The LANDCON conference was opened by Prof Dr. Nada Dragovic, Deputy Minister for Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Dr. Li Rui, President of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, Dr. Jose Luis Rubio, Immediate Past President of European Society of Soil Conservation, Dr. Milan Medarevic, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Prof Dr. Miodrag Zlatic, president of Conference Organizing Committee. The topic of conference was “Sustainable land management and climate changes”. The papers were presented during three days in 6 topics (1) Land Degradation, (2) Land Conservation, (3) Impact of Climate Change on Environment, (4) Socio Economic Aspects of Land Degradation and Land Conservation, (5) Implemented Global/Regional/ National Projects, and (6) Education in Land Conservation. The excursion on September 19th in Derdap gouge gave opportunity to the participants to visit professional sites (Hydropower plant Derdap, regulation of torrents, canyon of Boljetinska river) as well as cultural sites (Lepenski Vir, Kovilovo, ethno farm). Presentations of student works were held on the fourth day of Conference followed by plenary session giving the general guidelines and closing the conference.
 
Some conclusions are as follows: Torrential floods are one of the greatest threats in hilly-mountainous regions which are not usually documented. The database on torrential floods is needed for torrential flood risk management. The integrated watershed management is the best way to protect soil and water resources. From the point of view of climate changes the papers mainly presented their influence on forests including changes on woody species, then possibilities of protection, adaptation of certain species on climate changes and possibilities of protection against new diseases. It is recommended to focus the future investigations on interaction between climate changes and land use for double purpose (1) to understand and determine degradation processes (2) to determine directions of sustainable water and soil resources management taking into account effects of climate changes in the past and nowadays. In respect of socioeconomic aspects paper presentations showed apparent progress in methodological approaches for assessment of socioeconomic dimensions of sustainable land use. Land protection should be oriented to the needs of individuals and society including longterm economic effetcs and natural resources protection.
 
In the topic Education in Land Conservation there were 8 student presentations which were useful for students to develop their professional and public appearance skills and to present their work to the international auditorium. It is concluded that this session is needed in future LANDCON conferences in order to encourage future experts.
This event numbered 46 domestic and 27 foreign participants.
 
     

                                                                           Field tour