In mid-June 2024, The Anton Melik Geographical Institute at The Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (abbreviated in Slovenian as GIAM ZRC SAZU) conducted its first fieldwork for the Karst Firewall 5.0 project. The team inspected the terrain and held a meeting with representatives of the Municipality of Miren Kostanjevica.
The project addresses two key challenges in the program area: forest fires and forest fire management. To tackle these issues, it aims to develop innovative action plans focused on preserving the health of karst landscapes and enhancing their resilience, with a forward-looking approach.
During the initial phase of the project, GIAM ZRC SAZU team members focused primarily on compiling and preparing existing data in the office and designing analyses to assess fire hazards.
More updates on fieldwork and project activities will follow in spring.
ZRC SAZU brings extensive expertise and experience in karst landscape research and management to the project. Key contributions include:
Advanced mapping and analysis of the Karst Ecosystem:
This involves analyzing geological and relief conditions, climate characteristics, hydrological and pedological factors, and biodiversity. Innovative methods such as habitat-type mapping with drones and laser scanners will be employed.
Utilization of geoinformation technologies:
- The project team will leverage drones, thermal cameras, 3D laser scanners, and other measuring devices to monitor the ecosystem’s vulnerability and resilience to wildfires. These technologies enable precise observation and analysis of the karst region, contributing to improved risk assessment and management.
The aim is to comprehensively address the karst landscape and its response to natural disasters such as wildfires, with a focus on enhancing ecosystem resilience and adaptability.
Through these efforts, ZRC SAZU will play a crucial role in achieving the project’s objectives and strengthening the resilience of the karst area to natural disasters.
