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In this paper we introduce the term "loess pyramid" for an unusual form of relief in thick loess deposits. From a distance, the loess pyramid resembles a haystack; this is why it is known as "the haystack" by the local residents. Its erosional origin is conditional, occurring only where loess deposits are thick and gully erosion changes direction significantly. We describe a loess pyramid on a thick loess section near the Tisa (Tisza) River in Titel province, Serbia. The pyramid has a maximum altitude of 111.6 m, a width of 82 m and a length of 52 m. It is framed by two smaller gullies that belong to one hydrological system, but each has different morphological properties. The gullies output directly to the floodplain of the Tisa River, which cut the escarpment that the pyramid is set within. Given the relatively small number of references from the international and geomorphological literature on such landforms, this study represents an interesting contribution to the geomorphology of loess landscapes.

Hydrological heritage is a relatively new concept in the field of geosite assessment. The principal aim of this study is to apply M-GAM (Modified geosite assessment model) for comparative analysis of the Krupaja spring and the Žagubica (Mlava) spring, located in Homolje area, in Eastern Serbia. According to the classification of geosites of Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, these sites are on the list of protected sites (“hydro(geo)logical” heritage sites) of extraordinary national importance; however, they still have not gained necessary recognition in Serbia. Thus, their assessment according to different target groups should provide a clearer picture of their current condition. As M-GAM considers that not all indicators for evaluation of geosites are of the same importance, this paper applies two methods for comparing and determining the importance of indicators and subindicators in the model (Analytical-hierarchy process (AHP) and descriptive statistics conducted by SPSS). Also, it is assumed that different target groups will give different importance to some indicators in the model, which would result in various evaluation scores for the same geosites. The paper also provides a comparative analysis of the assessment carried out by two different target groups – potential geotourists and geoexperts. The results obtained by AHP and descriptive statistics are quite similar, which confirms the reliability of respondents’ answers and the results gained. The analyzed sites are differently positioned in the evaluation matrix, and implications are further discussed in the paper.

Estimation of water quality of Sava River (Vojvodina, Serbia) in the period 2004-2011 using Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI) IntroductionWater quality is one of the most significant factors that have to be taken into account in evaluation of sustainability of a particular region (Córdoba et al., 2010). The important aspects taken into consideration when examining the top-priority problems of water quality are the economic influence, the influence on human health, the influence on the ecosystem, the influence of the geographic area as well as the duration of the influence (Dalmacija, 2004).The quality of the watercourse at any of the points depends on several key influences: basin lithology, atmospheric influences, climatic conditions and anthropogenic influences (Shrestha, Kazama, 2007). River systems play an important role in the sustainable development of the entire environment, especially if they flow through inhabited areas (Kowalkowski et al., 2006). In order to provide the sustainability of ecological balance, the presence and quality of water are very important (Karadavut et al., 2011) and there have been more researches based upon water quality observing (Parvulescu, Hamchevici, 2010). Anthropogenic influences can cause negative consequencies in short period of time as far as water quality is concerned (Yunus, Nakagoshi, 2004), whereas waterbody pollution represents the result of human activities on one hand, and intensive urbanization development on the other hand (Dragićević et al., 2010). The organic solid load and the dynamics of its degradation are very good indicators of the anthropogenic im- AbstractA Water Quality Index (WQI) is a numeric expression used to evaluate the quality of water bodies and make it easier understood by managers. This paper aims to assess water quality of Sava River in Vojvodina (North Serbia) for the 2004 -2011 period. For this purpose authors applied: Serbian Water Quality Index (SWQI) assessment. WQI value is dimensionless, single number ranging from 0 to 100 (best quality) derived from numerous physical, chemical, biological and microbiological parameters. For the Sava River SWQI was mainly rated as very good. This study shows a clear decrease in water quality during warmer periods of the year. Additionaly, this study shows that water quality along Sava River decreases slightly downstream, of Sremska Mitrovica station but it still provides values that according to SWQI descriptive quality indicator have been defined as good (72-83) and very good (84 -89). Also, this study shows an increase of SWQI downstream of the confluence of Drina River into Sava River. This methodology includes parameters for assessment of organic loading, but does not involve parameters of heavy metals concentration.