Journal of Forest Science - Latest articles
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Impacts of forest protection in the Czech Republic on the Central European wood market: A scenario analysis
Petra Hlaváčková, Andrea Janáková Sujová
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(10):501-519 | DOI: 10.17221/76/2026-JFS 
Expanding forest protection may create a conflict between biodiversity conservation objectives and the availability of wood raw material for downstream industries. This study aimed to assess the potential impacts of this conflict on the Czech wood-processing sector and to identify mechanisms that could mitigate emerging raw-material shortages. A systematic synthesis of 311 unique studies was combined with an evidence-constrained scenario model incorporating supply restrictions, trade adjustment, production leakage, domestic adaptation, and sector-specific exposure. For the Czech reference industrial wood supply of 14.558 million m3, three...
The face-to-face auction of valuable assortments of hardwood in the Czech Republic: A history and current state
Otakar Holuša, Kateřina Holušová, Marek Vařeka, Pavel Plaček
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(10):532-547 | DOI: 10.17221/65/2026-JFS
Face-to-face auctions of valuable timber assortments have operated regularly in the Czech Republic since 2015, but their development and market role have not previously been quantified. This study analysed 426 aggregated auction records from 2015–2025 and examined temporal trends in recorded auction volume and realised auction prices, seasonal distribution, species-specific offered volumes and the relationship between auction prices and comparable Czech national oak prices. Across the completed 2015/2016–2024/2025 seasons, recorded auction volume increased from 1 544.21 m3 to 14 681.95 m3, with an estimated mean increase...
Irrigation gaps and subsidy readiness in Hungarian forest nurseries
Béla Imre Kárpáti, Éva Király, Tamás Mertl
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(10):520-531 | DOI: 10.17221/70/2026-JFS
Climate change is intensifying pressures on European forest-nursery production, particularly during drought periods, yet no comprehensive national-level assessment of irrigation infrastructure and development needs has existed for the Hungarian sector. This study characterised irrigation infrastructure, willingness to participate in subsidy schemes, and development priorities among responding Hungarian forest tree nurseries, and assessed regional differences and associations among these characteristics. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to all 426 registered Hungarian forest nurseries. Over 20 days, 150 valid responses were received...
Area-based nature protection and stand attributes for assessing economic impacts on forest owners
Martin Němec, Roman Dudík, Roman Sloup
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(10):548-562 | DOI: 10.17221/85/2026-JFS
Forest conservation planning requires evidence of how administrative protection categories correspond to forest conditions. We linked three project-defined categories to 5 530 plots from the second Czech National Forest Inventory (2011–2015) and adjusted comparisons for stand age, forest vegetation zone, terrain and inventory year. The strong category showed a distinctive combination of attributes: greater broadleaf representation, more frequent standing deadwood and less frequent stump occurrence than both the reference and moderate categories. Adjusted standing-deadwood occurrence reached 31% in the strong category and 19% in the reference...
Corrigendum: Microclonal propagation of Cotoneaster melanocarpus as a tool for ecosystem restoration and resilience in Kazakhstan
Yedil Aishuk, Dani Sarsekova
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(9):500 | DOI: 10.17221/79/2026-JFS
Corrigendum
EU Deforestation Regulation, timber theft and illegal logging in Czech judicial practice
Petra Hlaváčková, Martin Cempírek
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(9):469-482 | DOI: 10.17221/67/2026-JFS
This study evaluates the potential of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to reduce timber theft and illegal logging through an analysis of Czech judicial practice. A qualitative content analysis of publicly available court decisions concerning illegal harvesting, timber theft and related forms of forest crime was conducted. The identified crime mechanisms were subsequently assessed against EUDR requirements concerning geolocation, due diligence, risk assessment and supply-chain traceability. The results show that illegal harvesting is a multi-stage process involving the selection of vulnerable forest properties, creation of apparent...
Simulated bark stripping reduces stem growth in young Norway spruce: Evidence from continuous dendrometer monitoring
Zdeněk Vacek, Stanislav Vacek, Jan Cukor, Veronika Hammerová, Jakub Černý, Václav Šimůnek, Richard Ševčík, Kateřina Brynychová, Václav Trojan, Jan Budínský
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(9):455-468 | DOI: 10.17221/71/2026-JFS
Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] is Europe's most important commercial tree species, whose stability, vitality, and production potential can be significantly compromised by cervids. Their populations in Europe have been growing over time. This study aimed to analyse the effect of simulated circumferential trunk damage – mimicking bark stripping by ungulates – on the diameter growth of young spruce trees through continuous measurements with point dendrometers at 15-minute intervals. Dendrometers were installed at two permanent research plots (PRPs) in the Lužické hory (Lusatian Mountains) and at another two PRPs in the...
Cross-scale assessment of pigment differences between healthy and bark-beetle-damaged Norway spruce stands using UAV and airborne hyperspectral imagery
Adenan Yandra Nofrizal, Lucie Červená, Jakub Lysák, Zuzana Lhotáková, Kristýna Štěpánová, Jana Albrechtová, Lucie Kupková
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(9):483-499 | DOI: 10.17221/61/2026-JFS
Chlorophyll and carotenoid content provide information on forest canopy condition and may reveal biochemical differences associated with disturbance. However, it remains uncertain whether these differences can be consistently detected from hyperspectral observations acquired at different spatial scales. We assessed pigment differences between two contrasting Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] reference stands: one without visible crown damage and one disturbed following bark beetle infestation in Krkonoše National Park, Czechia. The study combined 54 biochemical needle samples from 18 trees and simultaneous UAV Headwall Nano-Hyperspec®...
Morpho‑physiological traits and biomass scaling of the invasive Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.)
Prabina Sharma, David R. Coyle, James F. Palmer, Nilesh Timilsina, Jessica Hartshorn
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(9):441-454 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2026-JFS
Accurately estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) of invasive plant species is essential for understanding their prevalence, ecological impacts, and informed management strategies. Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear) is established throughout the eastern United States, yet species-specific biomass models and physiological trait data remain limited. We destructively sampled 40 single-stem trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ranging from 1.2 cm to 17.7 cm and height from 1.6 m to 10.3 m across six sites in South Carolina to quantify dry biomass, moisture content (MC), Carbon and Nitrogen ratios (C : N),...
Laboratory synthesis of ectomycorrhizae between ectomycorrhizal fungi and Pinus hosts
Jinqiu Li, Xiaofei Shi, Jing Li
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(8):400-421 | DOI: 10.17221/52/2026-JFS
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are integral components of forest ecosystems, playing crucial roles in ecological succession and biodiversity maintenance. Fossil evidence suggests that Pinaceae represent one of the earliest ectomycorrhiza-forming host lineages, and that the symbiotic relationship between Pinus species and ECM fungi is characterised by strong host specificity. Ectomycorrhizal fungi functionally substitute for root hairs, expanding the absorptive surface area of host root systems, thereby enhancing nutrient uptake, improving stress tolerance, and boosting the survival of outplanted seedlings. In recent years, ECM has garnered widespread...
Forest digital twin via big data integration: Current advances and future perspectives
Jialiang Yang, Chun Qin
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(8):383-399 | DOI: 10.17221/47/2026-JFS
Forest ecosystems face increasing pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, and human activities, necessitating innovative tools for management and prediction. Forest digital twin is emerging as a transformative tool for monitoring, simulating, and managing forest ecosystems. By integrating multi-source big data – satellite imagery, airborne and terrestrial LiDAR, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and process-based ecological models – the forest digital twin can provide dynamic, high-resolution representations of forest structure and function. This review integrates and analyses recent advances reported across 56 scholarly works...
Strategic asymmetry in a contractor-mediated forest biomass supply chain: Evidence from Central Slovakia
Lucia Kružlicová, Daniel Halaj
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(8):430-439 | DOI: 10.17221/55/2026-JFS
A reliable forest-biomass supply requires alignment among resource owners, processing contractors and energy users. This study examined governance and actor-specific strategic positions in a central Slovak chain comprising the state forest enterprise LESY SR, the contractor WorldWood and the Zvolen district-heating plant. Four management informants were interviewed using pre-tested semi-structured guides; the resulting factors were rated for impact (1–5) and importance (1–3), triangulated with documentary and operational evidence, and converted into weighted SWOT-TOWS coordinates. LESY SR (x = 16; y = –61) and the heating...
Microclonal propagation of Cotoneaster melanocarpus as a tool for ecosystem restoration and resilience in Kazakhstan
Yedil Aishuk, Dani Sarsekova
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(8):422-429 | DOI: 10.17221/41/2026-JFS
Corrigendum in: J. For. Sci. 2026 Sept 30;72(9):500. doi: 10.17221/79/2026-JFSDegradation of steppe ecosystems in Kazakhstan requires propagation methods for native woody species. Seed propagation of Cotoneaster melanocarpus Fisch. ex Blytt is slow and irregular owing to dormancy. This study evaluated the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on in vitro shoot regeneration and multiplication. Overall, 200 apical and nodal explants from 40 visually healthy, naturally growing donor shrubs were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with five BAP/IBA treatments (T0–T4). Regeneration...
Public perception of forest fires: The role of knowledge, socio-demographic factors, and implications for fire management
Agata Warczyk, Mateusz Szast, Lizardo Reyna Bowen, Salmon Johannes van Zyl, Anna Klamerus-Iwan
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(7):356-373 | DOI: 10.17221/46/2026-JFS
Forest fires are becoming an increasingly serious environmental and social problem, driven by climate change and growing anthropogenic pressure. While their ecological aspects have been widely studied, less attention has been paid to social perception and its impact on fire management. The aim of this study is to analyse the social perception of forest fires among respondents residing in Poland, with particular emphasis on levels of knowledge, attitudes, and perceived risk. A quantitative (Computer-Assisted Web Interview, CAWI) survey was conducted between November 2025 and February 2026, involving 246 participants. Statistical analyses included non-parametric...
Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in supranational migration of the Czech Republic
David Fryč, Karel Hradil, Svatopluk Rychlý, Eva Hrudová
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(7):323-339 | DOI: 10.17221/45/2026-JFS
This study analyses the bark beetle species spectrum (Scolytinae) in supranational migration across the Czech Republic (2020–2025) using a Johnson-Taylor suction trap network. Out of 2 129 identified individuals (45 species), Pityogenes chalcographus (Linnaeus, 1761) and Crypturgus cinereus (Herbst, 1793) were dominant, with their 2021 outbreak temporarily altering the community's proportional abundance. Ecological indices (H', J') confirmed an acute internal asymmetry caused by massive pest flights. The findings support the dispersal flight phenomenon, where individual scattering into vast air volumes explains the...
Optimisation of conversion of structurally homogeneous forest stands into uneven-aged forest structures using a multi-period Liocourt model
Jan Kašpar, Zohreh Mohammadi, Meryem Tahri
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(7):340-355 | DOI: 10.17221/44/2026-JFS
Uneven-aged forest management and Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) are increasingly discussed as adaptive silvicultural approaches capable of improving forest resilience under climate change, increasing disturbance frequency, and growing uncertainty in forest ecosystems. However, the conversion of structurally homogeneous stands into uneven-aged structures represents a complex optimisation problem involving economic performance, structural stability, regeneration continuity, and long-term sustainability. This study presents a multi-period optimisation framework based on size-class dynamics, transition matrices, and Liocourt-based structural regulation....
Differential responses of BVOC emissions in Pinus massoniana to drought stress and rehydration: Implications for climate change and air quality
Ming He, Xin Guan, Bing Huang, Zhentao Feng
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(7):374-381 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2026-JFS
Drought has been demonstrated to exert a substantial influence on the growth of plants and the chemical emissions thereof. The present study aims to examine the alterations in biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions and chemical compounds in Pinus massoniana seedlings under the conditions of drought stress and subsequent rehydration. The findings revealed that drought stress and rehydration significantly altered the emission of total BVOCs, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, with isoprene emission showing only a marginal decrease. Under conditions of drought stress, the emission of total BVOCs, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes increased...
Comparison of indirect optical methods for estimating effective leaf area index in young Norway spruce stands
Jakub Černý, Jaroslav Čepl, Zdeněk Vacek, Jan Cukor, Stanislav Vacek
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(6):285-296 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2026-JFS
Forest canopy structure is crucial for regulating light interception, carbon exchange, and water balance, making accurate estimation of leaf area index (LAI) essential for forest ecology and management. This study compared three indirect optical methods (LAI-2200 PCA, LaiPen LP 110, and digital hemispherical photography – DHP) for estimating effective leaf area index (LAIe) in young Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] stands. It evaluated the influence of the field of view (FOV) and seasonal timing on inter-method agreement. The research was conducted in young, even-aged Norway spruce stands at the Křivina...
Evaluation of selected forest ecosystem services in forest management planning using multi-criteria decision analysis: A pilot study in the Czech Republic
Jan Kašpar, Zohreh Mohammadi, Meryem Tahri
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(6):308-321 | DOI: 10.17221/43/2026-JFS
Forest ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services (ES), including timber production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, soil protection, and cultural functions. Integrating these often conflicting objectives into forest management planning represents a complex multi-criteria decision-making (MCDA) problem. This study proposes a practical MCDA framework for evaluating selected ecosystem services within the Czech forest management planning system (LHP/LHO). The framework integrates forest growth simulation, ecosystem service indicators, GIS data, and MCDA methods. Five indicators were evaluated: wood production, carbon stock, erosion...
Effects of red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) on early soil development during afforestation of nutrient-poor post-mining sands
Ondřej Špulák
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(6):297-307 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2026-JFS
The article aims to raise the knowledge on how the Northern red oak affects the soil formation and nutrient cycling compared to Scots pine during the early-stage reclamation of nutrient-poor mineral soil that originated in the deep soil layers in a former sand quarry. Furthermore, the aim is to also answer the question if the admixture of red oak helps to regenerate the soil properties more effectively than pure stands. Three treatments were established: pure red oak, pure pine, and a mixed stand, where organic [composite samples of L+F (litter and fermented), F+H (fermented and humic)] and mineral (A, C) soil horizons were analysed. The oak significantly...
The role of hyperspectral imaging in forest seedling phenotyping
Martina Đodan, Sanja Perić, Karmen Vugdelija
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(6):269-284 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2026-JFS
In recent years, hyperspectral imaging has been widely adopted in agriculture and plant phenotyping, while its application in forestry has been increasing. From that point onward, hyperspectral imaging has become a valuable tool for plant phenotyping, enabling the assessment of a broad range of plant traits. Given that seedlings of forest trees are one of the most widely used types of forest planting stock, advancements in hyperspectral technology have created new possibilities for improving seedling quality assessment. High-quality forest seedlings are important for the successful establishment of forest stands, especially after outplanting...
Drivers of silver fir regeneration success: Interactions between site conditions, game browsing and close-to-nature forest management
Michal Bledý, Jan Budínský, Zdeněk Vacek, Stanislav Vacek, Václav Šimůnek, Jakub Černý, Jan Cukor, Václav Trojan, Josef Gallo, Pavel Rus
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(5):236-245 | DOI: 10.17221/36/2026-JFS
Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is an ecologically and silviculturally important tree species in Central European forests due to its high production potential and increasing relevance under ongoing climate change. Therefore, its regeneration and promotion are of key importance for both ecosystem functioning and sustainable forest management. This study evaluates the potential of natural (four localities) and artificial (ten localities) regeneration of silver fir under close-to-nature silviculture across two natural forest areas (Křivoklátsko and Český kras; Brdská vrchovina) at altitudes of 362–570 m a.s.l. in Czechia. The objective...
Public communication in forestry: A focus on church property owners and entities in the Czech Republic
Kateřina Holušová, Jana Stachová, Eva Abramuszkinová Pavlíková, Pavel Fic, Otakar Holuša
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(5):256-268 | DOI: 10.17221/34/2026-JFS
This study evaluates the approach to public communication within economic entities managing ecclesiastical forest properties. Following the extensive property restitutions in the Czech Republic after 2012, forests owned by the church and religious societies now account for more than 5% of the country's total forest area. The communication practices of these entities were assessed through a questionnaire survey of 221 respondents (comprising forest visitors as part of a general sample), nine in-depth interviews with employees, and, in addition, a detailed analysis of communication methods used by five selected forestry subjects. The results indicate...
Analysing economic factors and forest cover impacts on water resource management: A comparative study of seven Slovak reservoirs
Klára Báliková, Marek Trenčiansky, Ján Bahýľ, Martina Štěrbová, Jaroslav Šálka
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(5):246-255 | DOI: 10.17221/33/2026-JFS
Water reservoirs (WR), as a key source of drinking water in Slovakia, face increasing challenges due to environmental pressures, economic aspects and technological limitations related to water collection and treatment. The aim of the study was to analyse and compare the economic external factors of seven major Slovak drinking water reservoirs (Málinec, Truček, Nová Bystrica, Hriňová, Klenovec, Starina, and Bukovec). The results of the study evaluated the following economic factors: (i) drinking water supply, (ii) drinking water demand, and (iii) average annual costs for drinking water treatment and purification. The last-mentioned...
Ozone phytotoxicity in the Czech Republic: Insights from exposure- and flux-based metrics and visible foliar injury in European beech and Norway spruce
Leona Vlasáková, Radek Novotný, Nina Benešová, Vít Šrámek, Václav Buriánek
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(5):213-235 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2026-JFS
This study evaluated the phytotoxic potential of ground-level ozone (O3) on native forest tree species at eight intensive forest monitoring plots in the Czech Republic. O3 risk was assessed using the exposure-based AOT40F (accumulated O3 concentration above 40 ppb for forest protection) and the flux-based POD1 (phytotoxic ozone dose above a flux threshold of 1 nmol O3 m−2⋅s−1 per leaf area) indices, together with data on visible foliar O3 injury. The analysis was based on data from the 2021–2023 vegetation seasons. AOT40F exceeded...
Hydrology and carbon pool characteristics regulate dissolved carbon export in a subtropical forest headwater stream
Zemin Zhao, Fuzhong Wu, Yan Peng, Qiqian Wu, Qiao Yang, Chaoxiang Yuan, Xiangyin Ni, Kai Yue
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(4):188-201 | DOI: 10.17221/68/2025-JFS
Headwater streams are key pathways for carbon (C) transfer from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. Sediments and plant litter constitute major C pools in streams, yet their roles in regulating dissolved carbon (DC) exports remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations and export through monthly sampling over one year in a subtropical forest headwater stream. DOC export peaked during the wet season (98.9 ± 171.8 kg·h–1), whereas DIC export showed no significant seasonal variation. During the wet season, C pool characteristics were...
Hydrological risks of clear-cuts after the bark beetle outbreaks and related forest management decisions in Central Europe
Vít Šrámek, Kateřina Neudertová Hellebrandová, Věra Fadrhonsová
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(4):161-173 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2026-JFS
The review synthesises current knowledge on the hydrological and hydrochemical risks associated with large-scale clear-cutting following unprecedented bark beetle outbreaks in Central Europe. By analysing 107 sources published primarily between 2000 and 2026, we evaluate the divergent impacts of natural forest dieback versus intensive salvage logging. The rapid loss of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] canopy has fundamentally altered the microclimate, shifting the energy balance from latent to sensible heat flux, which results in ground temperature increases of up to 5.2 °C. Hydrological consequences include a 16–48%...
Soil temperature and weather factors as key drivers of flowering phenology and nectar production in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Hungary
Alexandra Porcsin, Tamás Ábri, Helga Déri, Edit Zajácz, Bence Bolla, Katalin Szakálosné Mátyás, Károly Rédei, Zsolt Keserű
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(4):202-211 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2026-JFS
The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the second most planted tree species worldwide, and the most common in Hungary. Phenotypic traits, particularly flowering patterns, are well-established indicators of the species' response to climate change. This study examined four forest subcompartments across three Hungarian regions: Northern-Central, Eastern and Southern-Central. The aim was to identify climatic factors correlating with the onset and duration of the flowering period. Additionally, the relationships between these factors and nectar weight and sugar concentration were defined. Results indicate a strong negative correlation...
Tree-ring based climate reconstruction and growth–climate analysis of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Doi Khuntan National Park, northern Thailand
Kritsadapan Palakit, Khwanchai Duangsathaporn, Nathsuda Pumijumnong, Supasit Sriarkarin, Thanyaporn Bungbai, Pichit Lumyai
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(4):174-187 | DOI: 10.17221/78/2025-JFS
Tree-ring analysis is a valuable tool for understanding long-term climate patterns and their influence on tree growth. This study investigates the climate–growth relationships of Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) in Doi Khuntan National Park, northern Thailand (at elevations of 850 to 1 035 m a.s.l.), to reconstruct past climate and inform forest management. Using 48 cross-dated increment cores, we developed an 83-year chronology (1936–2018). Standard dendrochronological methods and regression models were applied. The radial growth of P. kesiya was primarily influenced by moisture availability, showing...
Balancing conservation and intervention: Managing forest diebacks in Slovakia's Tatra National Park
Paula Puškárová, Mikuláš Černota, Ján Slivinský
J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(3):119-135 | DOI: 10.17221/87/2025-JFS
Disturbance regimes in Central European mountain forests are changing under the ongoing climate change, raising questions about how protected areas should respond to increasingly frequent windthrow and bark beetle outbreaks. In Tatra National Park, a major windstorm in 2004 triggered a landscape-scale bark beetle eruption that challenged long-standing expectations that non-intervention alone could safeguard forest ecosystems. Using the Socio-Ecological Systems framework, we combined long-term field observations with archival sources and stakeholder interviews to examine how ecological dynamics, governance structures, and actor perspectives interacted...