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Diversity, Growth Parameters, and Ecosystem Services of Urban Trees Under Climate-Change Conditions: A Case Study of Topčider Park
No full textUrban tree planting is widely promoted for its benefits, but the long-term condition of
trees is poorly documented, especially as changing and often incompatible conditions,
intensified by climate change, affect their ability to deliver those benefits. A case study in
Topčider Park (since 1836) was conducted during 2025 through the evaluation of diversity, growth parameters, ornamental value, vitality, and total fresh biomass and the identification of tree taxa with high carbon-sequestration potential in Belgrade (Serbia). The
data were statistically processed using descriptive statistics, the Shannon diversity and
the Pielou evenness index, PCA, Spearman rank and Chi-square tests. The results indicated a wide distribution and high homogeneity of taxa, greater stability within Angiospermae and moderate stability within Gymnospermae, with PCA showing no correlations between growth parameters, vitality, and ornamental value, confirming the close
proximity of all taxa. At the taxon level, London plane, English oak, Ginkgo and Bald
cypress stood out in growth parameters, while the assessment of total fresh biomass for
all 51 taxa highlighted London plane, Scots pine and Bald cypress as particularly productive and adaptive. Carbon sequestration and CO2 reduction varied with total fresh biomass. The study offers evidence-based recommendations for selecting urban tree taxa to
enhance ecosystem services and support climate-adaptation efforts in urban planning
Best practices for producing high quality seedlings and establishing main European tree species - Picea abies (L.) Karst
No full textCones can be harvested from standing trees from the end of October to March
(Stilinovi�c, 1985), but some authors recommend November (Hoffmann et al., 2007).
Cones are harvested manually or using scissors or hooks. They can also be collected
on the ground by previously placing tarpaulin or plastic foils (Iancu, 1999). At harvest
the cones contain about 40% water, while seeds have a water content of 10%–20%
less (Vlase, 1982).
Cones should be predried to a moisture content of 25%–30% before seed extraction,
especially if they are harvested in late autumn or early winter, as they then have a higher
moisture content compared with those harvested later. All large impurities, for example,
branches and stones, should be removed before drying for seed extraction. To extract
seed, cones should be heated and dried, which can be done by exposing the cones to
the sun or in different facilities where it is possible to control the temperature and hu-
midity in drying chambers. Chambers accelerate reaching the targeted temperature and
humidity values for maintaining seed viability and germination capacity
Green Fiber-Reinforced Laminates: Styrene-Free UPe with VTES-Functionalized ZrO2 and Flax Fabrics
No full textNatural fiber-based composites are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to synthetic
fiber-reinforced materials. Herein, styrene-free unsaturated polyester (UPe) nanocomposites and flax-fabric laminates reinforced with vinyl-triethoxy-silane (VTES) functionalized
zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO2-VS) were studied. Nanoparticles were dispersed by highshear mixing, and ZrO2-VS was benchmarked against unmodified ZrO2 and neat UPe.
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tracked cure conversion; scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), tensile testing, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA)
evaluated structure-property relationships. ZrO2-VS improved dispersion and interfacial
adhesion, yielding higher tensile strength and storage modulus compared with unmodified
ZrO2. In flax-fabric laminates, ZrO2-VS/UPe achieved a tensile strength of 72.2 ± 3.6 MPa,
exceeding both unmodified ZrO2/UPe and neat UPe controls. DMA showed pronounced
increases in storage modulus across temperature with small, non-significant changes in Tg.
These results highlight a low-styrene-hazard UPe matrix and natural fiber reinforcement
pathway to improved mechanical performance via silane-mediated nanoparticle-matrixfiber bridgin
Fagus sylvatica L. - Best practices for producing high quality seedlings and establishing main European tree species
No full textFagus sylvatica (beech) produces irregular nut crops, with mast years occurring every 5–8
years (Houston Durrant et al., 2016). Nuts ripen between September and October, and
early frosts help the splitting of the husks and nut release
Perspectives of environmental protection in nursery production through the use of environmentally acceptable substrates
No full textTresetišta predstavljaju jedinstvene ekosisteme bogate ugljenikom,
rasprostranjene skoro u svim zemljama na planeti i kao takvi čine najveća skladišta
ugljenika na kopnu. Nastanak treseta vezuje se za akumulaciju organske materije pri
anaerobnim uslovima, što ova staništa čini jednim od najosetljivijih ekosistema na klimatske
promene. Ovakvi ekosistemi su važan faktor za ublažavanje prirodnih nepogoda, fi ltriranje i
skladištenje vode. Ujedno, treset formira supstrat pogodnih fi zičkih i hemijskih karakteristika
što predstavlja glavni razlog upotrebe kao tradicionalnog supstrata za gajenje biljaka u
rasadničkoj proizvodnji. Posledice degradacije tresetnih ekosistema i klimatske promene
ukazuju da je pronalazak održivih rešenja za korišćenje treseta u hortikulturi od globalnog
značaja za očuvanje biodiverziteta ovakvih staništa. Cilj rada je pronalaženje supstrata
koji bi uspešno zamenio upotrebu treseta u proizvodnji Hydrangea macrophylla i doprineo
razvoju održive rasadničke proizvodnje. U pejzažnoj arhitekturi velikolisna hortenzija se
koristi za ornamentalne svrhe, ali ima veliki potencijal za remedijaciju zemljišta i adaptibilna
je na abiotičke uslove. Ogled je sproveden u rasadniku Šumarskog fakulteta, činilo ga je 9
tretmana vrste Hydrangea macrophylla. Alternativni supstrati 2 (treset 30%, borova kora
50%, humus 10%, glistenjak 10%) i 3 (kompostni supstrat 50%, borova kora 30%, pesak
10%, vermikulit 10%) pokazali su se kao najbolja zamena za treset, iako su zabeleženi
nedostaci u razvoju korenovog sistema. Rezultat ukazuje na mogućnost dobijanja ekološki
prihvatljivog rešenja za gajenje hortenzije, što je od izuzetne važnosti za smanjenje upotrebe
treseta u hortikulturi i očuvanje vlažnih staništa u regionu
Between blossoms: biodesign inspired by peony in parametric modeling and art installation
No full textPlants are not only the foundation of Earth's ecosystems but also carry deep cultural, spiritual, and
symbolic meanings. Throughout history, humans have drawn inspiration from plants, viewing them
as symbols of life and sources of strength. The integration of biodesign and parametric modeling
enables the creation of art installations inspired by natural forms, merging organic aesthetics with
interactive technology.
Peonies (Paeonia sp.) hold significant cultural symbolism in both China and Serbia. In China, they
are revered as the "King of Flowers," symbolizing prosperity and elegance. In Serbia, they play an
important role in Slava, the family guardian saint celebration, representing family prosperity,
happiness, resilience, and sacredness. This study explores how biomimetic design can transform the
morphology of peonies into a parametric light installation, bringing the spiritual aesthetics of plants
into everyday life.
Parametric modeling facilitates the geometric abstraction of layered petal structures and natural
opening rhythms. Using software such as Blender and CAD, the peony's growth logic is translated
into a digital framework for art installation
Enhancing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activitiesof Cotinus coggygria scop. leaf extracts throughfermentation
No full textCotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae), known as ‘smoke tree’ or
‘smoke bush’ is a medicinal plant with recognised anti-inflammatory,
antioxidative, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antigenotoxic, and
hepatoprotective activity. This study investigated the effect of
spontaneous lactic acid fermentation on the extraction yield of
bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiinflammatory activities from C. coggygria via high-performance
thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with (bio)assays in
effect-directed analysis (EDA). Results showed that spontaneous
fermentation increased the extraction of phenolics by 45%, but not
flavonoids. There was no significant increase in α-amylase and
COX-1 inhibition, but a significant increase in terpenoid content,
antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial activity. These findings confirm that lipophilic antioxidants are more potent and also suggest
that antimicrobial activity is associated with the increased extraction
of triterpenoids. The FTIR spectra of eluted bioactive zones with
high antimicrobial activity also indicate the presence of fatty acids,
phytosterols, and triterpenoid
Dendroflora composition and diversity in the urban green infrastructure of Belgrade
No full textDendroflora je jedna od vaţnih komponenata koje podrţavaju prostore kao elemente zelene infrastrukture sa ekološkim funkcijama u gusto naseljenim mestima. Stoga su istraţivanja realizovana u centralnom gradskom jezgru Beograda koji je od druge polovine devetnaestog veka imao javni karakter, ali i stoga što su znanja o kompozicijama i diverzitetu dendroflore zastarela s obzirom na rekonstrukcije ovog prostora u prethodne dve decenije. Imajući u vidu navedeno, istraţivanje ima za cilj identifikaciju raznolikosti dendroflore i komplementarnu analizu dendroflorističkih elemenata. Primenom bioekološke osnove evidentirano je ukupno 172 stabla, 159 m2 površina pod ţbunjem, 5 ţivih ograda i 1 penjačica u vertikalnom ozelenjavanju. Najzastupljeniji su autohtoni taksoni (37,8%), slede alohtoni u procentu 35,8%, kultivari sa 15,1%, a najmanje ima hibridnih (11,3%). Najdominantniji su listopadni sa 75,5%, dok su zimzeleni taksoni zastupljeni sa 24,5%. Od ukupno 53 taksona maksimalnu ocenu dekorativnosti ima 15 taksona skrivenosemenica, a najvišu ocenu (4,5) od golosemenica ima tisa. Istraţivanje potencira da se pojedinačna stabla luţnjaka, javorolisnog platana, divljeg kestena i kultivara hrasta luţnjaka vretenaste krošnje stave pod zaštitu, a da se dendroflora uvede u GIS zelenih površina Beograda
Soil characteristics of some climate-zonal oak forests in Serbia
No full textOak forests are among the most important forest types in Serbia,
making understanding their ecological conditions essential for effective
management. The degradation of hilly-mountainous oak forests in Serbia is
primarily the result of human activities. Historically, improper forest
management has led to a decline in forest quality, weakened tree health,
changes in the natural composition of tree species, and a regression in the
natural succession of vegetation. Given the complexity of regenerating hilly
and mountainous oak forests, it is crucial to conduct systematic research
on the key factors influencing this process (including soils) to support
successful and sustainable forest restoration efforts.
This study was conducted in Quercetum frainetto-cerris typicum, typical
climate-zonal forests in Serbia, on tree different localities: Cer, Žiča and
Vraćevšnica. One soil profile was examined in each locality to identify the
soil types and determine their properties.
Three different soil types were determined: Luvisol on Cer, Planosol on
Žiča and Cambisol on Vraćevšnica.
The analyzed properties of the Luvisol are as follows: soil reaction (pH
in H2O) is 5.70; humus content is 1.45% (all average values). The texture
class is silty clay loam. The analyzed properties of the Planosol are as
follows: soil reaction (pH in H2O) is 5.48; humus content is 1.84% (all
average values). The texture class is silty loam. The analyzed properties of
the Cambisol are as follows: soil reaction (pH in H2O) is 5.79; humus
content is 1.81% (all average values). The texture class is silty clay loam The studied soils, in general, have good physicochemical properties for
successful forest restoration. When appropriately managed, they offer
excellent conditions for the growth and development of oak species
The Impact of the Small Urban Green Space on the Urban Thermal Environment: The Belgrade Case Study (Serbia)
No full textSmall green spaces are the most common type of greenery in cities, but very little is known about their impact on thermal comfort. It has been established that larger green spaces (large city parks, urban forests, etc.) have a significant effect on the formation of thermal comfort in cities. Conversely, it has been shown that this effect is highly variable in smaller green spaces (particularly those <3 ha). This study investigated the impact of smaller green spaces (<3 ha) of various categories (parks, squares, and street tree lines) on the thermal comfort of urban open spaces. In total, 18 green spaces in Belgrade were selected, where specialised meteorological measurements were conducted during summer and winter, and the PET index and UTCI were calculated using the RayMan Pro (Version 3.1 Beta) software. Research has shown that green spaces ranging from 0.9 to 3 ha have an average difference of 4.04 °C in the PET index and 3.27 °C in the UTCI. For areas between 0.3 and 0.9 ha, the differences are 2.32 °C for PET and 2.05 °C for UTCI, while for spaces <0.3 ha, the differences are 2.19 °C for PET and 2.12 °C for UTCI. In all cases, the values of the PET index and UTCI were higher in green spaces compared to areas without greenery, with differences ranging from 2.19 to 4.04 °C for PET and 2.05–3.27 °C for UTCI. It was determined that green spaces <3 ha increased the PET index by an average of 2.75 °C and the UTCI by 2.41 °C. The results of this study showed that despite their size, small green areas can significantly improve thermal comfort. This study highlights the importance of these green spaces and provides a basis for the planning of new or renovated existing urban green spaces to mitigate the effects of climate change in cities