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9-10/2025 |
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| RIJEČ UREDNIŠTVA | ||
| Uredništvo HŠD | 409 | |
| No progress in forestry without science and without culture |  
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| This is the last of the Ten Sentences on Forests written in 2004 by academician Dušan Klepac (1917–2006). An unforgettable university professor and one of the greatest forestry scientists, Klepac wrote the Sentences at the twilight of his life, reflecting on forests and forestry while “bored in a hospital bed.”
Today, foresters like to say that Klepac’s Ten Sentences on Forests should be regarded as the Ten Commandments. A separate essay could be written about each of them. On this occasion, we will focus on the final sentence, in which he emphasized that “there is no progress in forestry without science and without culture.” By definition, forestry is the science, profession, and art of managing and preserving forests for the lasting benefit of people, society, environment, and economy. Forestry science had its beginnings in the 18th century, when the principle of sustainable forest management was established by dividing forest land into annual cutting areas. The number of cutting areas corresponds to the number of rotations, which is determined by absolute maturity, i.e., the age at which trees reach their highest average increment. In Croatia, the principle of sustainable forest management was already incorporated in 1769 into the first forest law – Maria Theresa’s Forest Order. The intensive development of forestry science in Croatia began in 1898 with the founding of the Forestry Academy, today’s Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of the University of Zagreb. A new impetus came in 1945 with the establishment of the Institute for Practical Forest Research, today the Croatian Forest Research Institute. The golden era of forestry development occurred between 1990 and 2013, during which a model for five-year contracts on scientific research projects between forestry research institutions and the company Croatian Forests was established. The model was financed by funds collected through the fee for the non-market forest goods and services. It enabled fundamental, applied, and developmental research, as well as the publication of valuable scientific papers that directly served forestry practice. These papers contain numerous recommendations for forest management in different ecological, economic, and social conditions. During this period, Croatian forestry science and practice became a true example of mutual encouragement and strong development, which led to a significant improvement of the state of Croatia’s forests and forestry. Today, the financial support between forestry profession and forestry science comes through a small number of targeted research projects derived from selected practical problems. Of the total annual funds collected through the fee for the non-market forest goods and services, only 1% is allocated for scientific and professional work in forestry. The percentage says it all. The lack of investment in forestry science will be noticed by every careful observer of the state of Croatia’s forests and forestry. Let us be reminded once again: there is no progress in forestry without science and without culture. Editorial Board |
authors: Uredništvo HŠD | |
| IZVORNI ZNANSTVENI ČLANCI | ||
| Ida Katičić Bogdan, Rudolf Stipetić, Antonio Vidaković, Marko Bačurin, Saša Bogdan, Zlatko Šatović, Igor Poljak | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.1 |
411 |
| Genetic diversity and genotyping of clones in clonal seed orchard of black pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold) |
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| The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of clones within the clonal seed orchard of black pine (Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold, Pinaceae) located in the area of the Krk Forest Office, using morphological and molecular markers, and to conduct genetic identification (genotyping) of ramets to verify the accuracy of the orchard layout. The study included samples from 136 ramets across five populations. Microsatellite markers were used for the genotyping of clones, and morphometric analysis was carried out based on ten morphological traits of needles and cones. Significant differences were observed among clones and populations for all morphological traits examined. The average needle length was 89.8 mm, and the cones, averaging 55.7 mm in length and 26.8 mm in width, contained 106 seed scales. The orchard layout revealed 27.2% of mislabeled ramets, of which three belonged to different clones, while others had unknown genotypes. Main sources of error included scion die-off and growth of rootstock shoots, with labeling errors also being a possibility. Corrective actions should include proper labeling of misidentified ramets and the removal of individuals with unknown origins or genotypes. Future scions for orchard supplementation should be sourced exclusively from confirmed ramets. For specimens with branching discrepancies (where different genotypes were identified on two branches, one matching the designated clone), the incorrect branch must be removed as it originates from the rootstock. Comparisons with other studies on black pine using microsatellite markers indicate that the genetic diversity in the orchard (HE = 0.646) aligns with values found in natural populations. Since most clones originate from a limited number of populations, with some poorly represented, expanding the genetic base with newly selected clones is recommended if the orchard is to be maintained. Multivariate statistical methods did not reveal grouping of clones based on their original population affiliations. The results of this study hold practical value for forestry as seed orchards serve as a suitable base for ex situ conservation of genetic diversity and the production of genetically superior seeds for stand restoration or natural regeneration support. The findings also highlight the importance of accurate clone labeling to avoid negative consequences in managing clonal seed orchards. |
authors: Ida Katičić Bogdan ŠL Rudolf Stipetić Antonio Vidaković Marko Bačurin Saša Bogdan ŠL Zlatko Šatović Igor Poljak | |
| Jelena Kranjec Orlović, Fran Bono Cindrić, Darwin Damijanić, Damir Drvodelić, Mario Šango, Sanja Bogunović, Danko Diminić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.2 |
423 |
| First report of Diaporthe eres associated with stem and branch canker on Quercus robur L. in Croatia |
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| In June 2020, stem and branch cankers were observed on young Quercus robur trees growing in a floodplain forest near the Sava River in the eastern part of Croatia. Samples of affected stems and branches were randomly collected, and fungi present in the symptomatic tissue were isolated on agar media. The molecular and morphological identification of the obtained cultures revealed 29 fungal isolates belonging to 12 different taxa. The most frequently isolated species was Diaporthe eres, found in 77% of sampled trees. The ability of D. eres to cause cankers was tested in a pathogenicity trial on 3-year-old Q. robur saplings. Bark and wood necroses developed on all inoculated saplings, and D. eres was successfully re-isolated and identified using molecular tools. None of the control saplings revealed any symptoms during the trial. Therefore, Koch’s postulates were fulfilled, and D. eres was verified as a causative agent of cankers on Q. robur. |
authors: Jelena Kranjec Orlović Fran Bono Cindrić Darwin Damijanić Damir Drvodelić ŠL Mario Šango ŠL Sanja Bogunović Danko Diminić ŠL | |
| Viktorija Brndevska Stipanović, Vlatko Andonovski, Saša Orlović | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.3 |
431 |
| Diversity of woody plants in urban parks of Skopje, North Macedonia |
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| Urban parks are crucial components of a city’s green infrastructure, offering significant benefits from both social and environmental perspectives. They provide many ecosystem services and play a key role in maintaining, preserving, and enhancing urban biodiversity. This paper analyses the woody plant diversity in three urban parks in Skopje, North Macedonia. The research identified 90 different woody plant taxa in the analyzed parks, belonging to 42 genera and 23 families. The parks have a significantly higher number of non-native taxa compared to the native ones, as well as a significantly higher number of deciduous taxa compared to evergreen taxa. Although non-native species dominate to a great extent over the native ones, there is no threat from invasive plant species in the researched parks. Furthermore, the analyses included the calculation of biodiversity indices (alpha indices: Shannon, Simpson, and Berger-Parker, and also Sorensen beta index). The results showed that none of the parks are highly significant from a biodiversity perspective. The alpha indices indicate a low to moderate biodiversity in the studied North Macedonian urban parks. On the other hand, the Sorensen beta index indicated a more positive view, emphasizing the lack of significant similarity among the studied urban parks. Nevertheless, there is a clear need to enhance the biodiversity of woody plants in urban parks in Skopje. Integrating biodiversity considerations into the process of planning, landscape design of urban parks, and their maintenance is crucial. Establishing biodiversity monitoring as a standard practice will be essential for understanding the real situation in urban parks and enabling timely interventions. |
authors: Viktorija Brndevska Stipanović Vlatko Andonovski Saša Orlović | |
| Igor Poljak, Marijan Vuković, Ana Vuković, Matija Magdić, Antonio Vidaković, Ivana Zegnal, Doris Marjanović, Irena Šapić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.4 |
443 |
| Leaf morphological variation in Ribes alpinum L. across elevation gradients in the north-western Dinaric Alps: evidence of phenotypic plasticity and habitat influence |
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| Mountain ecosystems are shaped by steep environmental gradients that influence plant morphology and adaptation. Ribes alpinum L., a deciduous shrub with a wide European distribution, remains poorly studied in terms of its intraspecific variability. This study aimed to investigate leaf morphological variation across five natural populations from the Dinaric Alps, focusing on differences in leaf size and shape in relation to elevation and habitat conditions. Leaves were sampled from four populations and photographed in situ at a fifth site located within a strict nature reserve. Ten morphometric traits were measured – five related to leaf size (e.g., area, length, petiole length) and five describing leaf shape and lobe configuration. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences among populations in seven traits, with leaf size parameters showing the greatest divergence. Populations from contrasting elevations were consistently identified as morphologically distinct. The low-elevation population showed the greatest degree of within-population morphological diversity, likely reflecting the influence of heterogeneous terrain and fine-scale microhabitat variation. Multivariate analyses (PCA and clustering) confirmed population-level structuring, while Redundancy Analysis (RDA) showed that geographic coordinates had no significant influence on trait variation. Instead, elevation-related environmental gradients emerged as the dominant drivers of morphological differentiation. These findings suggest that leaf traits in Ribes alpinum are shaped primarily by local ecological pressures, reflecting phenotypic plasticity rather than broad spatial separation. The study highlights the adaptive flexibility of Ribes alpinum and underscores the ecological importance of the Dinaric Alps as a valuable setting for investigating plant responses to environmental heterogeneity. |
authors: Igor Poljak Marijan Vuković Ana Vuković Matija Magdić Antonio Vidaković Ivana Zegnal Doris Marjanović Irena Šapić | |
| Neşe Gülci, John Sessions, Preston Green | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.5 |
457 |
| Assessment of tethered harvester productivity: a case study in western Oregon, USA |
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| The use of winch-assisted (tethered) mechanized harvesting systems has recently increased on steep terrain in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Tethered systems are used to support and stabilize the operation of production machines such as harvesters, feller bunchers, forwarders, and grapple skidders on steep slopes. Studies on the environmental impacts, productivity, and costs of these systems should be in focus due to the rapid use of winch-assisted systems in forestry. In this study, a tethered harvester operation working was evaluated using time and motion study analysis. The study was conducted in a clear-cutting area within a Douglas-fir stand in the Oregon Coast Range near Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The production activities were evaluated in stages, including the tethered harvester moving to the tree, preparing for cutting, cutting, and processing. The most time-consuming work stage in the study was determined to be the processing time of the tree. The average delay-free efficiency of the tethered harvester was determined as 40.16 m3/h, while the minimum efficiency was 16 m3/h and the maximum efficiency was 75.02 m3/h. Production efficiency was mostly affected by tree size, with productivity increasing as tree size increased. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between tree height, tree diameter, tree volume, and productivity. |
authors: Neşe Gülci John Sessions Preston Green | |
| STRUČNI ČLANCI | ||
| Zoran Šikić, Morana Bačić | https://doi.org/10.31298/sl.149.9-10.6 |
467 |
| Spatial coverage of Natura 2000 forest target habitat types in Zadar County |
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| In three biogeographic regions in Zadar County, there are three forest target habitat types, one of which is identified as a priority habitat type. Spatial analyses are essential for effective planning and management of Natura 2000 sites, which is why they were chosen as the aim of this research. Geoprocessing methods in ArcGIS were used to create new values, with the goal of calculating the areas of forest target habitat types in the Natura 2000 sites in Zadar County. By using GIS (Geographic Information System) tools, the result obtained was that forest habitat types in Zadar County cover 6,849.56 ha, accounting for 5.55% of the land area of the Natura 2000 sites important for species and habitat types, or 1.88% of the land area of the county. The general condition of the forest target habitat types in Zadar County ranges from good, very good to excellent. However, there is a high risk of forest fires, and climate change poses a significant threat. It is necessary to establish a monitoring system of the forest target habitat types’ condition. The results of this research may be used as a basis for further studies and planning of the conservation of natural habitats within the Natura 2000 sites in Zadar County. |
authors: Zoran Šikić ŠL Morana Bačić | |