Note: Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Contributors -- Part I Global Problems and Mountain Regions -- 1 Scientific Research Basis for Sustainable Development of the Mountain Regions: Main Concepts and Basic Theories -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Research Base for Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions -- 1.3 PSR and DPSIR Models Require Transdisciplinarity -- 1.4 Conclusions -- References -- 2 Solar Activity Climate Change and Natural Disasters in Mountain Regions -- 2.1 Background -- 2.2 Heliocentric Hypothesis on Forest Fires -- 2.3 Conclusion -- References -- 3 Mass Movement Processes Under Changing Climatic and Socioeconomic Conditions -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 The Matrix of Mass Movement Processes and Triggering Parameters -- 3.2.1 Basics -- 3.2.2 The Event of 2005 (Communities of Gasen and Haslau, Austria) -- 3.3 Climate Change Facts and Assumptions -- 3.4 Socioeconomic Development and Rising Disadvantages -- 3.5 Working with Scenarios -- An Approach -- 3.6 Conclusions -- References -- Part II Nature Resources and Land Use in Mountain Regions -- 4 Mountains and Mountain Regions in Bulgaria -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 Arguments -- 4.3 Criteria -- 4.4 Results -- 4.5 Conclusion -- References -- 5 The Natural Potential of Mountains in Bulgaria and Its Sustainable Use -- 5.1 Former Studies on the Natural Potential of the Mountains in Bulgaria -- 5.2 Assessment of Natural Potential by Components for Various Economic Purposes -- 5.2.1 Assessment of Relief -- 5.2.2 Assessment of Climate -- 5.2.3 Assessment of Water -- 5.2.4 Assessment of the Soils, Vegetation and Animal World -- 5.2.5 Complex Assessment of Mountain Landscapes -- 5.3 Assessment of the Possibilities for Sustainable Utilization of the Natural Potential of the Mountains -- 5.4 Conclusion -- References -- 6 Morphometry and Land Use on the Mountains in Republic of Macedonia. , 6.1 Introduction -- 6.2 Methodology -- 6.3 Basic Morphometric Characteristics -- 6.4 Basic Land-Use Characteristics -- 6.4.1 Hypsometry and Land Use -- 6.4.2 Slopes and Land Use -- 6.4.3 Aspects and Land Use -- 6.5 Conclusion -- References -- 7 Usage of the Mountain Areas in the Republic of Macedonia -- 7.1 Introduction -- 7.2 Population as a Precondition for Area Usage -- 7.3 Size of Villages According to Population Number -- 7.4 Usage of the Areas of Mountain Villages -- 7.5 Conclusion -- References -- 8 Landscape Structure and Ecosystem Services of Etropole Municipality -- 8.1 Introduction -- 8.2 Study Area -- 8.3 Materials and Methods -- 8.4 Results -- 8.5 Conclusion -- References -- 9 Evaluation of the Avalanche Danger in Northwest Rila Mountain -- 9.1 Introduction -- 9.2 Avalanche and Avalanche Danger -- 9.3 Conclusions -- References -- 10 Management of Snow Avalanche Risk in the Ski Areas of the Southern Carpathians-Romanian Carpathians -- Case Study: The Bâlea (Fagaras Massif) and Sinaia (Bucegi Mountains) Ski Areas -- 10.1 Introduction -- 10.2 General Facts of the Studied Area -- 10.3 Terrain and Climatic Analysis as Favourable Elements for Ski Practices -- 10.3.1 Terrain Factors -- 10.3.2 Climatic Variables -- 10.4 The Management of Snow Avalanche Risk -- 10.5 Conclusions -- References -- 11 BEO Moussala -- A New Facility for Complex Environment Studies -- 11.1 Introduction -- 11.1.1 Climate Notes -- 11.1.2 The Station Chronology -- 11.2 Environmental Measurements at BEO Moussala -- 11.2.1 Automatic Weather Station (AWS) -- 11.2.2 Atmospheric Gas Analysis System -- 11.2.3 BEO Moussala Aerosol Measurement and Devices -- 11.2.3.1 Scanning Mobility Particles Sizer -- 11.2.3.2 Nephelometer TSI3563 -- 11.2.4 System for Measurements of Radioactivity in Aerosols -- 11.2.5 BEO Moussala Gamma Background Measurement. , 11.3 Cosmic Ray Research at BEO Moussala -- 11.3.1 Muon Telescope -- 11.3.2 Neutron Flux Meter -- 11.3.3 SEVAN -- 11.3.4 Cerenkov Light Telescope -- 11.4 Telecommunication and Information System INRNE-BEO -- 11.5 The BEO Moussala and the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) Data -- 11.6 Environmental and Ecotoxicological Investigations at the Vicinity of BEO Moussala -- 11.7 Conclusion -- References -- 12 Researches of Field Evidence for Late Quaternary Climate Changes in the Highest Mountains of Bulgaria -- 12.1 Introduction -- 12.2 Bulgarian Mountains -- A Target Area for Paleoclimatic Researches -- 12.3 Types of Indicators and Research Methods -- 12.4 Previous Geographical Studies in Rila and Pirin -- 12.5 Our Latest Research Review of Achieved Results -- 12.5.1 Researching Environmental Conditions of the Past -- The Glacial Evidence -- 12.5.2 Monitoring of Present Geomorphic and Hydrological Processes -- 12.6 The Future -- Prospects and Expectations -- 12.7 Conclusion -- References -- Part III Social, Economic and Regional Problems of Mountain Regions -- 13 Demographic Potential and Problems of the Settlements Network in the Mountains of Bulgaria -- References -- 14 Demographic Limits to Sustainable Development ofINTtie -- Mountain Regions inINTtie -- Serbia -- 14.1 Introduction -- 14.2 The Analysis -- 14.3 The Future -- 14.4 Instead of Conclusion -- References -- 15 Regional Differences and Regional Planning of Economic Activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina -- 15.1 Introduction -- 15.2 Methodology of Research -- 15.3 Socio-economic Transformation and Regional Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Mid-20th Century -- 15.4 Modern Regional Development of Bosnia and Herzegovina -- 15.5 Conclusion -- References -- 16 On the Sunny Side of the Alps: Slovenian Mountains and Their Perspectives. , 16.1 The Characteristics of the Mountain Areas in Slovenia -- 16.1.1 Definition of the Mountain Areas in Slovenia -- 16.2 Mountain Policy in Slovenia -- 16.2.1 Agriculture -- 16.2.2 Forestry -- 16.2.3 Mining -- 16.2.4 Tourism -- 16.2.5 Protected Areas -- 16.2.6 Natural Hazards and Measures -- 16.2.7 Traffic -- 16.2.8 NGO Participation in the Mountain Areas -- Bibliography -- 17 Impact of Macroeconomic Changes and Property Rights on Forest Degradation, Land Use and Environmental Situation in Albania -- 17.1 Historical Land Tenure in Albania -- 17.1.1 Privatization of Agricultural Land -- 17.2 Main Land Tenure Issues -- 17.2.1 Land Fragmentation -- 17.3 Effects of Land Reforms on Land Use in Albania After 1991 -- 17.3.1 Land Cover -- 17.3.2 Forest Degradation -- 17.3.3 Pasture Degradation -- 17.4 Conclusions -- References -- 18 Sustainable Development in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains: PresentINTtie -- State andINTtie -- Perspectives -- 18.1 Introduction -- 18.2 The Eastern Black Sea Region -- 18.2.1 Settlement System -- 18.2.2 The Economy -- 18.3 The Eastern Black Sea Regional Development Plan (DOKAP) and Sustainable Mountain Development -- 18.3.1 Legislative Basis -- 18.3.2 Design -- 18.3.3 Objectives, Rationale, and General Description -- 18.3.4 Financing -- 18.3.5 Administration of the Plan -- 18.4 The Project Achievements -- 18.4.1 Accessibility and Mountain Development -- 18.4.2 Tourism and Mountain Development -- 18.4.3 The Ka231kar Mountains National Park: A Model for Sustainable Mountain Development -- 18.5 Conclusion -- References -- 19 Changes in the Ethnic and Demographic Profile of the Population in Eastern Stara Planina Region -- 19.1 General Notes -- 19.2 The Turkish Ethnic Group -- 19.3 The Bulgarian and the Roma Ethnic Groups -- 19.4 Classification and Grouping -- References -- Part IV Nature Protection and Conservation. , 20 Applying Integrated Nature Conservation Management: Visitor Management and Monitoring of Winter Recreation Activities Focusing Grouse Species in Berchtesgaden National Park -- 20.1 Introduction and Background -- 20.2 Study Area and Objects -- 20.3 Protected Area Berchtesgaden National Park -- 20.4 Winter Recreation: Ski-Touring and Snow-Shoeing -- 20.5 Wildlife: Grouse Species -- 20.6 Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Ski-Touring and Snow-Shoeing -- 20.7 Visitor Numbers and Temporal Performance Pattern -- 20.8 Spatial Presence -- 20.9 Conflicts and Integrated Management Measures -- 20.10 Outlook -- References -- 21 Human Pressure on the Environment in the Munii Maramureului Natural Park -- 21.1 Introduction -- 21.2 Human Impact in the Munii Maramureului Natural Park -- 21.2.1 Settlements Expansion -- 21.2.2 Over-Grazing -- 21.2.3 Deforestation -- 21.2.4 Mining Activities -- 21.2.5 Tourist Activities -- 21.3 Conclusion -- References -- Part V Networks and Strategies for Mountain Regions -- 22 Models and Strategies for Sustainable Management of Mountain Territories in Central and Southeastern Europe -- 22.1 Introduction -- 22.2 Specific Mountain Legislation -- 22.2.1 Mountain Law in Southeast European Countries -- 22.3 Regional Conventions -- 22.3.1 Alps Convention -- 22.3.2 Initiative Carpathian Ecoregion (Carpathian Convention) -- 22.4 Transborder Initiatives between Bulgaria and Neighbour Countries -- 22.4.1 Transborder Ecological Network between Bulgaria and Greece -- 22.4.2 Euroregion in Western Balkan Mountain between Bulgaria and Serbia -- 22.4.3 Green Network Strandzha/Yildiz between Bulgaria and Turkey -- 22.4.4 International Cooperation of Bulgarian Mountain Regions -- 22.4.4.1 Centres and Programmes for Education -- 22.4.4.2 Funding -- References. , 23 Science Networks for Global Change in Mountain Regions: The Mountain Research Initiative.