Preliminary Assessment of Hydrological Heritage in North Macedonia : A Novel Contribution to Geodiversity Protection
(2025) In Geoheritage 17(2).- Abstract
This study inventories, classifies, and evaluates the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia, categorizing key features into four main groups: (1) river basins, including rivers and waterfalls; (2) springs, classified as karst and thermal; (3) natural lakes, subdivided into tectonic, glacial, landslide, denudation, and karst types; and (4) marshes. Recent measurements have shown a significant decline in the water levels of glacial lakes in North Macedonia. For example, Bogovinsko Ezero, which was once the deepest, has now been overtaken in depth by Crno Ezero. Employing geospatial analysis and the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), this research assesses 10 selected glacial lakes based on their size and hydrological significance,... (More)
This study inventories, classifies, and evaluates the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia, categorizing key features into four main groups: (1) river basins, including rivers and waterfalls; (2) springs, classified as karst and thermal; (3) natural lakes, subdivided into tectonic, glacial, landslide, denudation, and karst types; and (4) marshes. Recent measurements have shown a significant decline in the water levels of glacial lakes in North Macedonia. For example, Bogovinsko Ezero, which was once the deepest, has now been overtaken in depth by Crno Ezero. Employing geospatial analysis and the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), this research assesses 10 selected glacial lakes based on their size and hydrological significance, focusing on their vulnerability to climate change and risk of disappearance. Recent measurements have shown a significant decline in the water levels of glacial lakes in North Macedonia. For example, Bogovinsko Ezero, which was the deepest lake a decade ago, is now less deep than Crno Ezero, which is currently the deepest lake. The GAM evaluation examines each lake's Main Values (MV)—scientific, educational, aesthetic, and tourism attributes—and Additional Values (AV), including accessibility, infrastructure, and educational resources. The findings reveal significant diversity in the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia's glacial lakes. Notably, Bogovinsko Ezero achieved the highest Main Value score of 11.5, reflecting its exceptional scientific importance and aesthetic appeal, accompanied by an Additional Value of 13.0. Given the increasing risks to these hydrological objects, this work underscores the urgent need for protection measures. Overall, the research enhances the understanding of hydrological heritage in North Macedonia and provides data-driven recommendations for sustainable management and conservation strategies, integrating these water sites into broader geodiversity protection efforts.
(Less)
- author
- Aleksova, Bojana ; Milevski, Ivica ; Lukić, Tin ; Marković, Slobodan B. and Perić, Zoran M. LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025-06
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- GAM, Geoheritage, Geospatial analyses, Glacial lakes, Heritage, Hydrology
- in
- Geoheritage
- volume
- 17
- issue
- 2
- article number
- 47
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105000623234
- ISSN
- 1867-2477
- DOI
- 10.1007/s12371-025-01098-1
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 47a8400e-49cd-41ca-be55-64dc7b70236e
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-06 10:07:53
- date last changed
- 2025-08-06 10:08:50
@article{47a8400e-49cd-41ca-be55-64dc7b70236e,
abstract = {{<p>This study inventories, classifies, and evaluates the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia, categorizing key features into four main groups: (1) river basins, including rivers and waterfalls; (2) springs, classified as karst and thermal; (3) natural lakes, subdivided into tectonic, glacial, landslide, denudation, and karst types; and (4) marshes. Recent measurements have shown a significant decline in the water levels of glacial lakes in North Macedonia. For example, Bogovinsko Ezero, which was once the deepest, has now been overtaken in depth by Crno Ezero. Employing geospatial analysis and the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM), this research assesses 10 selected glacial lakes based on their size and hydrological significance, focusing on their vulnerability to climate change and risk of disappearance. Recent measurements have shown a significant decline in the water levels of glacial lakes in North Macedonia. For example, Bogovinsko Ezero, which was the deepest lake a decade ago, is now less deep than Crno Ezero, which is currently the deepest lake. The GAM evaluation examines each lake's Main Values (MV)—scientific, educational, aesthetic, and tourism attributes—and Additional Values (AV), including accessibility, infrastructure, and educational resources. The findings reveal significant diversity in the hydrological heritage of North Macedonia's glacial lakes. Notably, Bogovinsko Ezero achieved the highest Main Value score of 11.5, reflecting its exceptional scientific importance and aesthetic appeal, accompanied by an Additional Value of 13.0. Given the increasing risks to these hydrological objects, this work underscores the urgent need for protection measures. Overall, the research enhances the understanding of hydrological heritage in North Macedonia and provides data-driven recommendations for sustainable management and conservation strategies, integrating these water sites into broader geodiversity protection efforts.</p>}},
author = {{Aleksova, Bojana and Milevski, Ivica and Lukić, Tin and Marković, Slobodan B. and Perić, Zoran M.}},
issn = {{1867-2477}},
keywords = {{GAM; Geoheritage; Geospatial analyses; Glacial lakes; Heritage; Hydrology}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Geoheritage}},
title = {{Preliminary Assessment of Hydrological Heritage in North Macedonia : A Novel Contribution to Geodiversity Protection}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12371-025-01098-1}},
doi = {{10.1007/s12371-025-01098-1}},
volume = {{17}},
year = {{2025}},
}