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Native Trees of the Mediterranean Region: Distribution, Diversity and Conservation Challenges
No full textPurpose of Review While 38% of tree species are at risk of extinction worldwide, their inventory and occurrence at ecologically and biogeographically meaningful scales is lacking in many parts of the world, including the biodiversity-rich
Mediterranean region. Here, we provide presence/absence, extinction risk, biogeography and genetic diversity data of trees
in 39 climatically and ecologically Mediterranean territories (so-called “botanical territories”) in North Africa, Western
Asia and Southern Europe.
Recent Findings The inventory includes 496 species and 147 subspecies from 50 families and 111 genera, including 48
species and 8 subspecies previously not considered as trees. We show that native tree species distribution is highly skewed
across the tree of life with a few species-rich families such as the Rosaceae and the majority with less than 1% of all species.
Endemism was not evenly distributed among botanical territories and neither was extinction risk, an assessment of which was
lacking in almost half of the species. While no geographic trends were detectable, species richness was found to be positively
correlated with botanical territory area and, when standardized by area, with habitat heterogeneity. Information on genetic
diversity was lacking in two thirds of the species inventoried and mostly focused on species with economic importance.
Summary Our data are open access and can be used by researchers and stakeholders for a wide range of purposes, including
conservation and restoration. Our findings identified major native tree richness hotspots as well as key knowledge gaps and
biases related to extinction risk and genetic diversity. Our findings also emphasize the importance of increased collaboration
to support the conservation of Mediterranean forest trees
Urban forest soil indicators as a tool for climate-smart forestry
No full textClimate-Smart Forestry (CSF) promotes adaptive forest management
that maintains ecosystem functions and services while increasing the
resilience of forests to climate change. Although this framework was primarily
developed for mountain and rural forests, its application to urban forests (UF)
is increasingly important. Urban forests, defined as tree-based ecosystems
in cities, provide essential ecosystem services (ES) such as air purification,
stormwater regulation, temperature mitigation, and social and cultural
benefits. However, they are under increasing pressure from climate change,
pollution, urban development and limited management resources. Among
these challenges, land degradation emerges as a crucial but underresearched factor affecting the sustainability of UF.
The project Urban Forest Soil Indicators as a Tool for Climate-Smart
Forestry (UrbanFoS) closes this knowledge gap by identifying indicators for
soil degradation that are specific to the urban context. Physico-chemical
analyses and climate simulation experiments will be used to identify the soil
properties that are most sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic
stressors. Existing indices for soil degradation will be tested for their
applicability to UF and a customised index will be proposed. In addition,
UrbanFoS will define remediation measures based on the principles of
ecological engineering and nature-based solutions (NBS), ensuring practical
ways to improve soil conditions.
By linking soil sensitivity with the provision of ES, UrbanFoS advances
monitoring, predictive modelling and decision making for urban forestry. The
results will not only support adaptive management strategies to mitigate land
degradation, but also improve the ability of UF to deliver multiple ES,
conserve biodiversity and contribute to climate resilience. In doing so,
UrbanFoS introduces a novel conceptual and methodological framework for
climate-smart urban forestry (CSUF) and provides science-based tools to bridge the gap between urban sustainability goals and the realities of climate
and anthropogenic pressure
Development of a biopolymer-based biopesticide with ailanthus altissima extract for sustainable control of lymantria dispar in forest ecosystems
No full textThis work presents the development of a novel biopesticide formulation based on natural biopolymers (chitosan and gelatin) and plant extract from the invasive species Ailanthus altissima. The use of this extract is economically and environmentally justified, as it supports sustainability by utilizing a widespread weed. A key challenge with plant-based biopesticides is the instability of active compounds when exposed to environmental factors. This was overcome by incorporating the extract into a chitosan-gelatin biopolymer matrix, both of which are GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)-certified by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The resulting formulation enables controlled release and prolonged activity of the bioactive compounds. Laboratory testing against the spongy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) showed improved efficacy compared to the pure extract. Since A. altissima extract is not commercially available and such a formulation has not been previously tested for spongy moth control, this approach offers an innovative, non-toxic, and eco-friendly alternative with great potential for forest pest managemen
Grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moensch) bark valorisation potential: longitudinal variability of chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidative, and cytotoxic activity of extractives
No full textGrey alder Alnus incana (L.) Moensch bark represents a prospective raw materialfor acquiring a broad range of high-value green chemicals with various biologicalactivities. Bark, rich in valuable extractives, is considered an important resourcefor sustainable development because of its abundance, renewability, and availabil-ity. Herein, we investigated the longitudinal variability of A. incana bark chemicalcomposition and bark extractives yield for their potential utilization/valorisation.A. incana bark extractives were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using four solventsof different polarities: ethanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, and water, while thebark samples were collected from three trunk heights. Extractive contents (EC) andtotal phenolic content (TPC) were determined, as well as their antioxidative (AO),antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activity were examined. The results showed that theA. incana bark contains an elevated amount of extractives compared to the otherdeciduous tree species with the highest content found for water and ethanol extrac-tives. The extractives exhibited high antioxidative activity and antibacterial effectson eight Gram-positive and seven Gram-negative bacterial stains. Furthermore, theA. incana bark extractives showed antiproliferative activity towards two humanbreast adenocarcinoma cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The ethyl acetate ex-tract showed the best activity on the inhibition of the growth of the MDA-MB-231cell line (IC50 value 30.9 μg/ml). In contrast, the ethyl acetate extractive showedthe best cytotoxic effect on the MCF-7 cell line (IC50 value 15.7 μg/ml)
A challenging decade for wild boar populations in Europe: African swine fever and different management strategies have driven diverse trends across the continent
No full textAs a cosmopolitan species, wild boar (Sus scrofa) population density has been increasing till recent
times across Europe, as a result of environmental changes as well as due to favourable biological and
ecological characteristics and life-history traits of the species. The fact that wild boar has a very high
reproductive potential and that it is an omnivorous species with very diverse food habits may have
contributed to the rapid spread of the species around the globe. The increase of wild boar abundance
has various impacts on the economy and the environment through the destruction of agricultural land,
traffic collisions, and health risks as the growth of wild boar populations has the potential to spread
infections and zoonoses. Recently, wild boar and domestic pigs have been affected by a highly
contagious viral disease, African swine fever (ASF). The disease appeared in Europe in 2014 in the Baltic
countries and Poland, from where it spread to the west. The disease per se, but also accompanied by
different mitigation measures (mainly focused on lethal measures, i.e., more intensive hunting actions,
also by using several modern tools for increasing hunting efficiency as well as to motivate hunters for
culling as many wild boar as possible), have affected previously consistent increasing trend of wild
boar, i.e., they have caused recently diverse trends across the continent. We analysed the hunting bags
of wild boar from almost all European countries from 2000 to 2024 and calculated among-countries
variability in population trends to determine whether and how the occurrence of ASF and the various
management strategies used to control the disease have affected the wild boar population in Europe
Variability of morphological characteristics of Rosa rugosa Thunb. populations under different light conditions in urban environment
No full textRosa rugosa Thunb., a shrub species from the genus Rosa L. and the family Rosaceae Juss, is
native to eastern Asia and southeastern Siberia. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century for
ornamental purposes, it is now widely used for urban greening due to its high adaptability to
urban environment, drought and heat tolerance, and high resistance to pests and diseases. This
study examines the impact of different light conditions—full sunlight, partial shade, and
shade—on the biological characteristics of Rosa rugosa Thunb. secondary populations in
urban environments and the morphological characteristics of fruits.
The studied Rosa rugosa Thunb. groups are located in a linear planting on the landscaped part
of a large riverbank, along the quay in Novi Sad, Serbia extending east-west, with varying
light exposures. Biometrical analysis identifies a total of 145 individuals: 116 in full shade, 15
in partial shade, and 14 in full sunlight. The growth type was uniform across all investigated
groups, classified as a shrub with a semi-upright growth habit. Plant height ranged from 0.5 m
(full sunlight) to 0.8 m (partial shade). No damage or diseases were observed, and vitality and
decorative scores of the investigated plants reached maximum values.
The plants were consistently positioned just 0.5 meters from the nearest paved surface, a
proximity typically considered extremely close and potentially harmful to plant health.
However, no notable deviations were observed in the typical growth patterns, flowering
(including timing, abundance, and duration), or fruiting, indicating that Rosa rugosa is a
remarkably resilient species, able to tolerate the conditions associated with proximity to paved
surfaces and roads. Distance from the bicycle path ranged from 0.5 up to 3 meters,
contributing to the quality of recreational green spaces and positively impacting user‘s wellbeing.
The average values of the measured morphological parameters of the fruits were 3.5 g for
fruit weight, 1.55 cm for fruit length, 2.17 cm for fruit width, 1.11 cm for length of the fruit's
petiole, while the average sepal length was recorded at 1.57 cm. The values of the number of
achenes at the population level range from 31 to 120. The measured morphometric parameters
for individual fruits show that the values for achenes length and width ranged from 0.2 to 0.7
cm and from 0.1 to 0.5 cm, respectively. The highest variability was shown in the parameters
for fruit weight, length of the fruit's petiole, sepal length, number of individual fruits and
weight of achenes. The fruit parameters indicated that variations in light, including shade,
partial shade, and full sun exposure, affect morphology. Based on the results obtained, the use
of R. rugosa seedlings in urban environments is recommended, particularly in various
categories of green spaces for linear planting and under different light conditions such asfull
sunlight, partial shade, and shade. This species plays a crucial role in enhancing climate
resilience within urban settings
An Analysis of National Park Financing Mechanisms in Serbia
No full textProtected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services,
and protecting different cultural heritage. They are legally designated and managed to
safeguard habitats, species, and ecological processes. The EU aims to protect 30% of its
land by 2030, while in Serbia 9.74% of land is under protection. One of the important
categories of protected areas represents national parks, which cover 17.3% of all protected
areas in Serbia. In order to understand the mechanisms of financing national parks in
Serbia, the period from 2008 to 2022 was analyzed. The 15-year period was selected due to
the availability of data and the necessity for long-term analysis. All revenues are divided
in four groups: business, fee, grant and other business revenues. The results of regression
analysis show that the growth rate of business revenue is the most significant contributor
among the revenue sources, with a very strong positive impact on the growth rate of
total revenue in all four national parks. The growth rate of grant revenue also contributes
positively to the growth rate of total revenue. However, its impact is much smaller than
the growth rate of business revenue and fee revenue but still highly significant. A strong
negative correlation (−0.82) is present between the growth rate of business and fee revenue
in National Park Kopaonik. This suggests that with an increase in fee revenues, business
revenues decrease. The results of this research show that business revenues are the most
important, followed by fee and grant revenue
Drivers’ Perspective on Traffic Safety and Impacts from the Surrounding Landscape: A Case Study of Serbia
No full textDue to the high volume of traffic on European highways and the increased
percentage of traffic accidents and fatalities, traffic safety is imperative in the planning and
design of highways. While highway safety design construction standards have been extensively researched, insufficient attention has been given to the influence of the surrounding
landscape on traffic safety and to drivers’ awareness about the danger of the same. Thus,
the aim of the research was to assess drivers’ perceptions of various factors impacting highway traffic safety (climatic impacts from the surrounding landscape, landscape vegetation
that follows the roadway, and animals) beyond specific engineering features (roadway
surface, traffic signs, highway junction points). A survey of 138 drivers was conducted
to assess driver awareness of traffic safety on the research section of a highway in Serbia.
This highway is part of the Serbian highway that is a key connection within the European
road network, forming an integral part of several major routes. The survey revealed that
drivers, regardless of gender or experience, primarily associate traffic safety with well-built
roads and good visibility during driving. While the impacts of climatic elements from the
surrounding landscape were acknowledged, drivers do not strongly attribute any danger
to traffic safety from these factors due to their lack of visibility. This is reflected in the
notable number of traffic accidents, impacted by these factors, on the studied highway (e.g.,
12% of the total number of accidents during 2022). Vegetation and animals did not play a
significant role in the respondents’ answers, which should not be the case; however, their
absence in the highway landscape and along the roadway led to a lack of observed quality
by drivers. This underscores the need for the scientific community and policymakers to
delve deeper into these issues with a broader perspective, and to elevate highway safety
standards accordingly
Čudesni svet stolica
No full textSvaki izraz stvaralaštva je ujedno i izjava o tome šta mislimo
o svetu u kom živimo, šta bi trebalo promeniti i kako.
U tom pogledu je dizajn upotrebnih predmeta, tih nemih
svedoka našeg postojanja, ponekad veoma rečit i njegove
poruke dosežu daleko i ostaju za nauk sledećim generacijam
Integrating Environmental Variables into Geostatistical Interpolation: Enhancing Soil Mapping for the MEDALUS Model in Montenegro
No full textGeostatistical methods are important in analyzing natural resources providing
input data for complex mathematical models that address environmental processes and
their spatial distribution. Ten interpolation methods and one empirical-based classification
grounded in empirical knowledge, with a total of 929 soil samples, were used to create the
most accurate spatial prediction maps for clay, sand, humus, and soil depth in Montenegro.
These analyses serve as a preparatory phase and prioritize the practical application of the
obtained results for the implementation and improvement of the MEDALUS model. This
model, used to assess sensitivity to land degradation, effectively integrates into broader current and future research. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating auxiliary
variables, such as topography, climate, and vegetation data, enhancing explanatory power
and accuracy in delineating the environmental characteristics, ensuring better adaptability
to the studied area. The results were validated by the coefficient of determination (R2
)
and root mean square error (RMSE). For the clay, EBKRP (empirical Bayesian kriging
regression prediction) achieved R2 = 0.35 and RMSE = 6.95%, for the sand, it achieved R2
= 0.34 and RMSE = 17.38%, for the humus, it achieved R2 = 0.50 and RMSE = 3.80%, and
for the soil depth, it achieved R2 = 0.76 and RMSE = 5.36 cm. These results indicate that
EBKRP is the optimal method for accurately mapping soil characteristics in future research
in Montenegro