Journal of Forest Science - Latest articles

Are Czechs interested in employment in forestry?

Eva Abramuszkinová Pavlíková, Jana Stachová, Kristina Somerlíková, Eliška Svobodová, Zdeněk Šilhan, Kateřina Holušová

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(3):136-147 | DOI: 10.17221/10/2026-JFS  

This study analyses the professional interests and motivations of people regarding forestry careers. An online survey (N = 162) was conducted in May 2025. The study identifies the profile of a typical forestry candidate as an individual from a rural area, regardless of gender, who prioritises job security and personal satisfaction over high financial reward. The findings confirm that while forestry students show the strongest interest, intrinsic motivation and a personal relationship with nature are the primary drivers across the board. The key results indicate that practical field experience and communication with professionals significantly...

Degradation of Betula spp. under the influence of biotic factors in the forests of Ukrainian Polissia

Ivanna Kulbanska, Maryna Shvets, Svitlana Matkovska, Tetiana Melnyk, Vasyl Zayachuk, Nataliya Horbenko, Oleh Zymaroiev, Anastasiia Zymaroieva

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(3):148-160 | DOI: 10.17221/96/2025-JFS  

The paper examines the impact of biotic factors – mainly pests and pathogens – on the degradation of Betula spp. in the forests of Ukrainian Polissia. The taxonomic structure of the identified mycobiota includes representatives of 9 genera, 8 families, 5 orders, 4 classes, and two divisions (Ascomycota 44.4%, Basidiomycota 55.6%). Xylotrophic Basidiomycetes, particularly Fomitopsis betulina and Fomes fomentarius, pose the greatest threat due to their ability to destroy wood tissues. The bacterial pathogen Lelliottia nimipressuralis, the agent of wetwood, also plays a major role, impairing xylem water transport...

Hormetic growth of Pinus pseudostrobus seedlings exposed to low-dose gamma and X-ray irradiation

Laura Yasmin Flores López, César Valenzuela Encinas, Eulogio De la Cruz Torres, María de Lourdes Palafox Chávez, Ivar Diego Aceves Sánchez, Lourdes Georgina Iglesias Andreu

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(3):107-118 | DOI: 10.17221/83/2025-JFS  

Mexico ranks among the countries with the highest deforestation rates, increasing the demand for high-quality forest seedlings of valuable species such as Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl., which face germination limitations due to seed dormancy and low viability. Ionising radiation has emerged as an alternative pregermination treatment capable of inducing adaptive responses in plants through hormesis. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of gamma radiation (⁶⁰Co) and high-energy X-rays (linear accelerator, 6 MeV) on the germination, growth, and quality of P. pseudostrobus seedlings. A total of 1 440 seeds were irradiated...

Corrigendum: Changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content in resistant and non-resistant forest trees in response to bark beetle attack

Petr Soudek, Jan Rezek, Kateřina Moťková, Šárka Petrová, Pavlína Máchová, Adam Véle, Martin Fulín, Petr Hošek

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(2):106 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2026-JFS  

Boulders as functional microrefugia: Quantifying a continental-like microclimate supporting Pinus cembra at its oceanic range margin

Yann Fragnière, Stéphanie Morelon, Alain Müller, Gregor Kozlowski

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(2):82-92 | DOI: 10.17221/8/2026-JFS  

Climatic microrefugia allow some forest tree species to persist outside their main distribution range by locally decoupling site conditions from the regional climate. At its western, oceanic range margin in the Swiss Prealps, the Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) occurs on large boulders embedded within subalpine forests dominated by Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.]. We hypothesised that these landforms generate a continental-like microclimate enabling P. cembra persistence under otherwise sub-oceanic conditions, and we aimed to quantify this phenomenon. Using high-resolution data loggers, we measured air and soil...

Height growth of Quercus petraea coppices: Effects of tree type, stand management, and site conditions – A case study from the Czech lowlands

Jan Kadavý, Michal Kneifl, Barbora Uherková

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(2):93-105 | DOI: 10.17221/7/2026-JFS  

This study examines height growth and its driving factors in stools and standard trees, the two key structural components of coppice-with-standards stands. We focused on sessile oak [Quercus petraea agg. (Matt.) Liebl.] stands over 90 years old at two contrasting sites near Brno (South Moravian Region, Czech Republic): one actively managed and one left unmanaged for more than 40 years as a strict nature reserve. Tree heights were analysed using two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc tests and multinomial logistic regression. A total of 1 239 trees were measured (584 stools and 655 standards). Standard trees were the tallest...

Coppice forests: Between management, conversion and restoration

Valeriu-Norocel Nicolescu, Gavriil Spyroglou, Sanja Perić, Martina Đodan, Cornelia Buzatu-Goanță, Milun Krstic, Joao Carvalho, Iryna Matsiakh, Halil Bariş Özel, Pande Trajkov, Miriam Piqué, Ćemal Višnjić, Debbie Bartlett

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(2):57-72 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2026-JFS  

Coppice is the oldest form of systematic and sustainable use of forests, and is currently applied on about 29 million ha (about 14% of total forest land area) in Europe. It had its maximum spread in the 16^th century, when an estimated 36% of all forested land in Europe was managed for coppice. Coppice forests were the most important source of fuelwood until the mid-19^th century, when firewood and charcoal were substituted by alternative fuels, and the demand for construction wood increased. Consequently, coppices (both low and coppice-with-standards) started to be converted to high forests, and the process was driven by national...

Altitudinal patterns of woody vegetation diversity in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, a Mediterranean mountain

Moussa Masoud, Hazandy Abdul-Hamid, Johar Mohamed, Attia Alsanousi

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(2):73-81 | DOI: 10.17221/92/2025-JFS  

This study examines the floristic composition, structural attributes, diversity patterns, and distribution of endemic woody species along an altitudinal gradient in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar mountain of northeastern Libya. Stratified sampling was conducted across four elevation zones on the northern and southern slopes. Phytosociological parameters – including density, basal area, importance value index, and diversity indices – were assessed, and Pearson correlations were used to evaluate relationships with altitude and aspect. A total of 61 woody species from 43 genera and 26 families were recorded, highlighting the region's biodiversity....

List of reviewers 2025

Editorial Department

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(1):I-II  

Unearthing the hidden domain of epicormic shoots: Insights into forest management impacts on Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.

Igor Štefančík, Stanislav Vacek, Zdeněk Vacek, Michal Kuběnka, Václav Šimůnek, Josef Gallo

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(1):28-41 | DOI: 10.17221/2/2026-JFS  

Forest management of durmast oak stands [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] is focused on the production of high-quality assortments for the furniture industry. Due to various forest management factors and impacts of climate change, their vitality and quality are often reduced. Sudden illumination of the oak trunk caused by management cuts can lead to epicormic shoot formation. This study compared two localities and nine long-term research plots at the stand age of 62–68 years in Slovakia. While one locality was affected by the massive dieback of oak in the past, the other was not. The epicormic shoot occurrence was monitored separately in...

Biomechanical optimisation strategy for selecting native shrubs and herbaceous plants with superior soil and water conservation properties in combating land degradation in central-western Inner Mongolia

Rile Ge, Wei Zhao, Hui Zhi, Yahui Lu, Shuaixin Wei

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(1):42-55 | DOI: 10.17221/95/2025-JFS  

To enhance the biomechanical database of plant root systems for soil reinforcement and erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions, and to provide a scientific basis for selecting superior native shrub and herb species in forestry and grassland measures for desertification control in central and western Inner Mongolia, this study investigated the root-soil interfacial friction characteristics of five typical native plant species – Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides, the semi-shrub Hedysarum mongolicum, and the perennial herbs Medicago sativa and Astragalus adsurgens – in two widely distributed...

Effect of livestock and vegetation structure on Carabidae (Coleoptera) diversity in dehesas of the Iberian Peninsula

Ana M. Cárdenas, Carmen Torres, Juan M. Hidalgo

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(1):14-27 | DOI: 10.17221/54/2025-JFS  

The response of carabid beetles to extensive livestock farming and vegetation structure in two traditionally managed 'dehesa' ecosystems was investigated. From March 2011 to January 2012, sampling was done, using pitfall trapping, on two forestry farms located in the Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park (Córdoba, Spain), both with hunting use, but one of them also with a heavy livestock load. On each forestry farm, two sampling plots were selected according to the vegetation structure. Faunal differences were proved through the ecological indices, and the faunal uniqueness was checked by the Coldwell and Coddington Complementarity Analysis. To identify...

Soil macroarthropod dynamics in response to environmental disturbances in a forest remnant ecosystem: A case study at Cibodas Botanical Garden

Anita Rianti, Fenky Marsandi, Taufikurrahman Nasution, Musyarofah Zuhri, Muhammad Efendi, Hari Prayogi, Setyawan Agung Danarto, Hidayatul Fajri, Vivin Silvaliandra Sihombing, Dian Anggraini Indrawan

J. For. Sci., 2026, 72(1):1-13 | DOI: 10.17221/38/2025-JFS  

Disturbing the remaining forest ecosystem in the Cibodas Botanical Garden (CBG) has affected the dynamics of the soil macroarthropod communities. This study was conducted in three remaining forest locations in the CBG with different levels of disturbance. Soil macroarthropod samples were collected using the pitfall trap method with 30 traps and analysed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Pielou's evenness, Simpson's dominance, and Margalef's species richness to assess the dynamics of the soil macroarthropod community. This study analysed how these communities respond to different levels of disturbance in the garden, namely Jalan Akar (JA;...

Leaf area index and soil water content responses to pre-commercial thinning in Norway spruce plantations under climate change

Jakub Černý, Zdeněk Vacek, Jan Cukor, Dominik Báňa, Stanislav Vacek

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(12):599-613 | DOI: 10.17221/79/2025-JFS  

Global climate change (GCC) and increasing drought frequency pose a threat to the stability of European forests, particularly those of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantations. We investigated how different pre-commercial thinning (PCT) intensities affect leaf area index (LAI) and its relationship to soil water content (SWC) in young spruce stands in northeastern Czechia. Three permanent research plots in a 13-year-old monoculture were subjected to mild PCT, heavy PCT, or left as an unthinned control in winter 2019/2020. Thinning caused an immediate decrease in LAI, with averages of 8.3 ± 1.1 m²·m^–2...

The new EU Timber Regulation 2023/1115 and its legal implications for the Czech forestry and timber sector

Petra Hlaváčková, Martin Cempírek, David Březina

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(12):575-588 | DOI: 10.17221/82/2025-JFS  

Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products (EUDR) establishes a substantially revised legal framework that extends beyond the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR 995/2010) by integrating legality, sustainability, and traceability obligations. This article provides a legal and comparative assessment of the implications of the EUDR for the Czech forestry and timber sector. The methodological approach combines doctrinal interpretation of EU legislation, comparative analysis of national implementation models, and an examination of relevant case law. Experiences from selected EU Member States are used to illustrate institutional, technological,...

Variation in wood density between mature sessile oak and English oak trees growing in different vegetation zones

Vladimír Gryc, Kyriaki Giagli, Sergei Mikhailov, Marko Stojanović, Dimitrios Tsalagkas, Hanuš Vavrčík, Petr Horáček

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(12):614-623 | DOI: 10.17221/74/2025-JFS  

Wood density is a fundamental functional trait influencing ecological adaptation, hydraulic safety, and timber utilisation in temperate hardwoods. This study investigated variation in wood density (12% moisture) across mature stands of two economically and ecologically vital European oak species, sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] and English oak (Quercus robur L.), growing in their characteristic vegetation zones in the Czech Republic. We assessed wood density at two heights (at 1.3 m and at the crown base) across six trees per plot and examined its relationship with tree-ring width and height. Results demonstrated statistically...

Effect of pine afforestation on soil physicochemical properties compared to pasture land: A case study in Kosovo

Betim Bresilla, Muhamet Zogaj, Tamás András Szegi, Bekri Xhemali, Gazmend Gjinovci, Florentina Racaj, Zenun Husaj

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(12):589-598 | DOI: 10.17221/73/2025-JFS  

This study investigates the long-term effects of pine (Pinus nigra) afforestation on soil characteristics in comparison to adjacent pastureland in central Kosovo. Soil samples (n = 24) were collected from two land-use types, pine plantations and grassland, over three topographic positions (lower, medium, upper) and two depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). Standard laboratory techniques were used to determine soil organic matter (SOM), organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH (H₂O and CaCl₂), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and bulk density (BD)....

Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) establishment success under climate change: Effect of site, stock type and planting time

Anna Plačková, Zdeněk Vacek, Stanislav Vacek, Jan Cukor, Josef Gallo, Jakub Černý

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(11):555-564 | DOI: 10.17221/84/2025-JFS  

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widespread and economically important coniferous species in the Northern Hemisphere. However, its regeneration success has recently been increasingly affected by global climate change (GCC), particularly through increasing mortality. This research aimed to evaluate the early establishment success of 30 400 bare-root and containerised Scots pine seedlings and saplings of different height classes, planted at various times on acidic and gleyed sites (479–610 m a.s.l.) across four locations in the Czech Republic. On acidic sites, seedlings exhibited 16% higher height growth and 11% lower mortality...

Comparison of shelterwood and clear-cut regeneration methods on morphological traits of naturally regenerated sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seedlings

Eliška Žižková, Martin Kománek, Dominika Krausková, Jakub Černý

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(11):542-554 | DOI: 10.17221/77/2025-JFS  

The natural regeneration of the sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] is an important aspect of sustainable forest management, especially given the ongoing global climate change and the need to maintain forest stand stability and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various regeneration methods on the growth of naturally regenerated sessile oak in the Masaryk Forest Training Enterprise Křtiny, Czech Republic. The research was conducted in seven forest stands where regeneration felling was applied after masting in 2022 (winter 2022/2023) using clear-cut (CC) and shelterwood (S) systems. A total of 531 seedlings...

Effects of tree characteristics and climatic conditions on gall midge abundance on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Adam Véle, Martin Fulín, Maan Bahadur Rokaya, Karolína Bílá

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(11):565-573 | DOI: 10.17221/64/2025-JFS  

As a consequence of climate change and damage to coniferous forests, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the preferred plant species for forest restoration in Central Europe. European beech is generally regarded as pest-resistant. However, its vulnerability to secondary pests, for instance, gall-forming midges, may increase with environmental stress such as long drought periods. We analysed the abundance of two gall-forming insects, Mikiola fagi and Hartigiola annulipes, on European beech at 26 forest sites across the Czech Republic, spanning diverse climatic and environmental conditions, using generalised linear mixed models...

A review of research on hybrid unmanned vehicles in complex forest and grassland terrains

Peng Wang, Kangkang Pan, Jun Yuan, Sipu Pan, Yujin Yang

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(11):525-541 | DOI: 10.17221/65/2025-JFS  

The sustainable management of European forest ecosystems necessitates innovative mechanisation solutions to address operational challenges in hilly, mountainous, and ecologically sensitive terrains. Hybrid-drive unmanned vehicles (HDUVs) present a transformative potential by integrating fuel-electric powertrains with autonomous navigation systems, enabling energy-efficient operations with minimal environmental impact. This review synthesises and critically analyses advancements in three critical domains: (i) dynamic modelling and chassis design for enhanced terrain adaptability, (ii) hybrid powertrain optimisation for reduced emissions...

Himalayan fir growth in central Bhutan reflects variability in temperature and precipitation

Jiří Lehejček, Gabriel Vávrů, Sangay Wangchuk, Miroslav Svoboda, Katrien Boonen

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(10):516-524 | DOI: 10.17221/58/2025-JFS  

Mountain ecosystems, especially those at the highest altitudes, are sensitive to current climate change. Proxy archives may provide an insightful tool to better understand ongoing changes and evaluate future scenarios. Trees have traditionally been used as such archives, as they often respond sensitively to environmental change. Thus, we studied tree-ring records of forest-line species Abies densa Griff. growing in the Eastern Himalayas, central Bhutan, to evaluate the effect of climate on the growth of this species. The annual chronologies were generated using standard dendrochronological methods and then compared with climatic data from the...

Progress and prospects in understanding the effects of forest management practices on soil nitrogen cycling

Lili Liu, Chenyi Yu, Jiayi Yang, Zijun Zhang, Qingwei Guan

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(10):469-481 | DOI: 10.17221/61/2025-JFS  

Soil nitrogen (N) cycling plays a pivotal role in forest ecosystem productivity and nutrient regulation. This review synthesises recent advances in understanding how forest management practices influence soil nitrogen cycling and highlights future research priorities for elucidating underlying mechanisms and optimising forest ecosystem functioning (Figure 1). Management interventions such as thinning, species composition adjustment, and understory vegetation control have been shown to affect N inputs and transformation pathways by modifying litter quality, microbial community structure, and N-cycling enzyme activities. However, current findings remain...

Modulating Norway spruce growth and resilience through thinning intensity under climate change conditions

Petra Jablonická, Pavel Horák, Jakub Černý

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(10):482-500 | DOI: 10.17221/55/2025-JFS  

In recent decades, Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands have become increasingly vulnerable to frequent droughts and associated outbreaks of secondary biotic pests, resulting in significant degradation of forest ecosystems. To preserve their production and ecological functions, it is necessary to apply well-adapted silvicultural practices that mitigate the risk of stand decline. This study examines the effects of two thinning intensities (moderate and heavy) on stand productivity and resilience under varying site conditions. Three long-term research sites with paired differently thinned plots located within and outside the natural range of Norway...

The use of LiDAR for the documentation and modelling of cultural heritage sites hidden by the forest canopy

Nikola Žižlavská, Stanislav Herber

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(10):501-515 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2025-JFS  

The large number of charcoal kiln sites (CHKS) preserved as cultural heritage monuments demonstrates how extensive forest management for charcoal production has influenced the present forest dynamics and contributed to industrial expansion. Therefore, it is necessary not only to have a reliable methodology for detecting and documenting individual kiln sites for management and protection purposes but also to present the results in a meaningful way to the public. The aim is to optimise the data processing workflow from airborne laser scanning (ALS) point cloud to printable model (from LAS format to STL), determine the influence of vegetation cover at...

Criminal tax offences in the Czech timber trade: A judicial practice analysis

Martin Cempírek, Petra Hlaváčková, Dalibor Šafařík

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(9):456-467 | DOI: 10.17221/36/2025-JFS  

This article presents a doctrinal legal analysis of judicial practice concerning criminal tax offences in the Czech timber trade, with a primary focus on VAT fraud. Court decisions were examined thematically to identify key categories of fraud schemes, recurring evidentiary challenges, and patterns of judicial reasoning. Administrative and regulatory frameworks, such as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), have played only a marginal role in Czech judicial practice, with a single decision explicitly referring to the EUTR. The findings highlight how courts rely on indicators such as fictitious supply chains, economically irrational transactions, and incomplete...

Potential of Thuja plicata and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana in the context of global climate change in the Czech Republic

Pavel Horák, Petra Jablonická, Robert Knott

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(9):426-440 | DOI: 10.17221/51/2025-JFS  

The introduction of non-native tree species is considered a potential adaptation strategy to global climate change (GCC) in the forestry sector. As some of the most widespread native species are undergoing stand disintegration due to both abiotic and biotic stressors, the search for alternative species becomes essential. These species can overwhelm native species with both production potential and adaptation to a changing climate. The research focused on climate-growth relationships of two introduced species of the Cupressaceae family, western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) and Lawson's cypress [Chamaecyparis lawsoniana...

Additive volume-equation systems for Pinus ayacahuite and Pinus douglasiana in temperate forests of the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico

Wenceslao Santiago-García, Jonathan Ramírez-Arce, Agustín Ramírez-Martínez, Adan Nava-Nava, Juan Carlos Guzmán-Santiago, Elías Santiago-García

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(9):441-455 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2025-JFS  

Volume models are essential tools for quantifying timber stocks and optimising forest utilisation. This study aimed to develop additive volume systems based on one- and two-entry simultaneous equations for Pinus ayacahuite Ehrenb. ex Schltdl. and Pinus douglasiana Martínez. Destructive sampling of 55 P. ayacahuite trees and 65 P. douglasiana trees was conducted in the communal forest of Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, southern Mexico. The additive systems were fitted using non-linear seemingly unrelated regression to estimate tree-volume components: stem and branch volumes, with whole-tree volume being the sum of both. The systems...

Development of sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seed coating material against rodents and evaluation of its performance on seed germination and emergence

Mesut Tandoğan, Mehmet Özdemir, Vedat Aslan, Ahmet F. Hacıyusufoğlu, Ali Ayhan Kul, Emine Şen, Kaan Polatoğlu, Duygu Sultan Oran, Feyza Arıcıoğlu, İlhami Turan, Salih Atmaca

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(9):417-425 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2025-JFS  

Protecting sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seeds from rodents is crucial to ensure successful germination and emergence in activities such as artificial regeneration, afforestation, and seedling production. This study examined the effects of 12 natural or nature-identical substances, believed to have repellent properties, on the germination, emergence, and survival of sessile oak acorns under both laboratory and field conditions. Acorns were coated using a diatomaceous clay-based pellet system, and a Y-maze experiment was conducted to evaluate rodent behaviour. As a result of the research, among the tested substances, Ferulago...

Assessing the accuracy of a root detector in mapping radial tree root distribution

Mochammad Taufiqurrachman, Utami Dyah Syafitri, Goh Mia Chun, Lina Karlinasari

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(8):406-415 | DOI: 10.17221/27/2025-JFS  

A root detector is a non-destructive technology developed to indicate the radial distribution of tree roots, which are not often visible on the surface. This study aims to assess the accuracy of the root detector in estimating the radial distribution of both exposed and buried tree roots. Six Agathis loranthifolia Salisb. trees were selected, three with exposed roots and three with buried roots. The Fakopp® root detector, an acoustic-based tool, was used in this study. Root estimation was based on a combination of threshold values (> 400 m·s^–1), average values, and the peak of the sound wave velocity. Soil...