Omorika Digital repository of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrad
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Parthenocissus Quinqefolia L.: phenomonitoring in blue-green infrastructure of Belgrade and Novi Sad
The study examines the proposition that variations in climatic factors impact the phenological
patterns of Virginia creeper within blue-green infrastructure (BGI) situated in urban areas adjacent to
major rivers. Key events of phenophases were documented alongside climatic variables as part of the
phenological observations. The findings of the investigation validate the species' suitability for
innovative strategies, suggesting that, with appropriate maintenance measures, it can contribute to the
preservation of vertical greening systems within the urban landscape. Research analyses show that
Parthenocissus quinquefolia L. demonstrates adaptability in the BGI of Belgrade and Novi Sad, even
amidst the conditions of climate change. Recommendations have been formulated to strengthen BGI
by the introduction of novel natural solutions involving Virginia creeper to mitigate climate-related
risks while revitalizing ecosystems. The integration of nature-inspired elements such as rain gardens,
green roofs, and permeable pavements is proposed as part of a solution
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Essential Oil as a Potential Biopesticide against Phytophthora Pathogens
The protection of forests is of national importance in every country since they are a resource that needs long periods of commodity production. By mainly attacking roots, various Phytophthora species seriously threaten forests and crops and cause losses in many plant species. Pathogens of this genus certainly live up to the name Phytophthora, which translates as “plant destroyers.” The current approach in fighting Phytophthora species is prevention – providing appropriate water drainage and good hygiene of production areas and tools. Despite all prevention measures and chemical treatments, Phytophthora is still spreading over and destroying forests, greenhouses, nurseries, and crops. One of the promising solutions to this problem is to develop effective and eco-friendly biopesticides, based on plant-derived products, such as essential oils (EOs).This work aimed to obtain a new formulation that gradually releases the encapsulated active components (essential oils) from a biodegradable polymer matrix within a given period. Consequently, the effect of three different EOs (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr.) Parl., Thuja plicata Donn ex D.Don and Juniperus communis L.) was investigated on the growth of the following Phytophthora species: P. plurivora Jung and Burgess, P. quercina Jung, and P. cambivora (Petri) Buisman. Firstly, EOs were encapsulated into a biopolymer matrix consisting of a chitosan-gelatin mixture to form a water-in-oil emulsion. This approach enabled the stability of the emulsions and the prolonged effect of the essential oils by their slow release from the biopolymer matrix. Also, this enabled the protection of the active components from atmospheric influences even for several weeks. The best effect exhibited western red cedar (Thuja plicata) essential oil, which almost completely inhibited the growth of Phytophthora species during seven days of exposure (the EO concentrations were 0.1% and 0.5% (v/v)). Thus, it was demonstrated that Thuja plicata EO encapsulated in a sustainable biopolymer is efficient in the growth suppression of Phytophthora species and can be considered as a means of protection in natural ecosystems
Regionalization of Catchments Based on Silhouette Widths for Flood Response Estimation across Serbia
Regional analysis is often used for flood quantile estimation in ungauged catchments. The regionalization procedure has two phases: the formation of homogeneous regions and flood quantile estimation. The presented research results consider the first phase of the regional analysis for 41 catchments in Serbia. The catchment similarity attributes are catchment area and catchment mean elevation. The number of formed regions and the number of stations within the regions are determined by maximising the mean silhouette width of the region. Regions were first obtained by cluster analysis and then adjusted to comprise catchments with a positive silhouette width. For the three formed regions, homogeneity was checked by the Gini index - GI
Timber Strength Grading as Necessary Basis for Structural Design in ex-YU Region: Part 2
The aim of this paper is to contribute to the classification of structural timber in the ex-YU region into strength-class system through the application of experimentally obtained archive data in order to provide a realistic framework for most commonly used II grade (according to JUS) structural coniferous timber. The analysis of archive data was carried out on a sample of 150 specimens of structural size and based on the set of statistical requirements prescribed by EN standards, taking into account the change in disposition of loading in laboratory testing in the past and now. Statistical procedures prescribed by EN standards are given through calculation steps together with necessary adjustment factors that cover the size and number of specimens. The presented procedures given for structural-size specimens are also applicable to small clear specimens, so that a more comprehensive research and additional new examinations could be conducted with the available archive data simultaneously with the harmonization of the visual classification rules applied in the ex-YU region. The paper emphasises the direct dependence of the consistent application of the visual grading rules required by the relevant EN standard on strength-class system
Anatomical Characteristics and Assessment of Wood Fiber Quality of Mature Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) Trees Grown in Different Environmental Conditions
From productive and ecological point of view, Quercus robur L. is an extremely important species and the investigation its anatomical properties is very significant in terms of its technical and technological utilization. The paper deals with the analysis of the wood fiber characteristics (fiber length, fiber lumen width, double -cell wall thickness, Runkel ratio) of mature pedunculate oak trees in the non -flooded (Management Unit "Viniena-& Zcaron;eravinac-Puk") and flooded area (Management Unit "GVO 83 b"). One of the aims of the study is to determine the wood fiber quality and the possibility of use in paper and pulp production. When the mean values of the analysed anatomical characteristics are compared, the results show slightly higher values in the non -flooded area, except for the Runkel ratio. The radial pattern of the investigated characteristics depending on the age shows growth in the non -flooded area, while the same tendency in the flooded area was found the fiber length only. It was recorded that fiber lumen width, double -cell wall thickness and Runkel ratio decreased in the final annual rings. The wood fiber quality for use in pulp and paper production is the greatest in the juvenile zone, unlike sapwood zone, regardless of the site conditions
Reconfigurable open architecture control system with integrated digital twin for 3-axis woodworking milling machine
This study proposes a reconfigurable open architecture control system for the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) woodworking educational machine tool called "EMCO F1 CNC". On this machine physical hardware reconfiguration (spindle position can be vertical and horizontal) is possible. The idea was to develop a control system that would follow the configuration changes of the machine tool. The educational character of the machine and its reconfigurability demand possibilities for machining programme simulations in order to determine optimal workpiece position in the workspace and programme verification. Those are the reasons for developing a virtual machine tool integrated with the control system as a digital twin. The study presents a novel methodology for the development of control systems, merging the concept of "virtual commissioning" with iterative error-driven processes. The objective was to develop a dynamic control system capable of promptly adjusting to kinematics changes in real time. In a wood machining experiment, a test workpiece for machine tools for both machine configurations verified the operation of the developed control system
Intraspecific Variability of Quercus pubescens Willd. Leaves from the Outstanding Natural Landscape "Kosmaj" in Serbia
The pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) leaves were analysed by the means of morphometric methods in the Outstanding Natural Landscape "Kosmaj" in Serbia. The main goals were to determine the level of intraspecific variability of pubescent oak leaves and to link it to local habitat conditions. Morphological analysis of size and shape (MASS) and landmark analyses were used for the investigation of the leaves, and observed differences were correlated to habitat conditions (altitude, slope, aspect) obtained by the digital terrain model. This study showed a clear pattern of intraspecific variability of leaf size and shape at a small spatial scale, and the presence of fluctuating asymmetry, length, and lobation differences as a response to local habitat conditions. The findings suggest that morphological variability can represent a useful tool for detecting changes in the environment, especially in areas where the pubescent oak is considered endangered
Adaptability of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. to Climate Changes in Multifunctional Landscape
Urban trees play a vital role in mitigating climate changes, maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems. This study focuses on the assessment of the resilience of cherry plums to climate changes, a fruit-bearing species that offers diverse ecosystem services within multifunctional urban and suburban landscapes. This study examines flowering and fruiting in the context of climate characteristics, expressed through the Day of the Year (DOY), Growing Degree Days (GDDs), and a yield over 17 consecutive years. The results indicate significant shifts in the DOY but not in the GDD, apart from the end of flowering. The onset of flowering was earlier and the end postponed, extending the phenophase by an average of 4 days. The cherry plum's yield was unaffected by climate changes, including extreme events like a late-spring frost. The stability of the cherry plum was confirmed by the phenological patterns of the bullace (cherry plum and blackthorn hybrid) exhibiting repeated flowering in the warmest year of 2023. The cherry plum is an adaptive species, with a high adaptability to a changing climate and a high resistance to late-spring frosts; thus, it is a favorable choice in urban design and planning, demonstrating resilience to climate shifts and thriving in polluted urban environments. It is especially appreciated for multiple ecosystem services: biodiversity conservation in natural and semi-natural areas, yielding good provisions in challenging environments, and the preservation of ornamental values through an extended flowering phenophase
Climate acts as an environmental filter to plant pathogens
Climate shapes the distribution of plant-associated microbes such as mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi. However, the role of climate in plant pathogen community assembly is less understood. Here, we explored the role of climate in the assembly of Phytophthora communities at gt 250 sites along a latitudinal gradient from Spain to northern Sweden and an altitudinal gradient from the Spanish Pyrenees to lowland areas. Communities were detected by ITS sequencing of river filtrates. Mediation analysis supported the role of climate in the biogeography of Phytophthora and ruled out other environmental factors such as geography or tree diversity. Comparisons of functional and species diversity showed that environmental filtering dominated over competitive exclusion in Europe. Temperature and precipitation acted as environmental filters at different extremes of the gradients. In northern regions, winter temperatures acted as an environmental filter on Phytophthora community assembly, selecting species adapted to survive low minimum temperatures. In southern latitudes, a hot dry climate was the main environmental filter, resulting in communities dominated by drought-tolerant Phytophthora species with thick oospore walls, a high optimum temperature for growth, and a high maximum temperature limit for growth. By taking a community ecology approach, we show that the establishment of Phytophthora plant pathogens in Europe is mainly restricted by cold temperatures
Gene pool of forest fruit trees in the protected area of the natural monument “Košutnjak forest” – then and now
The Natural Monument “Košutnjak Forest” is a protected area on the territory of the city of Belgrade
(Serbia). It is located in the immediate vicinity of the city center and covers 265.26 ha of protected
area, of which 1.31% of the area is under the second degree of protection, and 98.69% is under the
third degree of protection. The Košutnjak area is home to a large number of different woody species,
making it exceptionally rich in biodiversity. Among the species that occur in this area, forest fruit trees
occupy a significant percentage, and their value is reflected in their significant ecological impact, but
also in their medicinal properties, importance for animal nutrition and landscape beautification.
Forest fruit trees are less and less present in natural habitats due to anthropogenic influence, biotic
factors, invasive species, and climate change which emphasize the need for their conservation. Within
this research, an overview of forest fruit trees in the area of the Natural Monument “Košutnjak
Forest” during 1952, 1972 and 2022 was presented. In this area, in the research that was conducted
in the period from 2019 to 2022, 18 species of forest fruit trees were recorded, 12 of which are native,
and five belong to the category of rare and endangered, relict or species at risk in the forest fund of
the Republic of Serbia, which indicates the importance and necessity for their conservation