Marin Cvitanovic

Dr Marin Cvitanovic

  • Principal Academic In Human Geography
  • Christchurch House C212, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB
UN SDGs:
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Biography

I am a geographer interested in how societies shape and are shaped by environmental change, particularly during periods of social, economic and political transformation. My research examines how processes such as post-socialism, globalisation, demographic change and climate change reshape landscapes, land use and livelihoods, and influence how communities use, value and manage their environments. I am particularly interested in how these changes affect people’s relationships with place, community and cultural identity, and in the implications for social and environmental justice.

My research spans rural and urban landscapes, from post-socialist Croatia and changing agricultural and forest landscapes to community gardens, second homes and cultural identity, as well as environmental change and natural resource management in contexts such as Kenya, Indonesia and the UK. Across these settings, I explore how environmental change is experienced and understood locally, and how differences within communities shape people’s perceptions, practices and responses...

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Favourites

  • Hamza, A.J., Esteves, L.S., Cvitanović, M., Kairo, J.G., 2023. Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 30 (7), 727-744.
  • Jajtić, K., Galijan, V., Žafran, I., Cvitanović, M., 2019. Analysing wildfire occurrence through a mixed-method approach: A case study from the croatian mediterranean. Erdkunde, 73 (4), 323-341.
  • Cvitanović, M., Lučev, I., Fürst-Bjeliš, B., Borčić, L.S., Horvat, S., Valožić, L., 2017. Analyzing post-socialist grassland conversion in a traditional agricultural landscape – Case study Croatia. Journal of Rural Studies, 51, 53-63.
  • Slavuj Borčić, L., Cvitanović, M., Lukić, A., 2016. Cultivating alternative spaces – Zagreb's community gardens in transition: From socialist to post-socialist perspective. Geoforum, 77, 51-60.
  • Cvitanovic, M., Blackburn, G.A., Jepsen, M.R., 2016. Characteristics and drivers of forest cover change in the post-socialist era in Croatia: evidence from a mixed-methods approach. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, 16 (6), 1751-1763.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Reduced inequalities

"Reduce inequality within and among countries"

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Sustainable cities and communities

"Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable"

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Life on land

"Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss"

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Journal Articles

  • Millen, C., Cvitanović, M., 2026. Second Homes and the (Re)production of Cornish Nationalism. Geographical Review, 116 (1), 39-59.
  • Buchanan, A.E.V., Andreou, D., Hodder, K.H., Toups, M.A., Gillingham, P.K., Cvitanović, M., Butler, H., Hardouin, E.A., 2025. Conservation of an isolated and genetically unique population: red squirrels on the Isle of Wight. Biodiversity and Conservation, 34 (11), 3825-3849.
  • Jackson, J.A., Stafford, R., Cvitanović, M., Cantarello, E., 2025. Predicting Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture in the Southwest United Kingdom. Sustainability Switzerland, 17 (9).
  • Stafford, R., Alexander, J., Axon, S., Boakes, Z., Cantarello, E., Croker, A.R., Cvitanović, M., Almela, V.D., Ginige, T., Harris, N., Jones, E.A., Kountouris, Y., Lilleker, D., Russell, F., Sokolnicki, J.R., Upson, S.J., Vincent, E., 2025. Evaluating post 2024 election scenarios for the UK based on political party manifestos. Plos One, 20 (5 MAY).
  • Mahanty, S., Pillay, K., Hardouin, E.A., Andreou, D., Cvitanović, M., Darbha, G.K., Mandal, S., Chaudhuri, P., Majumder, S., 2024. Whispers in the mangroves: Unveiling the silent impact of potential toxic metals (PTMs) on Indian Sundarbans fungi. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 209.
  • Olley, J., Cvitanovic, M., Ginige, T., Bunt-MacRury, L., 2024. A systematic literature review of sustainable water management in South Africa. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 10 (5).
  • Hamza, A., Esteves, L., Cvitanovic, M., Kairo, J., 2024. Global Patterns of Mangrove Resource Utilisation: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management.
  • Boakes, Z., Stafford, R., Bramer, I., Cvitanović, M., Hardouin, E.A., 2024. The importance of urban areas in supporting vulnerable and endangered mammals. Urban Ecosystems, 27 (3), 883-894.
  • Hardouin, E.A., Riccioli, F., Andreou, D., Baltazar-Soares, M., Cvitanović, M., Williams, N.F., Chevret, P., Renaud, S., García-Rodriguez, O., Hadjisterkotis, E., Miltiadou, D., Macholán, M., Odenthal-Hesse, L., Kuenzel, S., Mitsainas, G.P., 2024. Population genetics and demography of the endemic mouse species of Cyprus, Mus cypriacus. Mammalian Biology, 104 (3), 311-322.
  • Boakes, Z., Mahyuni, L.P., Hall, A.E., Cvitanovic, M., Stafford, R., 2023. Can Coral Reef Restoration Programmes Facilitate Changes in Environmental Attitudes? A Case Study on a Rural Fisher Community in North Bali, Indonesia. Human Ecology, 51 (5), 891-905.
  • Hamza, A.J., Esteves, L.S., Cvitanović, M., Kairo, J.G., 2023. Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity. International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 30 (7), 727-744.
  • Hamza, A.J., Esteves, L.S., Cvitanović, M., 2022. Changes in Mangrove Cover and Exposure to Coastal Hazards in Kenya. Land, 11 (10).
  • Lukić, A., Radeljak Kaufmann, P., Valožić, L., Zupanc, I., Cvitanović, M., Pejnović, D., Žilić, I., 2022. CROATIAN RURAL FUTURES IN 2030: FOUR ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FOR POSTSOCIALIST COUNTRYSIDE IN THE NEWEST E.U. MEMBER STATE. Geographical Review, 112 (3), 332-352.
  • Cvitanović, M., Lončar, J., Braičić, Z., 2022. “THERE IS A FEELING THAT YOUR CULTURE IS WORTH LESS” – A COMPARISON OF BRITISH AND CROATIAN STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES towards GLOBALISATION. Mitteilungen Der Osterreichischen Geographischen Gesellschaft, 164, 337-360.
  • Hardouin, E.A., Butler, H., Cvitanović, M., Ulrich, R.G., Schulze, V., Schilling, A.K., Lurz, P.W.W., Meredith, A., Hodder, K.H., 2021. Wildlife conservation in a fragmented landscape: the Eurasian red squirrel on the Isle of Wight. Conservation Genetics, 22 (4), 571-583.
  • Hamza, A.J., Esteves, L.S., Cvitanovic, M., Kairo, J., 2020. Past and Present Utilization of Mangrove Resources in Eastern Africa and Drivers of Change. Journal of Coastal Research, 95 (sp1), 39-44.
  • Jajtic, K., Galijan, V., Zafran, I., Cvitanovic, M., 2019. Analysing wildfire occurrence through a mixed-method approach: a case study from the Croatian Mediterranean. Erdkunde, 73 (4), 323-341.
  • Faivre, S., Galović, L., Sümegi, P., Cvitanović, M., Náfrádi, K., Horvatinčić, N., 2019. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Milna valley on the island of Vis (Central Adriatic) during the late Holocene. Quaternary International, 510, 1-17.
  • Jajtić, K., Galijan, V., Žafran, I., Cvitanović, M., 2019. Analysing wildfire occurrence through a mixed-method approach: A case study from the croatian mediterranean. Erdkunde, 73 (4), 323-341.
  • Cvitanović, M., Lučev, I., Fürst-Bjeliš, B., Borčić, L.S., Horvat, S., Valožić, L., 2017. Analyzing post-socialist grassland conversion in a traditional agricultural landscape – Case study Croatia. Journal of Rural Studies, 51, 53-63.
  • Pavlek, K., Bišćević, F., Furčić, P., Grđan, A., Gugić, V., Malešić, N., Moharić, P., Vragović, V., Fuerst-Bjeliš, B., Cvitanović, M., 2017. Spatial patterns and drivers of fire occurrence in a Mediterranean environment: a case study of southern Croatia. Geografisk Tidsskrift Danish Journal of Geography, 117 (1), 22-35.
  • Slavuj Borčić, L., Cvitanović, M., Lukić, A., 2016. Cultivating alternative spaces – Zagreb's community gardens in transition: From socialist to post-socialist perspective. Geoforum, 77, 51-60.
  • Cvitanovic, M., Blackburn, G.A., Jepsen, M.R., 2016. Characteristics and drivers of forest cover change in the post-socialist era in Croatia: evidence from a mixed-methods approach. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE, 16 (6), 1751-1763.
  • Cvitanović, M., 2014. Land-use and land-cover changes in the Krapina-Zagorje county from 1991 to 2011. Hrvatski Geografski Glasnik, 76 (1), 41-60.
  • Lončar, J., Cvitanović, M., 2013. Post-socialism and Environment: Change of cultural landscape in the Drava Valley and Osijek in the Last 50 Years. Sociologija I Prostor, 50 (3), 327-343.
  • Valožić, L., Cvitanović, M., 2011. Mapping the forest change: Using landsat imagery in forest transition analysis within the Medvednica protected area. Hrvatski Geografski Glasnik, 73 (1), 245-255.
  • Cvitanovic, M., 2009. (Re)constructing Balkan identities through popular music. Migracijske i Etniĉke Teme, 25 (4).

Chapters

  • Blaće, A., Cvitanović, M., Čuka, A., Faričić, J., 2024. Land Use/Land Cover Changes on Croatian Islands Since the Beginning of the Twentieth Century—Drivers and Consequences. Environmental History Netherlands. 141-165.
  • Tekić, I., Fuerst-Bjeliš, B., Durbešić, A., Radeljak Kaufmann, P., Cvitanović, M., 2024. Landscape Change and Fire Risk in the Croatian Dinaric Karst: Looking Back and Moving Forward. Environmental History Netherlands. 109-139.
  • Cvitanović, M., Fuerst-Bjeliš, B., 2018. Marginalization Between Border and Metropolis: Drivers of Socio-Spatial Change in Post-socialist Croatia. Perspectives on Geographical Marginality. 313-327.

PhD Students

  • James Jackson, (In progress)
  • Jack Olley, (In progress)
  • Amina Juma Hamza, (Completed)

Profile of Teaching PG

  • Sustainable Development in Practice

Profile of Teaching UG

  • Human Geography
  • Urban Social Geography
  • International Field Trip
  • Contemporary Topics in Geography

Invited Lectures

  • University of Porto, 01 Jan 2015 more
  • Geographical Colloquium of the University of Graz, 01 Jan 2013 more

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Anonymous peer review, 31 Mar 2022
  • Landscape Research, Anonymous peer review, 02 Feb 2021
  • Human Ecology, Anonymous peer review, 30 Apr 2020
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Anonymous peer review, 04 Aug 2019
  • Land, Anonymous peer review, 24 Jan 2018
  • Sustainability, Anonymous peer review, 11 May 2017
  • Applied geography, Anonymous peer review, 17 Jan 2017
  • Hrvatski Geografski Glasnik, Open peer review, 21 Dec 2016

Conference Presentations

  • Natures in between: Environments in areas of contact among states, economic systems, cultures and religions, Human-Environmental Interactions in Economic Transition – Case Study Croatia, 28 Jun 2017, Zagreb, Croatia
  • Natures in between: Environments in areas of contact among states, economic systems, cultures and religions, 2 ka paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Milna valley on the Vis Island (Central Adriatic), 28 Jun 2017, Zagreb, Croatia

Qualifications

  • PhD in Geography (University of Zagreb, Croatia, 2014)
  • Master of Education in Geography (University of Zagreb, Croatia, 2007)

Memberships

  • Royal Geographical Society, Fellow (2018-),
  • Higher Education Academy, Fellow (2017-),
The data on this page was last updated at 22:27 on September 26, 2026.