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| RIJEČ UREDNIŠTVA | ||
| Uredništvo HŠD | 317 | |
| Forest office – basic organizational unit of forestry |  
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| This year, Croatian forestry marks the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the first forest offices. It is widely known that these were the forest offices of Oštarije, Krasno, and Petrova Gora. To this day, only Krasno Forest Office has continuously existed since its establishment. However, the remaining two forest offices did not disappear, but only changed their headquarters’ locations. Oštarije Forest Office moved down to the coast in Karlobag, while Petrova Gora Forest Office moved out of the forest to the town of Vojnić, although half of the forests of Petrova Gora are managed by the forest offices of Gvozd and Topusko, so it can be said that they are also successors to one of the first three forest offices. The first forest offices were established as part of the military structure of the Croatian Military Frontier, which lasted for the next hundred years. These forest offices were transitioned into the civil system with the demilitarization of the Military Frontier in the early 1870s. In the civilian part of Croatia, forest offices were mostly established by large forest landowners, and to a lesser extent by the state, which did not possess large forest complexes in that area, and later by some municipalities for their own forests. It is worth recalling what forest offices as basic organizational units of forestry represent. By examining the preserved forestry maps from the 18th and 19th century, it is evident that the headquarters of forest offices were chosen in the heart of forest complexes. After the construction of the railway network, it became an important factor in choosing the headquarters of a forest office. The organization of forest offices for state forests was created in the 1870s in the territory of the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, excluding Istria and Dalmatia. It comprised 43 forest offices with an average area of 15,000 hectares. The initial organization was further developed by establishing forest offices for municipal forests, which were separated from state forests. Thus, in 1923, the number of forest offices had grown to 79, with some locations having two forest offices – one for state forests and another for municipal forests. The average area of the forest office decreased to 9,000 hectares. At the beginning of 1942, after the dissolution of municipal forests and their return to state ownership, the number of forest offices increased to 102, with part of Dalmatia also being included in the forest area. The trend of growth continued after World War II with an increase in the area of state forests, and in 1952, within nine forest management units located from Ilok to Dubrovnik, the number of forest offices rose to 138. The maximum number of 187 forest offices within the territory of Croatian today’s borders was reached in 1955, when forest offices operated as institutions with independent financing, without forest management units. With the re-establishment of forest management units in the early 1960s, the number of forest offices stabilized, since there were no longer frequent reorganizations like in the previous 15 years. In most cases, practice showed that frequent changes did not bring any improvement, so former solutions were reinstated. With the establishment of Croatian Forests, a unified company for the management of forests and forest land in the Republic of Croatia, the number of forest offices in 1991 was 167. Today, the number is slightly higher, with 169 existing forest offices and an average forest office area of 12,000 hectares. Excluding 26 forest offices from Istria and Dalmatia, the average area per forest office is slightly less than 10,000 hectares. This is 5,000 hectares less than the average size of a forest office in 1873. The working conditions and tasks of a forest office over the past century and a half have changed significantly. In its early days, the main role of the forest office was to protect forests from illegal and unplanned logging, which is why most of the staff were forest guards. Over time, the role of the forest office evolved, and the need grew for educated forestry employees capable of performing all forest-related tasks. Thus, the forest office has always had a significant social role in the local community. Nowadays, when we observe negative demographic trends in Croatia, reducing the number of forest offices would only support the negative trend in rural areas. Closing forest offices in smaller communities would further reduce the motivation to live in those places, where even post offices, schools, and shops are disappearing. Although the days are gone when the most respected people in the village were the teacher, the priest, and the forester, the role of the forester in smaller communities is still significant. Today, foresters are among the few citizens of Croatia whose work covers all areas of the country, including border regions, which strengthens their role in overseeing the territory, especially with the construction of forest roads and firebreaks. In the territorial organization of the state, forest offices play an important role in the forestry sector, which is why the abolition of, for example, Čakovec Forest Office, the only forest office in Međimurje County, would reduce forestry in that county to the level of a district manager, which lacks the institutional strength and cannot represent either the profession or the forestry sector as a forest office manager can. Regardless of changes of states, social systems, types of forest ownership, and the organization of forestry, forest offices have always been and will remain the basic units responsible for performing operational tasks in the field. The stability of their existence guarantees greater dedication to the primary role of forestry in sustainable forest management. For all these reasons, let us preserve forest offices. They are proof of our presence in all parts of our homeland. Editorial Board |
authors: Uredništvo HŠD | |
| IZVORNI ZNANSTVENI ČLANCI | ||
| Krunoslav Sever, Filip Milaković, Antonia Vukmirović | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.1 |
319 |
| Impact of drought on photosynthetic pigments in leaves of common beech and sessile oak, as well as on return calibration of chlorophyll meter MC-100 |
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| The goals of this study were to investigate the effects of species and drought on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) and their reciprocal ratios in the leaves of common beech and sessile oak. Additionally, the study aimed to assess how drought influences the accuracy of non-destructive estimates of total chlorophyll concentration using a portable optical chlorophyll meter (MC-100). The research was conducted on natural saplings of common beech and sessile oak, which were regularly watered during the 2022 growing season and exposed to drought during the 2023 growing season. Leaves were collected from these saplings in both years, and the chlorophyll index was measured in situ using the chlorophyll meter. The collected leaves were then analyzed in the laboratory to determine their morphological traits and the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, specifically chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophylls (which are crucial for electron and/or energy transfer within photosystems I and II), and carotenoids (which primarily protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photooxidative damage). Given that common beech exhibits more mesophilic traits while sessile oak shows more xerophytic traits, it was hypothesized that drought would have a more pronounced negative effect on the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in common beech compared to sessile oak leaves. The results of factorial ANOVA and descriptive statistics indicated that drought led to a decrease in chlorophyll concentration and an increase in carotenoid concentration in the leaves of both species. However, during the dry year of 2023, the increase in carotenoid concentration was more pronounced in common beech compared to sessile oak, while chlorophyll concentrations and the reciprocal ratios of chlorophyll to carotenoid concentrations were similar in the leaves of both species. This suggests that enhanced carotenoid production during dry periods may help common beech mitigate photooxidative damage to chloroplasts and/or counteract a significant decrease in chlorophyll concentration. Consequently, it is possible that common beech maintains its competitiveness relative to the more drought-resistant sessile oak due to its more efficient carotenoid production during drought. The results of ANCOVA and regression analysis revealed that the year or drought did not significantly affect the parameters of the calibration equations describing the relationship between the chlorophyll index and total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of common beech and sessile oak. This implies that the chlorophyll meter MC-100, when used with appropriate calibration equations, is a reliable tool for estimating total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of both species, irrespective of drought conditions. The results from factorial ANOVA and descriptive statistics indicated that drought led to a decrease in chlorophyll concentration and an increase in carotenoid concentration in the leaves of both species. However, during the dry year of 2023, the increase in carotenoid concentration was more pronounced in common beech compared to sessile oak, while chlorophyll concentrations and the reciprocal ratios of chlorophyll to carotenoid concentrations were similar in the leaves of both species. This suggests that enhanced carotenoid production during dry periods may help common beech mitigate photooxidative damage to chloroplasts and/or counteract a significant decrease in chlorophyll concentration. Consequently, it is possible that common beech maintains its competitiveness relative to the more drought-resistant sessile oak due to its more efficient carotenoid production during drought. Results from ANCOVA and regression analysis revealed that the year or drought did not significantly affect the parameters of the calibration equations describing the relationship between the chlorophyll index and total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of common beech and sessile oak. This implies that the chlorophyll meter MC-100, when used with appropriate calibration equations, is a reliable tool for estimating total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of both species, irrespective of drought conditions. |
authors: Krunoslav Sever ŠL Filip Milaković Antonia Vukmirović | |
| Matej Knezičić, Toni Spitz, Ivan Juraj Čehulić, Karlo Bukal, Kristijan Tomljanović | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.2 |
331 |
| Ornithofauna in the first age class of the pedunculate oak forest in Central Posavina |
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| The first age class of even-aged managed forests, which includes stands up to 20 years old, shows significant differences in habitat conditions compared to older age classes, making it a suitable habitat for certain bird species. To assess the suitability of these habitats, a study of the ornithofauna was conducted in the first age class of pedunculate oak forest within Opeke Forest Management Unit, which is a part of the lowland forest complex of Lonjsko Polje. Monitoring was carried out using a combination of visual and audio identification methods alongside camera traps. The study was conducted from April to June 2023. The monitoring confirmed the presence of 19 bird species, two of which (collared flycatcher and red-backed shrike) are listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. During the monitoring, a common buzzard was observed flying over the area, and it regularly perched on the edge trees of nearby stands, observing the surface of the study area. The presence of great spotted woodpecker throughout the study suggests that young pedunculate oak stands may meet some of its habitat requirements. Forest edge bird species, such as the red-backed shrike, are among the most threatened bird groups in Europe, with suitable habitats decreasing due to intensified agricultural activities. The occurrence of the red-backed shrike indicates the potential of young forest stands as alternative habitats for these bird species. The presence of these species in the first age class stand suggests that forest regeneration through shelterwood cutting can create partially suitable habitats for these species. Floodplain forest ecosystems like Lonjsko Polje cannot fully replace the primary habitats of these species. However, certain endangered species were found to use the first age class as their habitat. During the planning of management activities, it would be advisable to avoid sensitive stages for bird development. This study highlights the importance of understanding and preserving the ornithofauna in young pedunculate oak stands. Expanding knowledge about these ecosystems could contribute to the development of more effective forest management guidelines that support biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species. |
authors: Matej Knezičić Toni Spitz Ivan Juraj Čehulić ŠL Karlo Bukal Kristijan Tomljanović ŠL | |
| Marina Škunca, Sanela Damjanović, Oleg Antonić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.3 |
341 |
| Presence of invasive alien vascular plant species in the selected Natura 2000 sites in Croatia |
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| The Natura 2000 (N2000) ecological network, one of the most important tools for preventing further biodiversity loss in the European Union and the world’s largest coordinated network of protected areas, is affected by the spread of invasive alien vascular plant taxa (IAPs). The aim of this research was to gain first insights into (1) the presence of IAPs in the selected Croatian N2000 sites designated under the Habitats Directive, and determine (2) potentially the most vulnerable sites. IAPs were recorded in 233 out of 373 of the selected N2000 sites (62%), while 76 of the total 77 IAPs recorded at the time for entire Croatia (99%) were documented in at least one site. In all but one N2000 site in which they were recorded, the IAPs had potentially suitable habitats for the establishment and spread of their populations. Additionally, 92% of the IAPs had potentially suitable habitats in all N2000 sites where they were recorded. In 94% N2000 sites where IAPs were recorded and target habitats were present, at least one recorded IAP could potentially threaten the target habitat(s). Eight species were considered as the potentially most worrisome IAPs recorded in Croatian N2000 sites, while ten sites were identified as the potentially most vulnerable. Avenues for additional research were identified, which could contribute to the improvement of management strategies and the conservation of target species and habitats in Croatian Natura 2000 sites. |
authors: Marina Škunca Sanela Damjanović Oleg Antonić ŠL | |
| Antonio Vidaković, Marijan Vuković, Ana Vuković, Matija Magdić, Valentina Gašparović, Igor Poljak | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.4 |
353 |
| Evaluation of fruit and leaf morphological variability in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) Dinaric Alps populations |
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| The Dinaric Alps, including the Velebit Mountain in Croatia, are recognized for their rich plant biodiversity, including Arctic-alpine species like bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Ericaceae). This study investigates the morphological diversity of bearberry populations in the northern Dinaric Alps, focusing on fruit and leaf traits across three populations. Morphometric analysis of fruits and leaves revealed moderate variability, with leaves exhibiting higher variability than fruits. Significant correlations were found among both leaf and fruit traits, as well as between them, suggesting a linked growth pattern. Furthermore, contrary to our expectations of significant population differentiation due to the rugged montane terrain and the origin of the studied populations from different altitudes, 100% of the variability was attributed to within-population differences. This likely results from effective gene flow between populations, facilitated by wildlife species and traditional pastoral practices on the Velebit Mountain. Additionally, the lack of inter-population variability can be attributed to recolonization processes after the last glaciation, which suggest a shared regional origin of the studied populations. Although the studied populations originate from different altitudes, we did not detect a phenotypic plasticity with respect to this gradient. The lack of plasticity in the studied bearberry populations could be due to several reasons: the inherent stability of structural characteristics in response to environmental changes; similar soil and habitat conditions across the studied populations; and the reduced plasticity observed in alpine plants from higher altitudes due to extreme and stable environmental conditions. Overall, our study highlights the importance of preserving traditional land-use practices and enforcing legal protections within national and nature parks to conserve diversity and ensure the survival of bearberry populations. It underscores the role of human activities in enhancing plant population connectivity in alpine environments and calls for integrated conservation strategies that blend habitat protection with sustainable land use. |
authors: Antonio Vidaković Marijan Vuković Ana Vuković Matija Magdić Valentina Gašparović Igor Poljak | |
| Dejan B. Stojanović, Tom Levanič, Srđan Stojić, Bratislav Matović, Lazar Pavlović, Vladimir Višicki, Bojan Tubić, Marko Marinković, Saša Orlović | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.5 |
365 |
| Combining satellite time-series and tree growth data of Pedunculate oak, Turkey oak, European beech and Scots pine |
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| There are still unexplored connections between tree growth and remotely sensed time-series are waiting to be discovered. Research results that combine dendrochronological data (tree-ring widths) and remotely sensed image time-series are generally scarce. We provide new findings that relate to the radial growth of different tree species (pedunculate and Turkey oak, European beech and Scots pine) and MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Land Surface Temperatures (LST) daytime and night-time time-series. Significant correlations between MODIS observations (from 2000 to 2013, averaged to monthly and annual values) and radial growth of the trees have been found. All four tree species were statistically related to each of the four indices for some specific months within the growing season. LSTd annual values were significantly related to the radial growth of three species (Turkey oak, beech and pine) and annual EVI and LSTn to a single species (pine and beech, respectively). NDVI did not statistically correlate (p<0.05) with any of the tree-ring width chronologies. Values of EVI were statistically negatively related to Scots pine growth patterns (coefficient -0.546). LSTd was statistically related to the growth of Turkey oak (coefficient -0.571), European beech (coefficient -0.538) and Scots pine (coefficient -0.569), while LSTn had a high negative correlation with European beech (coefficient -0.674). |
authors: Dejan B. Stojanović Tom Levanič Srđan Stojić Bratislav Matović Lazar Pavlović Vladimir Višicki Bojan Tubić Marko Marinković Saša Orlović | |
| PREGLEDNI ČLANCI | ||
| Ivan Martinić, Anđela Antičević, Lara Zgrablić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.7-8.6 |
375 |
| The forest pedagogy programs in Croatia – evaluation approach and findings |
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| Forest pedagogy (FP), an educational concept that utilizes the forest as a natural classroom, is gaining recognition in Croatia. The establishment of the Silva.Rei Center for Forest Pedagogy in 2022 marked a significant step in the development of forest pedagogy and its associated educational approach in the country. This paper aims to present evaluation findings from two FP programs conducted by the Center within the "Znanje iz šume za šumu" project. The evaluation encompasses two distinct FP programs: field workshops for elementary school students and a seminar for educational staff. The assessment focused on participant satisfaction, the usefulness and practical applicability of the content for educators, the level of knowledge acquired, and the most engaging elements of the workshops for students. Evaluation results indicate high levels of engagement and motivation among participants, underscoring the social and ecological benefits of FP, along with recommendations for future program improvements. Key findings from the evaluation of the field workshops include the following: 97.3% of participants reported that engaging in activities such as tracking animal signs and counting sounds was the most enjoyable aspect. This finding suggests that students particularly enjoyed practical tasks involving physical engagement and sensory exploration. These activities allowed students to actively participate and use their senses, resulting in a high level of engagement and satisfaction. 89.19% of participants highlighted that socializing with friends in the forest environment was one of the best aspects of the workshop. The high percentage of students who emphasized social interaction underscores the importance of the social dimension in outdoor learning and exploration. The forest setting fostered relaxed and natural interactions, contributing to positive experiences and the formation of friendships among children. All the FP conference participants (100%) rated the presentations as interesting and comprehensible. Additionally, 100% confirmed that the topics presented were perceived as practically applicable. This result indicates a high relevance and usefulness of the topics covered for seminar participants. The findings reveal that the structure and content of the seminar, along with the presenters, were perceived as notably effective, with a significant proportion of participants expressing high satisfaction with the presentations and field demonstrations. Furthermore, most participants indicated a willingness to pursue further training in the field of forest pedagogy. For the evaluation of the FP field workshops included 37 students from mixed lower grades. An anonymous questionnaire assessed participant satisfaction and the level of content learned during the workshop, indicating a high level of engagement and enjoyment among students. Similarly, the forest pedagogy conference held at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in Zagreb, involved 30 educators, including four students. The evaluation revealed that all participants found the presentations engaging and comprehensible, with unanimous agreement on the practical applicability of the topics. Recommendations for future seminars include focusing on fewer topics with more depth and incorporating more concrete examples. In conclusion, forest pedagogy has proven to be an effective educational approach that imparts knowledge about nature while fostering social skills and environmental awareness among children. Regular evaluations during the programs duration are essential for ensuring the program remains dynamic and relevant. |
authors: Ivan Martinić ŠL Anđela Antičević Lara Zgrablić | |