Przegląd Geograficzny (2025) tom 97, zeszyt 1

Abstract

This paper presents the results of implementation activities aimed at reconstructing a natural riffle along the bed of the River Mierzawa at Przyłęczek, Poland, with a view to spawning grounds for brown trout Salmo trutta being restored and created.

Each species of lithophilous fish requires specific spawning conditions due to differences in reproductive biology. Thus, for instance, salmonids including brown trout bury their eggs in gravel. However, the choice of a spawning site depends on factors such as water velocity, depth, riverbed slope and sediment grain-size. These parameters are crucial for the proper incubation of eggs by the trout, which takes approximately 400 degree-days in the species in question. The appropriate grain-size allows eggs to be placed properly between gravel particles, and ensures adequate rinsing and gaseous exchange during incubation. The sizes and shapes of grains are important, as those with sharp edges can injure female fish during nest building.

High water velocity in spawning areas influences the transport of sediment, preventing the deposition of fine-sand fractions that could block spaces between gravel, and hinder water flow through the nest. Water depth, slope, flow velocity, and bottom-sediment permeability are all key to water infiltration into the spawning substrate. Deeper water and steeper slopes increase hydraulic pressure and gradients, promoting groundwater flow. Higher flow velocities can clear sediment pores, encouraging infiltration, whereas slower flows promote particle deposition, reducing infiltration intensity. Substrate permeability determines the rate and extent of water infiltration, which is vital for maintaining oxygen-rich conditions for egg incubation. Fish also avoid the shallowest depths in order to ensure that nests are protected from exposure during periods of low water.

The studied riffle’s hydrodynamic and granulometric parameters were studied so as to allow for an evaluation of its potential as a reconstructed spawning ground for brown trout in an upland stream, and verify utilisation by fish of the reconstructed spawning site. Implementation work involved enrichment of the selected section of riverbed with gravel and stones in the following quantities:

• the 8-20 mm fraction: approximately 10 tonnes

• the 20-31.5 mm fraction: approximately 50 tonnes

• the 31.5-100 mm fraction: approximately 40 tonnes

These restoration efforts were prompted by year-on-year reductions in the areas of riverbed covered by gravel, as well as an observed increase in the proportion of sand in the studied riffle’s bottom sediments, which can be considered as degrading spawning-ground parameters.

The introduced gravel was distributed to cover a larger area than before (with an existing hole in the bed below the bridge filled). The area of the active spawning ground was increased in this way. Granulometric analysis of bottom sediment, water-velocity measurements, geodetic surveys, and habitat studies were all conducted before and after the intervention.

The Sundborg diagram (Fig. 8) makes it clear that, following the riffle modification work, sediment grains in the spawning section remained stable and were not mobilised, thereby ensuring that the spawning grounds were not washed away. As a sand layer remained in place beneath the layer of gravel and stones 15-30 cm thick, the riverbed was supplemented with coarser stones to increase flow roughness and stabilise the new sediment. Sand is expected to settle upstream of the spawning grounds, where a sediment trap was created by raising the riffle crest. This trap should prove effective at retaining sand – as is confirmed by the observed reduction in water velocity. The impacts of the revitalisation work (Fig. 8) were for hydrodynamic conditions at the riffle to improve, with a stop therefore put to the unfavourable accumulation of sand in the spawning area.

Before restoration, a maximum of three nests of brown trout were observed in the middle section of the riffle, with these also characterised by low spawning efficiency – to the extent that only about 50 summer brown-trout fry were recorded annually (Fig. 10). Following restoration, five nests were observed in the first year, and eight in the second year. The number of summer brown-trout fry obtained during the first year was 287.

The restoration work yielded the following positive effects where conditions for reproduction among brown trout were concerned:

1. The improved grain size of the bottom sediment reflected elimination of a sand fraction undesirable in spawning nests. The increased grain size and reduction in amounts of sand resulted in a more homogeneous sediment composition.

2. The gravel spawning area increased in size, with the active surface expanding from 60 to 160 m². The specially-designed shape of gravel bars also introduced varied hydrodynamic conditions, protecting riverbanks from erosion and creating diverse potential spawning sites.

3. Enhanced sediment stopping was a consequence, as water velocity decreased significantly upstream of the spawning ground, encouraging sand deposition. This makes it unlikely that sand will be transported into the spawning grounds, as the upstream section now functions as a natural sedimentation trap. Hydrodynamic parameters were thus optimised in the spawning grounds as compared with the conditions pre-restoration.

4. A positive ecological impact can be said to have been exerted by the restoration efforts along the section of river, with the population of brown trout increased as a result, and biodiversity enhanced.

Keywords: spawning grounds, spawning nest, brown trout, Salmo trutta, hydrodynamic conditions, gravel-stone sediment

Michał Bień [michalmaciejbien@gmail.com], Okręg Polskiego Związku Wędkarskiego w Kielcach; Uniwersytet Rolniczy w Krakowie, Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Geodezji
Karol Plesiński [karol.plesinski@urk.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Rolniczy w Krakowie, Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Geodezji

Citation

APA: Bień, M., & Plesiński, K. (2025). Naturalne bystrza – ostoje bioróżnorodności: analiza funkcji tarliskowych dla ryb i siedliskowych dla bezkręgowców. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 11-25. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.1
MLA: Bień, Michał, and Plesiński, Karol. "Naturalne bystrza – ostoje bioróżnorodności: analiza funkcji tarliskowych dla ryb i siedliskowych dla bezkręgowców". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 11-25. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.1
Chicago: Bień, Michał, and Plesiński, Karol. "Naturalne bystrza – ostoje bioróżnorodności: analiza funkcji tarliskowych dla ryb i siedliskowych dla bezkręgowców". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 11-25. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.1
Harvard: Bień, M., & Plesiński, K. 2025. "Naturalne bystrza – ostoje bioróżnorodności: analiza funkcji tarliskowych dla ryb i siedliskowych dla bezkręgowców". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 11-25. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.1

Abstract

Contemporary anthropogenic transformations in Poland’s Tatra National Park are mainly a reflection of steadily-increasing tourist traffic. Observed transformations of relief away from tourist trails mainly coincide with the Forest Community of 8 Entitled Villages headquartered in Witów, and more precisely the timber skidding work that it engages in.

Our research sought to determine if there were any regularities to emerging transformations of the terrain as a reflection of forest management in mountain areas. Relevant analysis proceeded on the assumption that the formation of a forest road is dependent on the geological substrate across which it is routed, as well as on location in relation to such main elements of relief as slope, ridge and valley.

Our main method of study was geomorphological mapping based on a field form (Fig. 1), as well as GPS (Garmin 64s). Fieldwork encompassed the western part of the Tatra National Park, meaning the Chochołowska and Lejowa Valleys, as well as Jaroniec, with the focus being on both roads in use and those in areas where forestry work had ceased. For comparison, roads beyond the TNP boundaries were also made subject to analysis – specifically in the Polana Molkówka area. All of the forest roads studied were located within the aforesaid Forest Community of 8 Entitled Villages headquartered in Witów. The field work involved each described roads being divided into sections. The criteria for their separation involved numbers of cuts occurring in the road bed, as well as significant changes of slope.

In the sections studied, flushing was found to be the most important of the natural morphogenetic processes. However, it is difficult to determine the separate roles of flushing and ongoing forestry works in achieving transformations of landforms, as road-dredging processes bring together natural processes on the one hand and anthropopressure on the other. A significant influence in slope modelling through water erosion is exerted by heavy rainfall events occurring mainly during the pluvial season. Erosion cuts very often develop in the course of intense precipitation events, at least where permanent vegetation cover is lacking, as along forest roads and hiking trails.

Of all the factors responding to the development of erosion forms within a road, it is slope of the terrain and position in regard to slopes that play the most important role. The coexistence of these two elements within roads with unpaved ground, especially when the slope exceeds 10°, leads to water erosion of increased intensity, and hence to a deepening of road cuts and indentations.

As regards the scale of the transformation within roads being dependent on geological structure, the type of rock present in the subsoil is shown to be important to the process by which a road cut is deepened – when the weathered layer is completely elevated or cut. Within a substratum of low resistance (like shale or peat), further deepening of the road is to be observed in relation to both water run-off and timber transport. In turn, where roads are on resistant dolomites, it is diffuse water run-off and lifting of the weathered layer from the adjacent area and widening of the degraded zone that prove to be dominant. On the other hand, along most sections it is typical for type and fraction of weathering to be the factor most determining the development of cuts and road cuts.

If the intensity with which landform disturbances arise along forest roads is to be limited, it is vital for such roads to be designed correctly, with treatments applied to preserve the surface both during the period of road use and after. Slope, position in relation to a slope, geological type of substratum, weathering, and the presence of natural springs and hence a possibility of groundwater flow being intercepted should all be taken account of at the design stage of any new road. The analysed forest roads of the Chochołowska, Lejowa and Jarońca Valleys – located within the Tatra National Park or just adjacent to it near Molkówka – are very much characterised by insufficient protection against erosion, with this being true of both sections in use, and places in which skidding and timber transport have been completed.

Keywords: forest management, human impact, forest roads, transformation of relief, Tatra Mountains, Poland

Agnieszka Wojtaszowicz [a.wojtaszowicz@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Joanna Fidelus-Orzechowska [joanna.fidelus‑orzechowska@up.krakow.pl], Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie, Instytut Biologii i Nauk o Ziemi

Citation

APA: Wojtaszowicz, A., & Fidelus-Orzechowska, J. (2025). Stan i prawidłowości wykształcenia dróg leśnych w Tatrzańskim Parku Narodowym i jego otoczeniu. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 27-47. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.2
MLA: Wojtaszowicz, Agnieszka, and Fidelus-Orzechowska, Joanna. "Stan i prawidłowości wykształcenia dróg leśnych w Tatrzańskim Parku Narodowym i jego otoczeniu". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 27-47. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.2
Chicago: Wojtaszowicz, Agnieszka, and Fidelus-Orzechowska, Joanna. "Stan i prawidłowości wykształcenia dróg leśnych w Tatrzańskim Parku Narodowym i jego otoczeniu". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 27-47. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.2
Harvard: Wojtaszowicz, A., & Fidelus-Orzechowska, J. 2025. "Stan i prawidłowości wykształcenia dróg leśnych w Tatrzańskim Parku Narodowym i jego otoczeniu". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 27-47. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.2

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to develop an intelligent system for air pollution identification using neural networks. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), leveraging the analysis of surface images of selected air pollution indicators, has enabled the creation of a low‑cost‑effective and efficient method for detecting hazardous substances.

The study employs scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of two‑year‑old Scots pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) collected from representative research catchments of the national Integrated Environmental Monitoring network. These images serve as input data for a machine learning algorithm designed to classify and segment air pollution particles based on predefined attributes such as size, shape, and chemical composition. To prepare the data for machine learning, SEM images were processed using graphic software, where classified particles were assigned distinct colours, corresponding to their characteristics. The processed layers, referred to as masks, became essential components in training a deep learning model to automatically recognize and categorize pollutants.

The key innovation of this study lies in the use of a self‑learning algorithm, which optimizes the analysis of contaminants deposited on the surface of pine needles, offering a reliable approach to air pollution assessment without the need for costly traditional measurement devices. The neural network employed in this study was structured with multiple convolutional layers, allowing it to capture intricate details within the images during training. These layers extract essential features from the images and apply them to generate segmentation masks that highlight the presence of pollution particles. By associating input pixels with their corresponding features and comparing them to pre‑labeled masks, the model continuously adjusts its parameters, thereby improving its predictive accuracy over time. The system achieved an 80% prediction accuracy, demonstrating its potential as a reliable tool for identifying air pollutants.

The analysis of pine needles serves as a bioindicator‑based approach to monitoring air pollution, complementing existing measurement techniques. The pine needles, sampled from various locations experiencing different levels of anthropogenic pressure, provide insight into the regional variations in pollution levels. The chemical composition of the particles adhered to the needles was analysed using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), which allowed for a more detailed understanding of the pollutants’ origins.

The study identified key contaminants such as mineral dust, industrial particulate matter, metallic spherules, and fine atmospheric aerosols. One of the most significant findings of this research is the ability of the AI‑powered system to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic pollution sources. The model was trained to recognize four distinct categories of pollution, each represented by a specific colour in the processed masks: green for stomatal surfaces, yellow for sharp‑edged industrial particles, red for magnetic spherules, and blue for fine mineral dust. This classification system ensures precise pollutant identification, which is critical for environmental monitoring and policy‑making. The integration of deep learning techniques into environmental studies marks a shift toward more advanced and automated pollution assessment methods. Traditional air quality monitoring relies on complex and expensive measurement infrastructure, whereas the proposed AI‑based approach provides a low‑cost and scalable alternative. The ability of the system to analyse new datasets without requiring manual preprocessing highlights its practical applicability for real‑world environmental monitoring. In future research, additional efforts will focus on refining the model to further improve its accuracy and expand its application to other vegetation types and environmental indicators. The next phase of development will also explore the quantification of specific pollutants within each identified category, enabling a more precise determination of pollution sources. By incorporating additional datasets and refining neural network architectures, this AI-driven approach could play a vital role in global air quality monitoring initiatives.

Keywords: air pollution identification, artificial intelligence, machine learning, electron microscopy, neutral ne- tworks, image analysis

Mirosław Szwed [miroslaw.szwed@ujk.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Instytut Geografii i Nauk o Środowisku

Citation

APA: Szwed, M. (2025). Inteligentny system identyfikacji zanieczyszczenia powietrza. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 49-68. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.3
MLA: Szwed, Mirosław. "Inteligentny system identyfikacji zanieczyszczenia powietrza". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 49-68. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.3
Chicago: Szwed, Mirosław. "Inteligentny system identyfikacji zanieczyszczenia powietrza". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 49-68. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.3
Harvard: Szwed, M. 2025. "Inteligentny system identyfikacji zanieczyszczenia powietrza". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 49-68. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.3

Abstract

This article analyses the impact of river regulation on the spatial development of the town of Czarny Dunajec in southernmost Poland, close to the Slovakian border. It focuses on the transformation of the Czarny Dunajec River from a multi-thread, braided system in the 19^th century through to being a regulated, single-thread watercourse in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. The study highlights how these changes facilitated urban expansion and reshaped the town’s spatial structure.

At the beginning of the study period, the river’s active channel covered 128.69 ha, and was characterised by a natural and dynamic morphology. Over time, extensive regulatory efforts, including straightening, narrowing, and the construction of sediment-control barriers, reduced the area of the active channel to 19.44 ha by 2019 – an 85% reduction. This transformation liberated considerable areas of land occupied previously by the river, making them available for development. The town’s built-up area expanded from 46.38 ha in 1863 to 185.72 ha in 2019, with much of this growth occurring within the former riverbed. Regulatory interventions effectively eliminated the risk of flooding in adjacent areas, encouraging urbanisation and the construction of infrastructure. Historical data reveal that the most major changes occurred in the mid-20^th century, when the stabilization of the river channel allowed for intensified land use in riparian zones.

However, the environmental costs of these changes were substantial. The transfor mation of the river into an artificial, narrowed channel disrupted natural habitats, reduced ecological connectivity, and had an adverse effect on biodiversity. Additionally, the decreased capacity for natural water retention increased the region’s vulnerability to drought. Urban encroachment into riparian zones further limited opportunities for ecological restoration, compounding these challenges.

The study emphasises the dual role of river regulation as both a driver of urban growth and a source of environmental degradation. While the regulation of the Czarny Dunajec River facilitated spatial development, it also had far-reaching ecological consequences. Future efforts should focus on balancing development needs with environmental protection. Renaturalisation or rewilding projects, and the establishment of buffer zones, could mitigate the negative impacts of urbanisation, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen the region’s resilience to climate-related risks.

This research contributes to the broader understanding of how river regulation influences spatial planning and environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for those managing similar challenges in other regions.

Keywords: river regulation, braided river, floodplain, spatial development, water management, Czarny Dunajec, Poland

Szymon Błaszczyk [d751388@doktorant.uken.krakow.pl], Szkoła Doktorska Uniwersytetu Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Citation

APA: Błaszczyk, S. (2025). Regulacja rzeki jako impuls rozwoju przestrzennego miasta Czarny Dunajec. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 69-85. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.4
MLA: Błaszczyk, Szymon. "Regulacja rzeki jako impuls rozwoju przestrzennego miasta Czarny Dunajec". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 69-85. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.4
Chicago: Błaszczyk, Szymon. "Regulacja rzeki jako impuls rozwoju przestrzennego miasta Czarny Dunajec". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 69-85. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.4
Harvard: Błaszczyk, S. 2025. "Regulacja rzeki jako impuls rozwoju przestrzennego miasta Czarny Dunajec". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 69-85. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.4

Abstract

Air pollution in Europe, including Poland, still exceeds the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), despite numerous systemic and legal changes. This issue is not only a significant threat to human health but also has a broad impact on the natural environment. Air pollutants are mobile and can affect various environmental components over large areas. Harmful substances inhaled by humans lead to many diseases, negatively impact nature by disrupting photosynthesis, transpiration, and respiration processes, and cause the corrosion of metals and building materials (Degórska and Bartnicki, 2011; Dąbrowiecki et al., 2015).

The cement industry in the Świętokrzyskie region, with plants in Nowiny, Ożarów, and Małogoszcz, plays a significant economic role, generating over 600 jobs. However, the activities of this industry are associated with the emission of dust and gases, which are a significant source of air pollution. The Lafarge Małogoszcz Cement Plant has been classified as one of the most environmentally burdensome plants in the region. Although data from recent years show a downward trend in emissions, these dusts still have a significant impact on the environment both locally and over greater distances through air migration (GUS, 2020; GIOŚ, 2023).

To assess the condition of the natural environment under the influence of the cement industry, biomonitoring was used, which is based on analyzing the reactions of living organisms to pollutants. This method allows for the study of changes occurring in ecosystems at different levels: cellular, individual, and population. The lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. was used in the studies, which is considered one of the best indicators of air sanitary conditions due to its ability to accumulate heavy metals proportionally to their concentrations in atmospheric dust (Jóźwiak, 2010; Traczewska, 2011).

The studies were conducted in the so-called Białe Zagłębie area, covering about 50 km², with the Lafarge Małogoszcz Cement Plant at its center. The lichens were collected from the Borecka Forest, an area with minimal industrial influence, and exposed at measurement points around the cement plant. After three months of exposure, the samples were collected and analyzed in a laboratory, where the content of elements such as Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Al, and Fe was measured.

The results showed variability in the content of elements in the lichens (Table 1), with the highest concentrations of iron (4141.4 μg·g^-1 d.w.) and aluminum (2470.3 μg·g^-1 d.w.). The lowest values were recorded for copper (0.1 to 0.8 μg·g^-1 d.w.). High concentrations of elements, especially at points closest to the cement plant, confirm the significant impact of industrial emissions on the local environment. For example, lead content ranged from 2.4 to 9 μg·g^-1 d.w., which is almost a threefold increase compared to the reference value. The average concentration values of the analyzed elements in the lichen thalli showed the following decreasing order: Fe > Al > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Co.

The spatial distribution of the analyzed elements showed two main areas of pollution concentration: one near the cement plant and another near national roads, indicating the additional impact of vehicular traffic on air quality (Fig. 4). Using the Ward clustering method, three main classes of measurement points with varying anthropogenic pressure were distinguished. Class A included points with the highest concentrations of elements, located closest to the cement plant, while Class B consisted of points located farthest away, where concentrations were the lowest. Class C included points with medium concentrations of the analyzed elements.

The studies showed that the cement industry significantly impacts air quality in the region, with the highest concentrations of pollutants near the cement plant. Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. lichens proved to be an effective bioindicator, allowing for precise monitoring and assessment of the environmental condition. The obtained data can be an important source of information for local authorities, governments, and environmental protection institutions, enabling effective actions to protect ecological systems. Knowledge about the impact of pollutants on the environment and the effectiveness of biomonitoring methods are crucial for conducting effective monitoring and environmental protection. The conclusions from the conducted studies may contribute to further development of technologies that reduce emissions and the introduction of stricter environmental standards, which in turn can improve air quality and the health of the region’s residents.

Keywords: cement industry, trace elements, dust, bioindication, lichen, bioaccumulation

Rafał Kozłowski [rafal.kozlowski@ujk.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Instytut Geografii i Nauk o Środowisku
Marta Ludew [marta.ludew.ujk@gmail.com], Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Instytut Geografii i Nauk o Środowisku

Citation

APA: Kozłowski, R., & Ludew, M. (2025). Możliwości wykorzystania porostów Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. do oceny wpływu przemysłu cementowego na środowisko przyrodnicze Białego Zagłębia. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 87-103. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.5
MLA: Kozłowski, Rafał, and Ludew, Marta. "Możliwości wykorzystania porostów Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. do oceny wpływu przemysłu cementowego na środowisko przyrodnicze Białego Zagłębia". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 87-103. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.5
Chicago: Kozłowski, Rafał, and Ludew, Marta. "Możliwości wykorzystania porostów Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. do oceny wpływu przemysłu cementowego na środowisko przyrodnicze Białego Zagłębia". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 87-103. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.5
Harvard: Kozłowski, R., & Ludew, M. 2025. "Możliwości wykorzystania porostów Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. do oceny wpływu przemysłu cementowego na środowisko przyrodnicze Białego Zagłębia". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 87-103. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.5

Abstract

Ecotourism is a sustainable tourism form that emphasizes the harmonious relationship between human and nature, with local communities playing a key role in providing services and protecting natural resources. Using semi-structured interviews conducted at various ecotourism sites in the Binh-Tri-Thien region (Central Vietnam), this study has illuminated the role of local communities in fostering ecotourism development. Communities actively contribute by offering distinctive services and products while preserving cultural values, safeguarding the environment, and fostering sustainable relationships with visitors. The findings reveal that local communities play key roles as tour guides, providers of accommodation services, and producers of handicrafts, generating income and promoting cultural exchange. However, barriers such as skill deficiencies and gender inequalities continue to limit the participation of certain groups, particularly women. While cultural and environmental preservation is given considerable attention, the risk of traditional cultural erosion remains significant, especially among ethnic minority communities. Based on these insights, the study recommends expanding the scope of research and integrating qualitative and quantitative methods to enhance the reliability of findings.

Keywords: ecotourism, community participation, qualitative analysis, geo-environmental, Vietnam

Toai Anh Le [latoai@hueuni.edu.vn], University of the National Education Commission Doctoral School; Hue University of Education
Leszek Butowski [leszek.butowski@geo.uni.lodz.pl], University of Lodz, Institute of Urban Geography
Łukasz Quirini-Popławski [lquirini‑poplawski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences
Son Hoang Nguyen [nhsonsp@hueuni.edu.vn], Hue University of Education; Institue of Open Education and Information Technology

Citation

APA: Le, T., Butowski, L., Quirini-Popławski, �., & Nguyen, S. (2025). Local Community Participation in Ecotourism Development: A Qualitative Analysis in the Binh-Tri-Thien Region, Vietnam. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(1), 105-126. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.6
MLA: Le, Toai Anh, et al. "Local Community Participation in Ecotourism Development: A Qualitative Analysis in the Binh-Tri-Thien Region, Vietnam". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, 2025, pp. 105-126. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.6
Chicago: Le, Toai Anh, Butowski, Leszek, Quirini-Popławski, Łukasz, and Nguyen, Son Hoang. "Local Community Participation in Ecotourism Development: A Qualitative Analysis in the Binh-Tri-Thien Region, Vietnam". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 1 (2025): 105-126. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.6
Harvard: Le, T., Butowski, L., Quirini-Popławski, �., & Nguyen, S. 2025. "Local Community Participation in Ecotourism Development: A Qualitative Analysis in the Binh-Tri-Thien Region, Vietnam". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 105-126. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.1.6