Prerequisits:

Second-cycle Bologna degree or a university (level VII) degree.

Content (Syllabus outline):

• Karst geodiversity and geoheritage (definition, identification and mapping, characterisation, classification, valorisation)
• Geohistorical formation of karst cultural landscapes
• Protection of karst features in the context of sustainable development
• Development of sustainable geotourism in karst landscapes globally (speleotourism, geoparks, etc.)
• Sustainable management of karst protected areas

Readings:

• Breg Valjavec, M., Dunato Pejnović, N., Draženović, M., Čonč, Š., Polajnar Horvat, K., 2022. The transboundary approach to landscape geointerpretation : challenges in interpretive planning and geoconservation. Geoheritage 14/4.
• Breg Valjavec, M., Čonč, Š., Ciglič, R., Štaut, L., Geršič, M., Pavšek, M., Stepišnik, U., 2025. A Digital Odyssey: Exploring Glaciokarst and Endangered Flora in the Dinaric Karst via Virtual Reality. Geoheritage.
• Tičar, J., Tomić, N., Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Marković, S. B., Gavrilov, M. B. (2018). Speleotourism in Slovenia: balancing between mass tourism and geoheritage protection. Open geosciences 10-1.
• Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Ribeiro, D. 2018. Mapping War Geoheritage: Recognising Geomorphological Traces of War. Open Geosciences 8/22, 385-394.
• Ciglič, R., Hrvatin, M., Komac, B., Perko, D., 2012. Karst as a criterion for defining areas less suitable for agriculture. Acta geographica Slovenica, 52-1.
• Gams, I, Gabrovec, M., 1999. Land use and human impact in Dinaric karst. International Journal of Speleology, 28-1.
• Gams, I., 2003. Kras v Sloveniji v prostoru in času. Ljubljana, Založba ZRC.
• Kaligarič, M., Ivajnšič, D., 2014. Vanishing landscape of the “classic” Karst: changed landscape identity and projections for the future. Landscape and Urban Planning, 132.

Objectives and competences:

• the use of scientific methods in solving professional problems
• communication and mastery of karst terminology
• knowledge and understanding of concepts from the history of human karst interventions (cultural landscape)
• understanding the importance of karst for man
• ability to understand the vulnerability of the karst surface and underground
• the use of acquired knowledge in practice

Intended learning outcomes:

• know the fundamentals of karst systems (natural and socio-economic)
• recognise different types of karst geoheritage and their role for socio-economic development
• understand the geotourism potential and the impact of mass tourism on karst landscape
• qualifies to think critically and creatively when evaluating anthropogenic disturbance to karst

Learning and teaching methods:

Types of learning/teaching:

• Frontal teaching
• Work in smaller groups or pair work
• Independent students work
• e-learning

Teaching methods:

• Explanation
• Conversation/discussion/debate
• Case studies
• Different presentation
• Field work (e.g. company visits)
• Inviting guests from companies

Assessment:

• Long written assignments (40 %)
• Presentations (10 %)
• Final examination (written/oral) (50 %)

Lecturer’s references:

• Breg Valjavec M., Dunato Pejnović N., Draženović M., Čonč Š. & Polajnar Horvat K., (2022). The Transboundary Approach to Landscape Geointerpretation: Challenges in Interpretive Planning and Geoconservation.  Geoheritage 14/4.
• Tomić, N., Antić, A., Marković, S. B., Đorđević, T., Zorn, M., Breg Valjavec, M. (2019). Exploring the potential for speleotourism development in Eastern Serbia. Geoheritage 11-2.
• Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Čarni, A. (2018). Human-induced land degradation and biodiversity of Classical Karst landscape: on the example of enclosed karst depressions (dolines). Land degradation & development 29-10.
• Tičar, J., Tomić, N., Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Marković, S. B., Gavrilov, M. B. (2018). Speleotourism in Slovenia: balancing between mass tourism and geoheritage protection. Open geosciences 10-1.
• Breg Valjavec, M., Zega, M., Cernatič-Gregorič, A. (2019). “Zasuli so vrtačo”: — ali kaj nam pomeni dediščina Krasa?. Geografski obzornik: časopis za geografsko vzgojo in izobraževanje 66-1.
• Breg Valjavec, M., Zorn, M., Ribeiro, D. (2018). Mapping War Geoheritage: Recognising Geomorphological Traces of War. Open Geosciences 8/22, 385-394.