volunteerism, Universitas Sulawesi Barat, Jl. Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa, S.H., Talumung, Majene, West Sulawesi 91412, Indonesia
  • 2 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Universitas Sulawesi Barat, Jl. Prof. Dr. Baharuddin Lopa, S.H., Talumung, Majene, West Sulawesi 91412, Indonesia
  • 3 Department of Geography, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jl. Semarang 5, Malang, East Java 65145, Indonesia
Corresponding author:
  • anggit.priadmodjo@unsulbar.ac.id
Author contributions: Conceptualization, RM and AP; methodology, NRS; formal analysis, AP, AM and NFM; investigation, MAE; writing—original draft preparation, RM, NRS and AP; writing—review and editing, AM, NFM and AW. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Declaration of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Funding: This research was funded by the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sulawesi Barat, under the Internal Research and Community Service Funding Grant for 2024.Acknowledgements: This paper was authored based on a study report financed by the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sulawesi Barat, under the Internal Research and Community Service Funding Grant for 2024. The views articulated in this document are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the perspectives of the funding agency.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XV |
Geomorphology

Geomorphological mapping of steep new vineyard terraces: DJI Mavic 3M vs. Matrice T4 RTK performance with and without GCPs

1,, 2, 2, 2

Abstract: Soil erosion in steep vineyard terraces presents critical environmental challenges that require high-resolution, real-time geomorphological monitoring. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry has revolutionized this field; however, an experimental gap persists regarding the operational need for Ground Control Points (GCPs) when utilizing high-precision Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) systems in extreme geometries. This study provides a rigorous comparative analysis between the DJI Mavic 3M and the DJI Matrice T4 (Thermal) platforms under two georeferencing configurations (RTK-only direct georeferencing vs. RTK+GCP workflows). Both drones were operated under identical parameters: flown on the same day at solar noon, with an 80% longitudinal and lateral image overlap, and at a flight altitude of 40 m above ground level. Four key topographic and soil erosion derivatives were extracted in ArcGIS Pro and statistically compared cell-by-cell using raster calculator algebra: Slope Gradient, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Convergence Index (CI), and the RUSLE LS-factor. The residual analysis revealed an outstanding structural alignment between workflows, with absolute median discrepancies restricted to 0.7° for slope, 0.4 for TWI, and 0.0 for CI. Absolute coordinate tracking across 10 independent checkpoints unveiled that the non-GCP workflow behaves as a perfectly rigid photogrammetric block, introducing an identical systematic translation vector (Delta X= 0.2 m, Delta Y= 5.4 m, Delta Z= -2.8 m) with near-zero standard deviations (approx. 0.1 m) for both platforms. Because neighborhood-cell algorithms remain unaffected by this rigid displacement, the derivative geomorphological maps are morphologically identical. These findings demonstrate that for high-resolution pedogeomorphological monitoring on steep slopes, the internal positioning stability of the DJI D-RTK 3 system successfully eliminates the operational dependency on physical ground control networks. This methodological shift significantly optimizes fieldwork efficiency, safety, and operational costs without compromising scientific rigor.

Keywords: , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2026.1.3768Dates:
Received: 06-06-2026 Accepted: 30-06-2026 Printed: 30-06-2026 Online: 04-09-2026
Affiliations:
  • 1 Departamento de Análisis Geográfico Regional y Geografía Física, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
  • 2 Departamento de Análisis Geográfico Regional y Geografía Física, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain & Andalusian Research Institute in Data Science and Computational Intelligence, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Corresponding author:
  • jesusrc@ugr.es
Author contributions: JG-V: Investigation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. LC-R: Data curation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. MTG-M: Data curation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JR-C: Conceptualization, Investigation, Resources, Data curation, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Declaration of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Funding: This work was supported by Project: 101157354 — SOILCRATES; Horizon Europe (HORIZON; AMENDMENT No AMD-101157354-4). Also, parts of this research were funded by a 2021 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators from the BBVA Foundation, for which we are deeply grateful. We also acknowledge the support from projects granted by the University of Granada within the Plan Propio: (i) PP2022.EI-01, “Caracterizando la degradación ambiental en el viñedo granadino. Un enfoque multidisciplinar a largo plazo utilizando parcelas experimentales y muestreos poblacionales”; 1 (ii) PPJIA2022-58, “Caracterización hídrica del suelo en viñedos para la optimización de recursos agrícolas y ambientales”; and (iii) Proyectos Innovadores 2022–2025 de Grupos Operativos AEI-agri (Andalucía): “Creación de una herramienta DSS (Decision Support System) para el manejo sostenible del suelo en viticultura.” This research was also supported by the SOSVITI project—Sustainable Soil Management Decision Support System in Viticulture, funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges action within Horizon Europe 2030.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
Volume XV |
Various

The impact of using Google Earth Pro on the development of geography-specific competencies in different educational contexts

1,, 2, 2

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to analyse the impact of using the Google Earth Pro application on the development of Geography-specific competences among lower secondary school students. The experiment on teaching geography with Google Earth Pro was conducted simultaneously in two different educational environments, in Belgium and Romania. The study was designed as an experimental model with a pre-test and post-test applied to the entire sample, which consisted of an experimental group and a control group.
The research follows a mixed-methods approach, as the data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The statistical analysis involved the application of nonparametric tests to compare the median distribution (Mann-Whitney U test), frequency, and means between groups, as well as the calculation of the effect size (Cohen’s d) for each item.
The statistical tests validated all three research hypotheses: (1) the use of Google Earth Pro produced a significant change in the formation of Geography-specific competences; (2) Google Earth Pro had a significant impact on the development of geographical competences among lower secondary students; and (3) the effect size of the intervention—teaching geography with Google Earth Pro—was statistically significant in shaping these competences.Google Earth Pro influenced the development of competences such as the interpretation of graphic representations, the ability to construct explanatory arguments, and spatial skills in both samples (Belgian and Romanian). The comparative analysis of the two samples from Belgium and Romania, belonging to different educational contexts, revealed some differences regarding the level of spatial skill formation—Belgian students encountered greater difficulties in developing this ability. The competence of constructing explanatory arguments was better developed within the Romanian experimental group.

Keywords: , , , , ,
Full article 10.5775/fg.2026.1.3765Dates:
Received: 27-03-2026 Accepted: 30-06-2026 Printed: 30-06-2026 Online: 04-09-2026
Affiliations:
  • 1 University of Mons, Department of Education and Learning Sciences, Mons, Belgium & Technical College “Dimitrie Ghika”, Comănești, Romania & Bacău County School Inspectorate, Bacău, Romania
  • 2 University of Mons, Department of Education and Learning Sciences, Mons, Belgium
Corresponding author:
  • marioarapascu1@gmail.com
Author contributions: Conceptualization, MP and ND; methodology, MP and NP; validation, MP; formal analysis, MP; investigation, MP and NP; writing—original draft preparation, MP; writing—review and editing, MP and ND; supervision, ND. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.Declaration of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Citation:
APA 6 | Harvard 2008 | Turabian 6 | MLA 7
RIS | BibTeX
Funding: This paper is an output of the science project COLABTEACH, supported by an Marie Skłodowska Curie Action -H2020 – MSCA COFUND C2W, Grant from European Commission, grant number 101034383.Acknowledgements: Grateful thanks are given to the reviewers and editors who have helped shape this document to be readable for its audience, to all collaborating teachers who contributed to this research.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Forum geografic.
Provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License.
Open Access article.
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