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+ 2008 + 2009 + 2010 + 2011 + 2012 + 2013 + 2014 + 2015 + 2016 + 2017 + 2018 + 2019 + 2020 + 2021 + 2022 + 2023 + 2024 1-2/2025 3-4/2025 5-6/2025 7-8/2025 9-10/2025 11-12/2025 new HR EN |
11-12/2025 |
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| RIJEČ UREDNIŠTVA | ||
| Uredništvo HŠD | 501 | |
| At the end of 2025 |  
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| It was logical in 2025 to begin Forestry Journal issue 1–2/2025 with an editorial and cover on the 260th anniversary of Croatian forestry and a reminder of 23 February 1765, the birthday of Croatian forestry. However, we did not expect that the commemoration of such a significant anniversary would turn out to be rather modest throughout the year, especially compared to the celebration of 250 years of Croatian forestry, when the year 2015 was filled with numerous major and minor ceremonial and work activities. Unfortunately, several events in which individuals from the forestry sector violated the law, or in which forestry was used as a battleground for political disputes, did not provide a good foundation for devoting greater recognition to the previous generations of foresters who shaped our distinguished past.
The editorial of Forestry Journal issue 3–4/2025 was dedicated to the shocking amendment to the Regulation on determining compensation for forests and forest land issued by the competent ministry. It reduced the compensation by 99% in cases of donating property to local and regional self-government units and to state administration bodies for the purpose of exclusion from the forest management area of the Republic of Croatia. The entire compensation—consisting of the parts for the forest (timber stock), forest land, and the reduction of forest ecosystem services—was reduced to only 1% of the total amount. Once again, it became evident that each amendment to the legal and subordinate acts in the forestry sector further devalues forests and forestry. With a reminder that over the past 15 years the editorial had addressed the same topic—the (in)efficient use of state resources—no fewer than 16 times, we revisited this topic in the editorial of Forestry Journal issue 5–6/2025. This was prompted by the media coverage about Croatia exporting more timber than furniture. Unfortunately, so many reflections on this topic prove only that there has been no improvement. Even people outside the profession most likely know that forest offices are the basic organizational units of forestry. However, negative past experiences, in which reorganizations and the abolition of forest offices were approached too lightly, led us to address this topic in Forestry Journal issue 7–8/2025. The editorial of Forestry Journal issue 9–10/2025 accentuated that there can be no progress in forestry without science and without culture—an idea expressed by academician Dušan Klepac in his Ten Sentences on Forests written in 2004. The point of the editorial was to highlight the reduction in investment in forestry science. The lack of such investment will negatively affect the state of forests and forestry in Croatia. A profession with such a long tradition and with numerous institutions fulfilling their roles—from educating professionals, scientific research, operational forestry to professional associations—takes pride in many anniversaries. It is therefore worth recalling those we commemorated in 2025: 165 years since the founding of the Royal Agriculture and Forestry College in Križevci, 130 years since the founding of the Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation in Split, 80 years since the founding of the Croatian Forest Research Institute in Jastrebarsko, 65 years of the independent Faculty of Forestry, 35 years of Croatian Forests Ltd., and 30 years since the founding of the Academy of Forestry Sciences. In 2026 we can announce the following anniversaries: 180 years since the founding of the Croatian Forestry Society, the third oldest forestry society in Europe, and 150 years of uninterrupted publication of its scientific, professional, and guild journal—Forestry Journal. It should also be noted that the upcoming year will mark 20 years of the Croatian Chamber of Forestry and Wood Technology Engineers. We wish all members of the Croatian Forestry Society and all readers of our journal a Merry Christmas and a successful New Year 2026. Editorial Board |
authors: Uredništvo HŠD | |
| IZVORNI ZNANSTVENI ČLANCI | ||
| Ante Seletković, Albert Seitz, Andro Kokeza, Matej Matošević, Ivan Balenović | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.1 |
503 |
| Accuracy of tree attribute estimates by personal laser scanning in an old pedunculate oak forest |
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| This study evaluated the accuracy of the latest, high-end commercial personal laser scanner (PLS) in estimating diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height in an old pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) stand. The research was conducted in the state-owned management unit Šiljakovačka Dubrava (Forest Office Velika Gorica, Forest Administration Zagreb, Croatian Forests Ltd.) in Central Croatia, in a 145-year-old oak stand. Three circular sample plots (20 m in radius each) were established, including 40 oak trees in total (Figure 1). Reference data were collected by detailed field measurements and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). DBH was measured using a diameter tape, while TLS (FARO Focus Premium 150) was used as the reference for tree height. TLS data were acquired using a multi-scan approach from five scan positions per plot (Figure 3a), whereas PLS data were collected using FARO Orbis according to a predefined walking scheme (Figure 3b). Both scanners, along with their technical specifications, are presented in Figure 2 and Table 1.
Before extracting individual tree attributes, a pre-processing of the collected TLS and PLS data was carried out. TLS data were pre-processed (registration, georeferencing) using FARO SCENE v2025.1.1, while PLS data were pre-processed using FARO Connect v2025.1 (Figure 4). Processing of TLS and PLS data (point clouds) was performed in the same manner using LiDAR360 v8.1. After normalising the point clouds, DBH of each tree was semi-automatically estimated; firstly, by approximate determination of diameter by the operator, which was secondly approximated by the fit-by-circle method, i.e., by the software algorithm that approximates DBH using the least squares method to fit a circle from the x-y coordinates of input points. Stems fitted by the circle method were used as seed points for individual tree segmentation (Point Cloud Segmentation from Seed Points algorithm; Figure 5). Within the segmentation process, the heights (H) were automatically estimated and then manually checked for any inconsistencies or errors (Figure 6). The measured and estimated DBH and tree height values for each tree, obtained from field measurements, as well as TLS and PLS data, are provided in the appendix (Table A1). The accuracy assessment compared PLS-derived attributes against reference data using the correlation coefficient (r), mean difference (MD) and root mean square error (RMSE). Results for DBH (Table 2) showed a strong correlation with reference values (r = 0.995), with deviations ranging from –0.99 cm to 3.02 cm. The MD was 0.62 cm (1.28 %), and the RMSE was 1.04 cm (2.13%). Figure 7 illustrates the slight, systematic overestimation of PLS-derived DBH. Tree height estimates (Table 2) were even more accurate, with deviations between –0.13 m and 0.92 m. The correlation with TLS reference data was r = 0.995. MD was 0.22 m (0.69%), and RMSE was 0.30 m (0.95%). Figure 8 demonstrates the close agreement between PLS and TLS estimates, again with a slight overestimation trend. The results confirm the high accuracy and reliability of PLS data for both DBH and height estimation in an old oak stand. Minor biases can be attributed to structural and morphological characteristics of trees, such as thick and furrowed bark in old oaks, which may cause an overestimation of DBH. Overall, the findings align with previous studies (e.g., Jurjević et al. 2020, Hyypä et al. 2020, Vandendaele et al. 2022, Kokeza et al. 2024, 2025), which report a slight overestimation but high accuracy of PLS-derived tree attributes. In conclusion, when high-end instruments are used, the PLS technology provides highly accurate and efficient estimates of DBH and tree height, demonstrating strong potential for integration into operational forest inventory. Further research across different stand types and conditions is recommended to establish best-practice guidelines for PLS data acquisition and processing. |
authors: Ante Seletković ŠL Albert Seitz Andro Kokeza Matej Matošević Ivan Balenović ŠL | |
| Igor Poljak, Gabrijela Svalina, Nives Vulama, Mia Radočaj, Kristina Buzina, Daniel Krstonošić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.2 |
517 |
| Morphological and anatomical diversity of Juniperus sabina var. balkanensis in the Croatian Dinaric Mountains |
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| Juniperus sabina var. balkanensis R.P.Adams et Tashev is a morphologically cryptic but genetically distinct tetraploid lineage, hypothesized to have originated through ancient hybridization between maternal diploid Juniperus sabina var. sabina and a paternal ancestor related to Juniperus thurifera L. Although its presence in Croatia has been confirmed, morphological and anatomical variability along the Dinaric range remains poorly understood. In this study, we analysed three natural populations from the Croatian Dinaric Alps (Biokovo and two sites on Velebit), comprising a total of 35 individuals. The aim was to assess intra- and inter-population variability, sex-based differences, and population × sex interactions, focusing on five vegetative traits and four cone traits. In addition, we examined how geographic position, elevation, and environmental gradients form morphological variation. Our results revealed significant differentiation among individuals within populations for all measured traits, although variability was generally low to moderate, consistent with previous genetic studies. Statistically significant differences between populations were confirmed for four traits. Multivariate analyses provided further insight: PCA identified scale leaf number and length, as well as cone size and seed number, which are the traits most responsible for population differentiation, while RDA demonstrated that these differences are structured by environmental and spatial gradients rather than random variation. Low to moderate intra-population variability and pronounced inter-population differences may reflect limited gene flow, clonal propagation, and inbreeding within fragmented habitats. Sex-based differences were observed in scale leaf number and length; however, given the limited sample size and the presence of both monoecious and dioecious shrubs, further research is needed to draw robust conclusions regarding sexual dimorphism. Overall, our findings contribute to a clearer understanding of the morphological variability of J. sabina var. balkanensis. Given its restriction to high-altitude, xerothermic habitats in the Dinaric Alps, this variety represents a valuable component of mountain biodiversity and should be considered in future conservation efforts targeting relict shrubland communities. |
authors: Igor Poljak Gabrijela Svalina Nives Vulama Mia Radočaj Kristina Buzina Daniel Krstonošić ŠL | |
| Milan Mataruga, Branislav Cvjetković, Borut Bosančić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.3 |
531 |
| Cone and seed variability in Serbian spruce – indicators of population endangerment |
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| Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk., Pinaceae) is a tertiary relict and one of the rarest, most endangered, and protected conifer species in Europe. Alarmingly, many studies report a continuous decline in its population and vitality. In response to this concerning trend, the present research aims to better understand the reproductive potential of this species by analysing cone and seed characteristics, as well as intra- and inter-population variability — the critical factors for designing effective in situ and ex situ conservation strategies. To achieve this, cones were collected during the 2022/23 season (autumn/spring) from 111 trees across seven natural populations and one urban population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Immediately after collection, cones were measured and processed, seeds were extracted, and germination tests were conducted in April–May 2023. The analysis revealed significant differences among trees and populations for all cone traits. Notably, the level of intra-population variability observed closely resembles the patterns previously identified in genetic studies of the same populations, suggesting a consistent underlying diversity structure. However, the overall germination results point to very low seed viability, 57.03% on average, with 26.85% of seeds being empty. Population-level differences were pronounced: germination rates ranged from 20.40% to 81.14%, while the proportion of empty seeds ranged from 8.10% to 59.60%. Overall, our results suggest that small and endangered populations are particularly vulnerable, producing smaller cones with a higher proportion of empty seeds and significantly lower germination success. This highlights an urgent need for conservation action — to protect the species and support natural regeneration in situ, and to establish ex situ plantations beyond its natural range. |
authors: Milan Mataruga Branislav Cvjetković Borut Bosančić | |
| Ibrahim Turna, Fahrettin Atar, Ali Osman Güzel, Fikret Koç, Giyasettin Akbin, Halil Bariş Özel | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.4 |
545 |
| Assessment of growth parameters in Pinus sylvestris L. stands: Five-year results of precommercial thinning |
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| Determining the optimal intensities for precommercial thinning (PCT) in Pinus sylvestris stands, which hold significant ecological and economic value in Türkiye, is crucial for enhancing growth performance and ensuring well-formed stems. This study investigates the effects of various PCT intensities on the growth parameters of young, naturally regenerated stands located in the Western Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions of Türkiye. A total of 24 experimental plots (4 PCT intensities × 3 replications × 2 sites) were established in thicket-stage stands, and four PCT treatments were applied: T1 (classic), T2 (0.75–1.0 m spacing), T3 (1.5–2.0 m spacing), and a control (unthinned). Diameter at breast height, height, total basal area, and total volume were measured at the end of each growing season for five consecutive years. The results indicated that PCT intensity had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on all measured growth parameters. Both DBH and height increments were positively correlated with increased PCT intensity, with the greatest gains observed in the T1 and T3 PCT treatments. In particular, the relative increment values increased in parallel with the rise in PCT intensity in all measured growth parameters. In conclusion, leaving around 3000–3500 stems per hectare during PCT provides the best outcomes in terms of growth and stand structure. The findings suggest that PCT interventions should be performed on a 3–5 year cycle to maximize growth potential and maintain forest health. |
authors: Ibrahim Turna Fahrettin Atar Ali Osman Güzel Fikret Koç Giyasettin Akbin Halil Bariş Özel | |
| KRATKA PRIOPĆENJA | ||
| Marta Kovač | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.5 |
559 |
| A new tritrophic association: Syspastospora parasitica on Beauveria pseudobassiana infecting Corythucha arcuata |
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| While studying a sap-feeding insect oak lace bug (Corythucha arcuata Say 1832, Heteroptera: Tingidae) and its association with entomopathogenic fungi, a new tritrophic association was discovered: C. arcuata infected with entomopathogen Beauveria pseudobassiana Rehner & Humber, which in turn is hyperparasitised by mycoparasitic fungus Syspastospora parasitica (Tulasne) Cannon & Hawksworth. This hyperparasitic fungus has been reported on various entomopathogenic fungi including B. pseudobassiana, but never in tritrophic association with C. arcuata. Although fungal hyperparasitism is widespread in nature, it is still poorly studied. In a context of biological control, the interest for hyperparasitic fungi is growing, since entomopathogens have an important role in the regulation of many insect pest populations. |
authors: Marta Kovač ŠL | |
| PREGLEDNI ČLANCI | ||
| Maja Cvek, Marko Vucelja, Darja Puškadija, Danijela Poljuha, Dalibor Broznić, Emina Pustijanac, Marina Šantić, Dijana Tomić Linšak | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.11-12.6 |
563 |
| Ticks as vectors of zoonotic pathogens: public health aspects in the Istria county |
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| Monitoring the presence of vectors of infectious diseases is of critical importance for public health protection and it further emphasizes the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach within the “One Health” concept. This study is based on field research of ticks as vectors of zoonotic pathogens and the analysis of tick-borne disease incidence in Istria County, Croatia. According to data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health for the period 2016–2022, a total of 126 cases of zoonotic diseases were reported, of which 114 (93.4%) were cases of Lyme borreliosis, two were cases of Q fever, and one case each of rickettsiosis and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Eight reported cases of zoonoses were recorded in non-residents of Istria County. As part of this research, systematic sampling of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) was conducted from 2020 to 2023 using the flagging method and collection from the host, yielding a total of 2349 specimens belonging to 12 different species from the genera Ixodes, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus, along with one soft tick from the genus Argas. The dominant species was the sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus L.), accounting for 70.84% of the total sample. This species is a known vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis) and Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever).
The results indicate a notable presence and wide distribution of vectors responsible for the transmission of Lyme borreliosis, confirmed as the most prevalent zoonosis in the region. The obtained data support the need for continuous entomological surveillance and epidemiological monitoring of vector-borne diseases to enable more accurate risk assessment and the development of appropriate public health measures. |
authors: Maja Cvek Marko Vucelja Darja Puškadija Danijela Poljuha Dalibor Broznić Emina Pustijanac Marina Šantić Dijana Tomić Linšak | |