Skip to main content
Book cover

The Geography of Slovenia pp 35–57Cite as

Landforms of Slovenia

Part of the World Regional Geography Book Series book series (WRGBS)

Abstract

Slovenia has very heterogeneous landforms because it lies at the intersection of the Alps, Dinaric Alps, Pannonian Basin, and Adriatic Sea Basin, all characterized by unique geology, tectonics, and geomorphic processes. Four major geomorphic landscape types can be defined based on their genesis. More than half of Slovenian territory has fluvial characteristics dominated by valleys and ridges. This is followed by karst terrain on roughly two-fifths of the territory, dominated by dolines, caves, and the absence of surface drainage. Glacial and coastal landscapes, dominated by glacial valleys and moraines and by coastal cliffs, respectively, are the least common types at the national scale. In addition, human activities such as mining, agriculture, and urbanization have influenced the landscape over the years, playing an important role in today’s cultural landscape as an anthropogenic landscape.

Keywords

  • Physical geography
  • Geomorphology
  • Karst landscapes
  • Fluvial landscapes
  • Glacial landscapes
  • Coastal landscapes
  • Anthropogenic landscapes

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_3
  • Chapter length: 23 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-14066-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 3.1
Fig. 3.2
Fig. 3.3
Fig. 3.4
Fig. 3.5
Fig. 3.6
Fig. 3.7
Fig. 3.8
Fig. 3.9
Fig. 3.10
Fig. 3.11
Fig. 3.12
Fig. 3.13
Fig. 3.14
Fig. 3.15
Fig. 3.16
Fig. 3.17
Fig. 3.18
Fig. 3.19
Fig. 3.20
Fig. 3.21
Fig. 3.22

References

  • Andonovski T, Ahmetaj I, Bogdanović Ž, Bognar A, Blazek I, Bugarski D, Burić M, Bušatlija I, Davidović R, Ćurčić S, Lješević M, Manaković D, Menković LJ, Martinović Ž, Miljković LJ, Mirković M, Natek K, Radojičić B, Tomić P, Zeremski M (1992) Geomorfološka karta Jugoslavije 1 : 500.000, list Zagreb [Geomorphological Map of Yugoslavia 1:500,000, sheet Zagreb]. Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti, Beograd

    Google Scholar 

  • Bavec M, Tulaczyk SM, Mahan SA, Stock GM (2004) Late quaternary glaciation of the Upper Soča River region (Southeastern Julian Alps, NW Slovenia). Sediment Geol 165(3–4):265–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2003.11.011

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bole D (2015) Spreminjanje prometne rabe zemljišč v Sloveniji [Transformation of transportation land use in Slovenia]. Georitem 25. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Breg Valjavec M (2014) Detection of former landfills in gravel plain using geomorphometric analysis and high-resolution LiDAR DTM. Acta Geogr Slov 54(1):21–40. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS54106

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Breg Valjavec M, Zorn M, Ribeiro D (2018) Mapping war geoheritage: recognising geomorphological traces of war. Open Geosci 10:385–394. https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2018-0030

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Colucci RR, Žebre M (2016) Late Holocene evolution of glaciers in the southeastern Alps. J Maps 12(1):289–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2016.1203216

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Colucci RR, Boccali C, Žebre M, Guglielmin M (2016) Rock glaciers, protalus ramparts and pronival ramparts in the South-Eastern Alps. Geomorphology 269:112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.06.039

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Erhartič B (2012) Geomorfološka dediščina v Dolini Triglavskih jezer [Geomorphosites in the Triglav Lakes Valley]. Geografija Slovenije 23. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferk M, Lipar M (2012) Eogenetic caves in Pleistocene carbonate conglomerate in Slovenia. Acta Geogr Slov 52(1):7–33. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS52101

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ferk M, Zorn M (2015) Kras – večpomenski izraz z mednarodno veljavo [Kras – A polysemous term with international recognition]. Kronika 63(3):367–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferk M, Gabrovec M, Komac B, Zorn M, Stepišnik U (2017) Pleistocene glaciation in Mediterranean Slovenia. In: Hughes PD, Woodward JC (eds) Quaternary glaciation in the Mediterranean mountains. Special publication of the Geological Society London 433. Geological Society, London, pp 179–191. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP433.2

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D, Zupančič J (2001) National Atlas of Slovenia. Rokus, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Hrvatin M (1998) Površje [Relief]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 80–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Hrvatin M (2004) Relief. In: Orožen Adamič M (ed) Slovenia – a geographical overview. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, pp 27–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Ortar J, Pavšek M, Zorn M, Triglav Čekada M (2013) The Triglav glacier between the years 1999 and 2012. Acta Geogr Slov 53(2):257–293. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS53202

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Hrvatin M, Komac B, Ortar J, Pavšek M, Topole M, Triglav Čekada M, Zorn M (2014) Triglavski ledenik [The Triglav Glacier]. Geografija Slovenije 30. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1992) Prispevek k mladokvartarni geomorfologiji v Zgornjesavski dolini [A contribution to the young-quaternary geomorphology in the Upper Sava Valley]. Geografski zbornik 32:5–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1998) Relief [Relief]. In: Gams I, Vrišer I (eds) Geografija Slovenije. Slovenska matica, Ljubljana, pp 24–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (2004) Kras v Sloveniji v prostoru in času [Karst in Slovenia in space and time]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginés A, Knez M, Slabe T, Dreybrodt W (eds) (2009) Karst rock features: Karren sculpturing. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Habič P (1988) Tektonska pogojenost kraškega reliefa zahodne Suhe krajine [Tectonically controlled karst relief in western Suha Krajina]. Acta Carsologica 17(2):35–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Horvat A (2002) Erozija [Erosion]. In: Ušeničnik B (ed) Naravne nesreče in varstvo pred njimi. Uprava Republike Slovenije za zaščito in in reševanje, Ljubljana, pp 341–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrvatin M (2016) Morfometrične značilnosti površja na različnih kamninah v Sloveniji [Morphometric characteristics of the relief on different rocks in Slovenia]. PhD thesis. Faculty of humanistic studies, Koper

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrvatin M, Komac B, Perko D, Zorn M (2006) Slovenia. In: Boardman J, Poesen J (eds) Soil erosion in Europe. Wiley, Chichester, pp 297–310. https://doi.org/10.1002/0470859202.ch25

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ivy-Ochs S, Kerschner H, Maisch M, Christl M, Kubik PW, Schlüchter C (2009) Latest Pleistocene and Holocene glacier variation in the European Alps. Quat Sci Rev 28:2137–2149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2009.03.009

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kodelja B, Žebre M, Stepišnik U (2013) Poledenitev Trnovskega gozda [Glaciation of Trnovski gozd]. E-Geograff 6. Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolega N (2015) Coastline changes on the Slovenian coast between 1954 and 2010. Acta Geogr Slov 55(2):205–221. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.1887

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Komac B (2003) Dolomite relief in the Žibrše Hills. Acta Geogr Slov 43(2):7–30. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS43201

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Komac B (2004) Dolomitni kras ali fluviokras? [Dolomite karst or fluviokarst]. Geografski vestnik 76(1):53–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Komac B, Zorn M (2005) Soil erosion on agricultural land in Slovenia – measurements of rill erosion in the Besnica valley. Acta Geogr Slov 45(1):53–86. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS45103

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kosi M (1998) Potujoči srednji vek: cesta, popotnik in promet na Slovenskem med antiko in 16. stoletjem [Traveling middle ages: road, traveler and traffic in Slovenia during antiquity and the 16th century]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Kranjc A (2005) Conglomerate karst in Slovenia: history of cave knowledge and research of Udin Boršt (Gorenjsko). Acta Carsologica 34(2):521–532. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v34i2.275

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kunaver J (1980) Razvoj in sledovi zadnje stadialne poledenitve v Zgornjem Posočju, I [Development and the traces of the last glaciation in the Upper Soča area, I]. Geografski vestnik 52:17–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunaver J (1983) Geomorfološki razvoj Kaninskega pogorja s posebnim ozirom na glaciokraške pojave [Geomorphology of the Kanin mountains with special regard to the glaciokarst]. Geografski zbornik 22:197–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunaver J (1990) Poznoglacialne morene v najvišjih delih posoških Julijskih Alp in poskus njihove datacije [Late glacial morainic material in highest parts of Julian Alps and problem of their dating]. In: Natek K (ed) Geomorfologija in geoekologija. ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana, pp 207–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Kunaver J (2004) Relief [Relief]. In: Zych B, Mihelač Š (eds) Narava Slovenije. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, pp 45–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazarević R (1981) Erozija zemljišta u Jugoslaviji [Soil erosion in Yugoslavia]. Geographica Iugoslavica 3:7–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenart S, Rajar R, Širca A (2017) Prispevek projekta VODPREG 2 k oceni posledic porušitev vodnih pregrad [Contribution of the project VODPREG 2 to assess the consequences of the water dam failure]. In: Zorn M, Komac B, Ciglič R, Tičar J (eds) Trajnostni razvoj mest in naravne nesreče. Naravne nesreče 4. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, pp 133–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipar M, Ferk M (2011) Eogenetic caves in conglomerate: an example from Udin Boršt, Slovenia. Int J Speleol 40(1):53–64. https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.40.1.7

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Menzies J (2009) Glacial geomorphology. In: Gornitz V (ed) Encyclopedia of paleoclimatology and ancient environments. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 361–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4411-3_92

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mihevc A (1998) Kraško površje [Karst surface]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 80–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Mihevc A (2001) Speleogeneza Divaškega krasa [Speleogenesis of the Divača Karst]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Mihevc A, Gabrovšek F, Knez M, Kozel P, Mulec J, Otoničar B, Petrič M, Pipan T, Prelovšek M, Slabe T, Šebela S, Zupan Hajna N (2016) Karst in Slovenia. Bol Geol Min 127(1):79–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikoš M (2000) Prodna bilanca reke Save od Jesenic do Mokric [Sediment budget of the Sava river from Jesenice to Mokrice]. Gradbeni vestnik 49(9):208–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Natek K, Repe B, Stepišnik U (2012) Geomorfološke značilnosti morskega dna, obale in zaledja [Geomorphological characteristics of the marine bottom, coast and hinterland]. In: Ogrin D (ed) Geografija stika Slovenske Istre in Tržaškega zaliva. GeograFF 12. Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Ljubljana, pp 37–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Obu J, Košutnik J, Overduin P, Boike J, Zwieback S (2016) Subterranean periglacial landforms in Ledena jama pod Hrušico cave, Slovenia. In: Proceedings of the XI international conference on permafrost. Universität Postdam, Alfred Wegener Institut, Postdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D, Plut D (2012) Aplikativna fizična geografija Slovenije [Applied physical geography of Slovenia]. Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Orožen Adamič M (2002) Geomorfološke značilnosti Tržaškega zaliva in obrobja [Geomorphological features of the Bay of Trieste and its shore]. Dela 18:143–155

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Pavšek M (2007) Ledenik pod Skuto kot pokazatelj podnebnih sprememb v slovenskem delu Alp [The Skuta glacier as an indicator of climate changes in Slovenian part of the Alps]. Dela 28:207–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Perko D (1998a) Nadmorske višine površja [Surface altitude]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 84–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Perko D (1998b) Nakloni površja [Surface inclination]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 86–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Perko D (1998c) Ekspozicije površja [Surface exposition]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 88–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Perko D, Ciglič M, Geršič M, Kladnik D (eds) (2017) Terraced landscapes. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Rainer F, Pintar J (1972) Ogrožanje tal zaradi erozije, hudournikov in plazov [Erosion, torrent and landslide threat to soil]. In: Peterlin S (ed) Zelena knjiga o ogroženosti okolja v Sloveniji. Prirodoslovno Društvo Slovenije, Zavod za spomeniško varstvo Socialistične republike Slovenije, Ljubljana, pp 21–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Šegina E, Komac B, Zorn M (2012) Influencing factors the rockwall retreat of flysch cliffs on the Slovenian coast. Acta Geogr Slov 52(2):303–334. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS52202

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Senegačnik A (2011) Pregledna karta nahajališč mineralnih surovin v Sloveniji, 1 : 400.000 [Overview map of mineral resources in Slovenia, 1:400,000]. Geološki zavod Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Senegačnik J (2013) Slovenija 1 [Slovenia 1]: Geografija za 3. letnik gimnazij. Modrijan, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Šifrer M (1959) Obseg pleistocenske poledenitve na Notranjskem Snežniku [The extent of the pleistocene glaciation on Snežnik, in Inner Slovenia]. Geografski zbornik 5:27–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Šifrer M (1965) Nova geomorfološka dognanja v Koprskem Primorju [New geomorphological findings in the littoral of Koper]. Geografski zbornik 9:5–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Šifrer M (1969) Kvartarni razvoj Dobrav na Gorenjskem [The quaternary development of Dobrave in Upper Carniola (Gorenjska) Slovenia]. Geografski zbornik 11:99–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Šifrer M (1998) Površje v kvartarju [Relief in the quaternary]. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Perko D (eds) Geografski atlas Slovenije. DZS, Ljubljana, pp 78–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Stepišnik U (2010) Udornice v Sloveniji [Collapse dolines in Slovenia]. E-GeograFF 1. Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Stepišnik U, Ferk M, Gostinčar P, Černuta L, Peternelj K, Štembergar T, Ilič U (2007a) Alluvial fans on contact karst: an example from Matarsko podolje, Slovenia. Acta Carsologica 36(2):209–215. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v36i2.189

  • Stepišnik U, Černuta L, Ferk M, Gostinčar P (2007b) Reliktni vršaji kontaktnega krasa severozahodnega dela Matarskega podolja [Relict alluvial fans of nortwestern part of Matarsko Podolje]. Dela 28:29–42. https://doi.org/10.4312/dela.28.29-42

  • Šušteršič F (1986) Model čistega krasa in nasledki v interpretaciji površja [The pure karst model and it consequences in the karst relief interpretation]. Acta Carsologica 14(15):59–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Tičar J (2015) Geomorfološke značilnosti izbranih zatrepnih dolin v Sloveniji [Geomorphological characteristics of selected pocket valleys in Slovenia]. Geografski vestnik 87(1):23–42. https://doi.org/10.3986/GV87102

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Tičar J, Komac B, Zorn M, Ferk M, Hrvatin M, Ciglič R (2017) From urban geodiversity to geoheritage: the case of Ljubljana (Slovenia). Quaestiones Geographicae 36(3):37–50. https://doi.org/10.1515/quageo-2017-0023

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Žebre M, Stepišnik U, Kodelja B (2013) Sledovi pleistocenske poledenitve na Trnovskem gozdu [Traces of Pleistocene glaciation on Trnovski gozd]. Dela 39:157–170. https://doi.org/10.43121/dela.39.9.157-170

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Zemljič M, Blažič J, Pirnat M (1970) Stanje, problemi in suvremene metode za borbu protiv erozije i bujica [State, problems and modern methods in soil and torrent erosion prevention]. Biotehniška fakulteta, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn M (2008) Erozijski procesi v slovenski Istri [Erosion processes in Slovene Istria]. Geografija Slovenije 18. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn M (2012) Geomorphic activity in flysch badlands of the Istria peninsula (SW Slovenia). Z Geomorphol 56(Suppl 3):53–79. https://doi.org/10.1127/0372-8854/2012/S-00104

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Zorn M, Komac B (2002) Pobočni procesi in drobirski tok v Logu pod Mangartom [Slope processes and the debris flow in Log pod Mangartom]. Geografski vestnik 74(1):9–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn M, Komac B (2009) Nekateri učinki bojevanja na naravno pokrajino [Some effects of warfare on natural landscape]. Geografski vestnik 81(2):9–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorn M, Kumer P, Ferk M (2015) Od gozda do gozda ali kje je goli, kamniti Kras? [From forest to forest or where is the bare rocky Karst?]. Kronika 63(3):561–574

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ZRC SAZU Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Matija Zorn, Mateja Ferk, Matej Lipar, Blaž Komac, Jure Tičar & Mauro Hrvatin

Authors
  1. Matija Zorn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mateja Ferk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Matej Lipar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Blaž Komac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jure Tičar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mauro Hrvatin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matija Zorn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Drago Perko

  2. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Rok Ciglič

  3. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Matija Zorn

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Zorn, M., Ferk, M., Lipar, M., Komac, B., Tičar, J., Hrvatin, M. (2020). Landforms of Slovenia. In: Perko, D., Ciglič, R., Zorn, M. (eds) The Geography of Slovenia. World Regional Geography Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_3

Download citation