GEOECOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PROTECTED AREA FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM PLANNING – THE EVIDENCE FROM THE BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA NATIONAL PARK
GEOECOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF PROTECTED AREA FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM PLANNING – THE EVIDENCE FROM THE BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA NATIONAL PARK

Summary/Abstract: The quantitative “diversity” method of the German geoecologist Hans Kiemstedt wasadopted for the needs of a geoecological evaluation and landscape planning of the Kozara NationalPark in the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be used for relaxation and recreationpurposes. The aim of this paper is to indicate that geoecology can provide spatial planners with theexpertise of landscape research, evaluation, planning and management. The method was employedto carry out landscape analysis and categorization, then the process of evaluation was done, basedon which a synthetic map of the recreation potential of the research area was created. GeographicInformation System (GIS) was used as a powerful tool that can provide a more detailed andmeaningful analysis. This study shows the importance of integration a geoecological evaluationmethod with a geographic information system in order to get such a spacious offer in which therecreation areas are situated in most favorable places without negative effects on the environment.The evaluation of the Kozara National Park recreational potential conducted on a research areacovering 3,907.54 ha leads to the conclusion that the area is mostly conditionally suitable forrecreational activities. Obtained results showed that 41.32% is suitable and very suitable forrecreation, especially distributed in central, northern, eastern, northeastern and southeastern partsof the National Park of Kozara.

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