Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Vol.

60/1 (2016), 21–34 Article

Stuttgart, March 2016

The regional geomorphology of Montenegro mapped

using Land Surface Parameters

Amaury Frankl1, T. Lenaerts1

 2, V. Spalevic3, Jan Nyssen1

1 Department of Geography, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Krijgslaan 281 (S8), B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
2 Geological Institute of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
3 Institute of Forestry, Podgorica, Montenegro

* Corresponding author: amaury.frankl@ugent.be


 

Abstract: Despite the large variability of landforms in Montenegro, no attempts have yet been made to regionalize
its geomorphology. However, Digital Elevation Models are globally availability and in recent decades we have seen
a strong increase in computation possibilities to map and quantify relief. Here, we used the Geomorphon method to
   

       
 
   
   
   
 

 
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of a regional geomorphological map of Montenegro at scale 1:800,000. In total, seven geomorphological regions
were recognized: Coastal Montenegro, High Karst, Inland Depression, Durmitor Flysch, Northwestern Highlands,
Prokletije and the Northern Cristalline Hills. Karst landforms largely dominate the geomorphology of the country,
with the occurrence of numerous dolines, uvala’s, large poljes (Gradaj, Grahovo and Njeguši) and karst plateaus
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the Geomorphon method allowed making a rapid assessment of the country’s main geomorphological characteris-



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Keywords: Digital Elevation Model, Geomorphon, Karst, Map, Njeguši polje

1 Introduction Geomorphological mapping has tremendously

  
 
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In terms of landforms, Montenegro (Crna Gora) shows based approaches and the interpretation of stereoscopic
a great variability, ranging from sand and rock coasts aerial photographs (Verstappen 2011), contemporary
(some corresponding to a ria coast), karst plateaus, large approaches focus increasingly on the use of Digital Ele-
(intra-montane) poljes, high mountains holding a (peri) 
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glacial imprint, canyons, and more; all of it comprised in gen 2013). DEMs indeed capture both the morphology
only 13 812 km² and within an elevation range of 2535 m. and the morphometry of landscapes and over the past


 
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publications in that regard. Most of these publications are $  


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morphological processes. Furthermore, many regions of 3- 
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Montenegro are not yet covered in past research. 
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© 2016 Gebr. Borntraeger Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany www.borntraeger-cramer.de

DOI: 10.1127/zfg/2016/0221 10.1127/zfg/2016/0221 $ 3.50