Landscape Development and Climate Change in Southwest Bulgaria aims to address some of the current limitations in our understanding of past Balkan climate and environment. High mountains and their ecosystems offer an outstanding opportunity for studies on the impact of climate change. The Balkan Mountains in Southeast Europe, situated at the transition between temperate and Mediterranean climate, are considered as very sensitive to historical and current global changes. The geoarchives lake sediment, peat and soil, long living trees and glaciers have been used to reconstruct the climatically-driven change of forest and treeline during the Holocene and the younger past. These processes are interrelated with complex ecological changes, as for example the seasonality of climate parameters. The landscape research approach with the analyses through multi-palaeo-geoecological proxies is new for the Balkans.

This second edition of the book Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe integrates the scientific results and expertise of the researchers from the countries in Southeastern Europe. The book consists of updated information for the topics observed in first edition and several new chapters with analysis of some problems in the mountain regions of four new for the edition countries in Southeastern European space. The general themes in the book are related to Global problems and mountain regions; Nature resources and landuse in mountain regions; Social, economic and regional problems of mountain regions; Nature protection, conservation and monitoring and Networks and strategies for mountain regions. The key topics for discussion are: Natural recourses and land use in mountain regions. Sustainable social and economic development of the mountain regions. Natural disasters and risk prevention. Spatial modeling and planning. Nature protection, monitoring and conservation. Politics and sustainable practices for development of mountain regions. Transborder and regional cooperation. Mountain regions in Southeastern Europe are characterized by unique landscape and biological diversity and great economic potential. They have function as a living space and provide different groups of ecosystem and landscape services. In social and economic aspects these regions are one of the poorest in Southeastern European countries with unused potential. Human, ecological and economic problems arising in various mountain regions have the same basic characteristics irrespective of the country. Some mountain regions are subject to specific for the conditions of the mountain and country policy for planning, development and mountain population promotion. The general goal is development of whole economy and the efficient management of natural resources and prevention of natural and tec hnological disasters. The mountain regions are one of the most threatened landscape systems in Southeastern Europe. Understanding the importance of the mountain regions and conservation of the natural heritage require scientific and institutional cooperation at all levels.

This book comprehensively presents the geography of landforms linked to periglacial processes across Europe. The landscape of the European cold climate regions, both at high latitudes and in mountainous environments, represent the lingering, minimal expression of the glaciers. In addition, periglacial elements can be found in temperate regions, where temperatures no longer favor periglacial processes, so landforms are therefore inherited from previous cold phases. The book is divided into five parts: an introductory section on climate variability responsible for periglacial dynamics across Europe; a second part including 3 blocks on periglacial landforms in southern, central and northern Europe; and a final chapter providing a more general perspective on the impact of periglacial processes on the landscape of Europe. The book offers a valuable reference guide for scientists from all disciplines interested in cold climate processes, as well as readers outside academia (territorial managers, environmentalists, mountaineers, politicians, engineers, etc.).

Glaciers have always played an important role in human history, and currently, they are carefully observed as climate change sentinels. Glacier melt rate is increasing, and its mass balance is continuously negative. This issue deserves accurate and in-depth studies in order to, adequately, monitor its state. This circumstance in fact endangers the water supply, affecting human settlements but also creating new environments allowing the colonization by pioneer communities and the formation of new landscapes. This book is subdivided into two main sections in order to deal with the two topics of worldwide research on glaciers and ecology in glacial environments. In the first one "Glaciers in the World," several reviews and studies are collected. It is an overview of glaciers, their state, and research carried out in different continents and contexts. The second section "Glacial Ecosystems" focuses, on the other hand, on glacier environments and ecological researches.

Inhalt: P. Schuster, Preface; A. Borsdorf - J. Stotter - E. Veulliet, Managing Alpine Future - an introduction Environment and Natural HazardsM. F. Price, Maintaining mountain biodiversity in an era of climate change;M. Vetter, Aspects of differentiation of global and regional climate change effects in Alpine regions;Y. Kohler, An ecological network in the Alps - new space for nature: Overview on changing nature conservation practices in the Alps;M. Mauser - M. Muerth, GLOWA-Danube: climate change and the future of water in the Upper Danube Basin;D. Dawa - D. Geneletti, Environmental impact of trekking in Trans-Himalayan ecosystems - a study of a highly visited trail in Ladakh; The Future of Tourism in a Changing Alpine EnvironmentB. Abegg - R. Burki - H. Elsasser, Climate change and tourism in the Alps;Ph. Bourdeau, The Alps in the age of new style tourism: between diversification and post-tourism?;C. Gonseth, Do snowmaking investments improve the financial situation of the ski area operation companies in the perspective of climate change?;R. Steiger, The impact of poor winter seasons on ski tourism and the role of snowmaking as an adaptation strategy;T. Luthe - R. Roth - H. Elsasser, Vulnerability to global change and sustainable adaptation of ski tourism - an outlook on the study SkiSustain Mobility - a Need and a Problem at the Same TimeH. Knoflacher, The Alps: barriers of physical", but triggers for "intellectual" mobility in Europe; R. Schleicher-Tappeser, Prospects for transport and mobility in the Alps;T. Stoiber, Sustainability of Alpine railway tunnel projects - an analysis of the Brenner Base Tunnel; T. Behnen, Accelerated change of Alpine air transport;F. Braun - M. Fiebig - A. Muhar, Development of options for action to adapt the high Alpine trail network to consequences of climate change;V. Bua - A. Oberprantacher - P.P. Pasqualoni, Researching mobility of university graduates in an Alpine region Health - a Key Factor of Quality of Life in the MountainsW. Schobersberger, Climate change as a chance for Alpine health tourism?;A. Burnand - N. Litzistorf Spina - T. Diallo - J. Simos - N. Cantoreggi, Health impact assessment: a potential tool for managing health consequences of Alpine space policies;A. Exenberger - J. Nussbaumer, Historical remarks about the impact of global change on food supply in the Alpine area during the 20th century;S. Achleitner - C. Engelhard - S. De Toffol - I. Lek - U. Stegner - W. Rauch, Risk of traffic induced contamination of the water cycle: assessment of urban snow and soil in the Tyrolean region Water and Energy - Valuable Mountain Resources for the Future of MankindW. Feist, Energy efficiency and renewable energy - the key technologies for climate change mitigation;M. Schon - S. De Toffol - B. Wett - H. Insam - W. Rauch, Comparison of renewable energy resources in Alpine regions;D. Vanham - S. De Toffol - E. Fleischhacker - W. Rauch, Water demand for snowmaking under climate change conditions in an Alpine environment Culture - an Important Component of a Sustainable Future in the Alps W. Batzing, Alpine culture as a key factor for sustainable development in the Alps;E. Steinicke, The impact of current demographic transformation on ethno-linguistic minori-ties in the Alps;W. Pfefferkorn - S. Rauzi, "Future in the Alps: getting knowledge across - networking people Steering a Sustainable Future: Spatial Planning and Development L.A.G. Moss, Amenity-led change in mountain regions: maintaining ecological integrity of the distant brought nearby;G. Weber - W. Seher, Considerations on the future of agriculture in Austrian Alpine areas;C. Geitner - M. Tusch, Soil evaluation for planning procedures: providing a basis for soil protection in Alpine regions;K. Grunewald - J. Scheithauer, What can mountain regions in Southeast Europe learn from the Alps? Tourism vs. National Park in Bansko/Pirin, Bulgaria;M. Muerth - W. Mauser, Implications of a regional scale soil temperature and freezing model in the Upper Danube Basin for climate change scenarios;K. Grunewald -J. Scheithauer, Holocene climate and landscape history of the Pirin Mountains (Southwest Bulgaria

Discussing the ways that scientists have observed and modeled glaciers, this volume tells how climate change is altering their size and distribution, and looks closely at their effect on human life. Glaciers are important water and energy sources for those living in mountains and adjacent lowlands, as well as increase the hazards of flooding and landslides. In addition to investigating these issues and considering an array of possible responses, the contributors assess the cultural and spiritual impact of glacier retreat in this timely, comprehensive work on one of the most urgent and conspicuous consequences of global warming.

European Glacial Landscapes: Maximum Extent of Glaciations brings together relevant experts on the history of glaciers and their impact on the landscape of the main regions of Europe. In some regions the largest recorded glaciations occurred before the Last Glacial Cycle, in one of the major glacial cycles of the Middle Pleistocene. However, the best-preserved evidence of glaciation in the landscape is from the Last Glacial Cycle (Late Pleistocene). The book also analyses these older glacial landforms that can sometimes still be seen in the landscape today. This analysis provides a better understanding of the succession of Pleistocene glaciations and the intervening interglacial periods, examining their possible continental synchrony or asynchrony of past glacier behaviour. The result of this analysis gives important new insights and information on the origin and effects of climatic and geomorphological variability across Europe. European Glacial Landscapes: Maximum Extent of Glaciations examines the landscapes produced by glaciers throughout Europe, the geomorphological effects of glaciations, as well as the chronology and evolution of the past glaciers, with the aim of understanding the interrelationship between glacial expansion and climate changes on this continent. This book is a valuable tool for geographers, geologist, environmental scientists, researchers in physics and earth sciences. Provides a synthesis that highlights the main similarities or differences, through both space and time, during the maximum recorded expansions of Pleistocene glaciers in Europe Features research from experts in glacial geomorphology, palaeo-glaciology, palaeo-climatology and palaeo-oceanography on glacial expansion in Europe Includes detailed color figures and maps, providing a comprehensive comparison of the glacial landscapes of European Pleistocene glaciers