Omorika Digital repository of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrad
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Exploring the Sustainable Cosmetic Potential of Illyrian Iris Rhizome
This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive chemical and bioactivity profile of the eastern Adriatic endemic Illyrian iris (Iris pallida subsp. illyrica (Tomm. ex Vis.) K.Richt) rhizome, stored for 12 months post-harvest, using both conventional and greener extraction methods. The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), while ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) were employed for metabolic fingerprinting of the extracts obtained. Additional HPTLC bioautography assays (HPTLC-DPPH/HPTLC-Tyrosinase) were conducted to explore their antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory activities. The overarching goal was to assess the potential of this underexplored subspecies for sustainable cosmetic applications
Effect of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria on Photosynthetic Parameters of One-Year-Old Sessile Oak Seedlings
Soil contamination is a major contemporary issue. In light of increasing efforts to align
seedling production with the sustainable use and preservation of soil resources, this study
aimed to explore the potential of selected plant-growth-promoting bacteria as natural alternatives to mineral fertilizers, a major soil pollutant in the forestry sector. The experiment
involved inoculating one-year-old sessile oak (Quercus petraea) seedlings with multiple
single bacterial treatments and a consortia derived from sessile oak rhizosphere and monitoring their effects on plant physiological parameters such as chlorophyll, carotenoid, and
nitrogen content, along with selected parameters of the rapid chlorophyll a fluorescence
induction curve (an OJIP curve). The results indicated that the selected bacterial strains
improved specific plant physiological parameters at certain points during the monitoring
period; however, further research is necessary to draw statistically significant conclusions.
Although these bacteria did not directly enhance photosynthetic parameters, their potential
remains evident and could be harnessed through improved application methods. Future
studies should focus on identifying site conditions that support the proliferation of the
introduced bacterial populatio
Green innovation in materials: eco-panels made from hemp shives and starch
The increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials has led to intensive
research on bio-composites derived from renewable resources. In this study, composite panels were
produced using hemp shives supplied by Jermahemp (Serbia) and starch as a natural binder. A
constant starch content of 10% (relative to the dry weight of hemp shives) was applied, while the
mixtures were prepared at three different moisture levels: 30%, 40%, and 50%. The influence of
moisture content on the processing behavior and the potential performance of the panels was
investigated. Hemp shives, as an agricultural byproduct rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin,
provide lightweight structure, porosity, and biodegradability, while starch offers an environmentally
friendly alternative to synthetic adhesives. The combination of these components resulted in the
formation of panels with promising characteristics, suggesting their suitability for applications in
construction, packaging, or furniture production. The results confirm that hemp shive–starch
composites represent an eco-friendly and renewable alternative to conventional synthetic-based
materials. Optimization of binder content, moisture levels, and interfacial adhesion is recommended
for future research to enhance mechanical properties and long-term durability
Analiza prostorne distribucije sladuna u Srbiji na osnovu podataka druge nacionalne inventure šuma
Cilj ovih istraživanja je da se putem naprednih tehnologija i određenih statističkih metoda bolje sagleda i kvantifikuje prostorna distribucija sladuna u Srbiji. Istraživanja su bazirana na podacima druge nacionalne inventure šuma Srbije (NFI-2), realizovane u periodu 2019–2022. godine. Prisustvo sladuna registrovano je na 1.032 kruga. Za svaki od ovih krugova iz baze podataka NFI-2 preuzeti su podaci o tipu zemljišta klasifikovanom prema WRB, nadmorskoj visini, nagibu terena, ekspoziciji, kao i pripadnost kruga određenoj šumskoj oblasti. Podaci su analizirani kombinacijom statističkih i prostornih metoda upotrebom GIS alata (Kernel Density analiza i Hot Spot/ Getis-Ord Gi* analiza). Konstatovano je da sladun najčešće nastanjuje staništa nadmorskih visina između 250 i 600 m, umerenih do izraženih nagiba terena (10°–25°), južnih i jugozapadnih ekspozicija, što potvrđuje njegovu termofilnost. Najveća učestalost javljanja zabeležena je na zemljištima tipa Cambisols, a na većim nadmorskim visinama i strmijim terenima javlja se i na Leptosols zemljištima, što ukazuje na njegovu sposobnost da opstane i u ekološki restriktivnijim uslovima. Kernel Density analiza jasno je izdvojila dve zone visoke koncentracije ove vrste drveća: jugoistočnu Srbiju, kao centralno jezgro areala, i zapadnu/jugozapadnu Srbiju, kao drugu značajnu zonu povećane gustine. Hot Spot analiza potvrdila je statistički značajne „vruće zone“ u ovim regionima, dok su „hladne zone“ locirane u nizijskim delovima centralne i severne Srbije. Primenjeni metod koji kombinuje NFI podatke sa GIS analizama pruža mogućnost da se deskriptivni opisi distribucije sladuna, kao i drugih vrsta drveća, bolje sagledaju i kvantifikuju, što predstavlja pouzdaniji osnov za gazdovanje i monitoring naših šuma
A study on the flowering characteristics of Chaenomeles × superba 'Pink Lady'
The subject of this study is a cultivar of the genus Chaenomeles Lidl., whose taxa were
cultivated in European gardens at the end of the 18th century. The focus is on the 'Pink Lady'
cultivar (Pink Flowering Quince) due to its widespread presence in private gardens in the southwestern suburban area of Belgrade. The flowering period of the ornamental quince 'Pink Lady'
is the most important factor for its application in green spaces under the conditions of a modified
temperate-continental climate. The assessment of flowering characteristics of the Pink
Flowering Quince was conducted at ten locations in the settlement of Ostružnica, during the
period from 2022 to 2025. Differences in the phenological flowering patterns were recorded
using the extended BBCH coding system. In addition, accumulated chilling hours were
determined, measured from 1 November until the onset of bud break. The results indicate a
significant influence of air temperature on elements of the phenological flowering pattern
(07BBCH, 60BBCH, 65BBCH, and 69BBCH) and their duration. Through the application of
ANOVA testing and correlation analysis, genotypes with the longest flowering period were
identified and are recommended for propagation and broader application. The findings confirm
that understanding the flowering trends of 'Pink Lady' is essential for the management and
operationalisation of landscape design. Specifically, the results clearly show that successful
landscape design requires high-quality plant material that ensures ecological sustainability.
These findings also provide a platform for further studies on the mechanisms of flowering and
bud dormancy in the Pink Flowering Quince
The importance of understanding the impact of apparent temperature on humans
Human bioclimatology studies the impact of climate on humans and vice versa. The
subjective feeling of temperature (apparent temperature) seems to be warmer during
the day in summer and colder in winter than the data of official measurements show.
To analyze these parameters, data from two main climatological stations, Belgrade
and Kopaonik, were analyzed during the ten-year observation period (2011-2020).
Indices were utilized to evaluate the effect of heat and cold on the human body in
various environmental conditions: Heat Index (HI) and Wind Chill Index (WCI).
During the analyzed period, the highest air temperature occurred at 2 PM in August
2012 in Belgrade, reaching 39.6°C, while the maximum daily relative humidity was
44%. Due to the Heat Index value, it felt like 48°C. This significantly increased the risk
of heatstroke, muscle cramps, or exhaustion. During the analyzed period, the
minimum air temperature of -24.8°C was recorded at 2 PM in January 2017 on
Kopaonik, with a wind speed of 15 m/s. According to the Wind Chill Index, the
apparent temperature was -35°C, which posed a risk of frostbite within 10-30 minutes
on exposed areas of the body, such as the face and hands, as well as a risk of
hypothermia
INFLUENCE OF LAND COVER CHANGES AND CLIMATE SCENARIOS ON THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF SOIL EROSION IN THE STUBO-ROVNI BASIN
Land cover transformations and projected climate changes represent key drivers influencing the
intensity and spatial distribution of soil erosion in mountainous catchments of central Serbia. This
study evaluates the combined impact of land use dynamics and climate projections on erosion
processes in the Jablanica River basin, where the Stubo–Rovni Reservoir was constructed in 2015.
The objective was to quantify temporal changes in erosion intensity from 1990 to 2018, identify
spatial patterns of erosion risk, and assess future erosion trends under climate scenarios RCP4.5 and
RCP8.5. The analysis was performed using the Erosion Potential Method (EPM), integrated with GISbased spatial datasets. Corine Land Cover data for 1990, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018 served as the
basis for evaluating land cover dynamics and their effect on erosion parameters. Climate projections
were derived from EURO-CORDEX models for three time slices-near future (2011–2040), midcentury (2041–2070) and end of the century (2071–2100) - and applied to assess the sensitivity of
erosion intensity to expected temperature increases and precipitation decreases. The results show
that the period 1990–2000 was characterized by the most pronounced erosion, driven primarily by
agricultural expansion and reduced forest cover. Following the construction of the reservoir (post2012), stabilization of land cover and increased reforestation contributed to a reduction of the
erosion coefficient (Z). Spatial analysis indicates that medium and high erosion categories dominate
the upper catchment, particularly on steep slopes and erosion-prone lithological units. Climate
projections suggest an increase in mean annual temperature by 1.6–4.3°C and a decrease in
precipitation of up to 15%, which may lead to a 20–25% increase in sediment yield by the end of the
century. The study confirms that combined land cover dynamics and future climate conditions will
intensify erosion processes, potentially reducing the long-term storage capacity of the Stubo-Rovni
Reservoir and affecting slope stability in its vicinity. These findings highlight the importance of
integrated watershed management and the implementation of adaptive measures – such as
reforestation, runoff control and slope stabilization - to mitigate erosion risks and preserve soil and
water resources in central Serbi
DEFINING THE INITIAL SUCCESS OF FOREST REGENERATION THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENT METHODS AND CRITERIA
This paper presents the results of research based on the assessment of regeneration success in a pedunculate oak stand within the management unit ’’Kupinski kut’’. Determining regeneration success in a pedunculate oak stand is of great importance in the initial phase of sapling development, as the results of this assessment guide future steps in the forest management process. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current state of regeneration within the sample plot using different methods, to perform a comparative analysis of the obtained results, and to examine the possibilities of applying these methods in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Field research was conducted in 2025. The stand was established artificially, on a site previously occupied by an artificially established poplar stand that had been clear-cut. A four-year pedunculate oak sapling layer was analysed on the sample plot in order to determine the success of regeneration. Seven methods were used to assess the initial success of forest regeneration. For the purpose of assessing the regeneration success, the following criteria were considered: sapling density, distance between saplings, weed-cover classes in which the regeneration occurs, quality classes, presence of herbaceous and shrub vegetation, biotic and abiotic damage, sapling height, root-collar diameter, and shoot length. A comparative analysis of the results showed significant variations in seedling density, ranging from 13.508 to 64.500 individuals per hectare. Application of the selected methods indicated that the regeneration success was satisfactory according to established regeneration-success classification systems. The obtained results suggest that regeneration success is satisfactory and that the examined methods may be applicable in forests in Serbia
APPLICATION OF FIELD AND LABORATORY METHODS IN DETERMINING SOIL MOISTURE CONTENT IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
Košutnjak forest is one of the most valuable forest areas in Belgrade. It is characterized by diverse biodiversity and specific microclimatic conditions that enable conducting the investigation related to the influence between water, land resources and existing vegetation. The main goal of the paper was to show the application of field methods and laboratory methods in determining moisture levels in forest ecosystems. Special attention was paid to this locality, because it represents a green area with combined influence of natural and urban processes. There are different categories of soil moisture, which determine the availability of water to the root system of plants, that can be used for basic physiological processes. Those are, chemically bound water, hygroscopic, capillary, membranous, gravitational, slope, groundwater, water in the form of ice and vaporised water. The retention of water in soil is mostly influenced by the soil type, the structure and presence of vegetation cover. Field methods and measurements included determining the “in situ“ moisture of soil, with use of electronic sensors, while the laboratory analyses were carried out using the thermogravimetric method. Based on the obtained data from field methods, a data base is formed, and it serves for determining the site productivity. If we compare the obtained results, we can conclude that the field methods allow permanent monitoring, but demand careful calibration and control of the conditions during measuring. On the other hand, laboratory methods provide high accuracy, but are time consuming and technically more demanding. The goal of this comparison was to break down the precision, reliability and applicability of different methods, in monitoring the water regime of forest habitats. Moisture content in soil is of great importance for forest management planning, soil and water resources conservation, as well. The obtained results in our paper confirmed that different methods combining are the most reliable
Organizing non-wood forest product collectors in Serbia: a fuzzy logic assessment of expected benefit
Sakupljači nedrvnih šumskih proizvoda (NDŠP), imaju važnu ulogu kao primarni učesnici u lancu snabdevanja, ali su često nedovoljno organizovani. Ipak, njihova sposobnost da samostalno odgovore na izazove tržišta je ograničena. Zato je važno podsticati razvoj formalnih organizacionih oblika, kao što su npr. udruženja. Takve organizacije pružaju tehničku i logističku podršku, omogućavaju razmenu znanja, zastupaju interese članova itd. Cilj rada je da se utvrdi nivo koristi koje sakupljači NDŠP pripisuju članstvu u udruženjima, kao i da se analiziraju razlike u stavovima, u zavisnosti od spremnosti na udruživanje. Fazi logika omogućava da se stavovi i očekivane koristi ispitanika izraze kao stepeni pripadnosti određenim kategorijama (npr. niska, srednja, visoka očekivanja), umesto kao fiksne brojčane vrednosti 0 ili 1. U ovom istraživanju, primenjen je Mamdani fazi sistem zasnovan na tri ulazne promenljive: očekivana podrška u procesu pripreme dokumentacije za dobijanja dozvola za sakupljanje NDŠP i konkurisanje za subvencije i bespovratna sredstva, kao i pružanje informacija o regulativi NDŠP, procedurama i sl. Na osnovu definisanih pravila odlučivanja, izračunat je fazi indeks očekivane podrške. Rezultati pokazuju da sakupljači NDŠP u Srbiji imaju uglavnom niska, do umerena očekivanja u pogledu ispitivanih koristi od udruživanja. Ispitanici ne doživljavaju očekivane koristi od udruživanja kao odvojene, već kao povezane i međusobno dopunjujuće. Oni koji očekuju jedan oblik podrške (npr. informacije), obično očekuju i druge (npr. administrativnu pomoć u pripremi dokumentacije). Dodatno, rezultati pokazuju da su ispitanici koji očekuju više koristi od udruživanja skloniji da se priključe udruženjima. Ovo ukazuje da stavovi o podršci značajno utiču na njihovu motivaciju za kolektivno delovanje i predstavlja ključni faktor u izgradnji pozitivnog stava prema udruživanju. Ipak, rezultati pokazuju da mnogi sakupljači još uvek ne prepoznaju, u potpunosti, sve mogućnosti i prednosti koje udruživanje može da pruži