Journal of Forest Science - Latest articles

Tree growth and soil recovery in Amazonian lands degraded by coca cultivation and grazing

Luis Walther Espinoza-Ambicho, Luis Alberto Valdivia-Espinoza, Warren Ríos-García, Martin Valtera, Luis Alberto Valdivia-Ruiz, Tito Felipe González-Manrique de Lara, Lenka Ehrenbergerová

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(8):393-405 | DOI: 10.17221/47/2025-JFS  

Soil degradation resulting from illicit coca cultivation and unsustainable grazing practices poses a major challenge to ecosystem restoration in the Peruvian Amazon. This study evaluates the potential of fast-growing tree species to rehabilitate degraded soils while producing economically valuable timber. Monoculture plantations of Corymbia torelliana (eucalyptus), Calycophyllum spruceanum (capirona), Colubrina glandulosa (shaina), and Cedrelinga cateniformis (tornillo) were established on former coca and pasture lands in the Alto Huallaga Valley. We assessed tree growth and key soil physicochemical properties – including...

Diameter growth performance of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) in northeastern Hungary

Tamás Ábri, Zsolt Keserű, Veronika Honfy, Károly Rédei

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(8):384-392 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2025-JFS  

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) is an important introduced tree species in Hungary, particularly in the Nyírség region. This study investigates its diameter growth (DBH) in six forest subcompartments, with stand ages ranging from 20 to 71 years. 5- and 25-year diameter increments were calculated. The distribution of diameter and diameter increment values was also determined. The results show significant growth across all sites. For example, quadratic mean diameter (QMD) increased from 16.4 cm to 30.4 cm over 25 years in the forest subcompartment Encsencs 12A, and from 20.3 cm to 38.4 cm in Ófehértó 2A....

Proposal of a conceptual framework for creating a model for the implementation of green growth indicators in the conditions of the Slovak Republic

Samuel Fekiač, Iveta Hajdúchová, Roman Dudík, Kim Hortenská, Martin Halász

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(8):373-383 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2025-JFS  

Green growth promotes sustainable economic development by protecting the environment and efficiently using natural resources. Supporting green growth enhances long-term sustainability, quality of life, and climate change mitigation. This article aims to propose a conceptual framework for implementing green growth indicators in Slovakia by comparing their perception with that of the Czech Republic. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 281 Slovak and Czech forestry enterprises [Nomenclature of Economic Activities (NACE) classification 02.10], with 1 365 responses. The findings highlight significant differences in the approach to green growth...

Silver fir restitution: The role of seedling stock type in adapting to various environmental conditions

Wojciech Kowalkowski, Radosław Jagiełło, Marlena Baranowska, Wladysław Barzdajn

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(7):358-371 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2025-JFS  

Due to past human activities, Abies alba Mill. (European silver fir) now covers only 0.7% of the forest area in the Sudety Mountains. A large-scale restitution program has been launched to produce, plant, and effectively protect over 200 million seedlings. This study aims to validate commonly used seedling stock types and provide critical insights into identifying the most effective one. Three-year-old bareroot seedlings were produced in the open-canopy nursery (3/0) or under-canopy nurseries in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (3/0 Sp) or Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst] (3/0 Ns) stands. Two stocks were produced in a...

Key features for forest bathing development: A Q-methodology study applied in Italy

Sofia Baldessari, Alessandro Paletto, Giorgia Di Domenico, Valerio Di Stefano, Sandro Sacchelli

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(7):347-357 | DOI: 10.17221/37/2025-JFS  

Forest bathing is gaining attention for its health and well-being benefits, leading to growing interest among academics, policymakers, and practitioners. While most studies have focused on its physiological and psychological effects, less is known about how different stakeholders perceive the characteristics that make forest bathing effective and meaningful. This study explored expert and non-expert perspectives on forest bathing in Italy through the Q-methodology, aiming to identify shared and divergent views on key aspects such as site features, accessibility, and perceived benefits. The results highlighted four distinct viewpoints: a scientific-health-oriented...

Forest ecosystem restoration in the Ore Mountains: A review of silvicultural measures addressing environmental degradation

Veronika Hammerová, Stanislav Vacek, Zdeněk Vacek, Jakub Černý, Jan Cukor, Josef Gallo, Michal Kuběnka

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(7):323-335 | DOI: 10.17221/34/2025-JFS  

The forest dynamics of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory), Czech Republic, reveal a historical decline of natural mixed forests, especially those dominated by the Hercynian mixture and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), due to the expansion of metallurgy and glassmaking in the 15^th century. This led to large-scale reforestation with Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.], resulting in single-layered monocultures. Although these monocultures provided valuable timber, they proved highly susceptible to both biotic and abiotic stressors. Throughout the 20^th century, the stability of these forests further deteriorated...

Forest as a biological asset – An accounting and tax perspective in the Czech Republic

Petra Hlaváčková, Jitka Fialová, Jiří Schneider

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(7):336-346 | DOI: 10.17221/31/2025-JFS  

This paper analyses the accounting and tax treatment of forests as biological assets in the Czech Republic under Act No. 563/1991 Coll., on Accounting, and its implementing regulations. It compares national approaches with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), focusing on the International Accounting Standard IAS 41 – Agriculture. A comparative-analytical method was used to identify key differences in classification, valuation, and reporting practices. Czech legislation values forests at historical cost and classifies them as non-depreciable land, whereas IFRS requires fair value measurement, capturing biological transformation...

Influence of the amount of water on the growth of one species and four hybrids of Paulownia in the first year of cultivation in Central Europe

Jiří Kadlec, Kateřina Novosadová, Martin Kománek, Radek Pokorný

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(6):286-296 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2025-JFS  

A lack or, conversely, an excess of water during the first growing seasons can bring about a slowdown in the growth of plants, their stagnation or even death. The necessary amount of water is not known for most hybrids of Paulownia. Therefore, one species and four hybrids were subjected to three regimes of watering to find out their impacts on plant height, radial growth, the amount of leaf biomass and leaf area. We planted 30 plants of each species/hybrid into plant pots under a shelter. At the end of the growing season, we measured the above-mentioned parameters. Our results showed that: (i) generally, a mean precipitation of 50 mm...

Climate change and topographic variations affect infestation by Xyleutes ceramica (Walker, 1865) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) in teak plantations in Thailand

Thanapol Choochuen, Jiří Foit, Ponthep Meunpong, Warong Suksavate

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(6):297-311 | DOI: 10.17221/15/2025-JFS  

The teak bee-hole borer [Xyleutes ceramica (Walker, 1865)] is considered one of the most serious pests of teak (Tectona grandis) in Thailand. The present study investigates climatic and topographic variables affecting the infestation of teak trees by X. ceramica in 10 plantations and predicts the risk of infestation by the species under current and future climatic conditions in Thailand. At each plantation, 48 plots evenly distributed among twelve teak stands were sampled. The infested teak trees in the plots were assessed, and the coordinates of the tree positions were recorded. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to assess...

Forest transformation effects on the soil water-holding capacity depend on the forest characteristics and soil properties: A case study in the subtropical regions of southeast China

Jiantao Zhou, Qiao Yang, Xin Peng, Qiqian Wu, Yan Peng, Yutong Zhang, Hualing Jiang, Fuzhong Wu, Kai Yue

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(6):312-322 | DOI: 10.17221/8/2025-JFS  

Forest transformation commonly occurs in subtropical areas due to extensive human disturbance. However, we know little about how forest transformation may affect the soil water-holding capacity. Here, we evaluated the effects of forest transformation from natural forests to secondary forests, Castanopsis carlesii plantations, and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations on the soil water-holding capacity, including the soil water content (SWC), maximum water holding rate (R_t), capillary holding rate (R_c), and non-capillary water holding rate (R_n), and assessed the influences of soil...

Forest certification management experience in Asia Pacific and Europe: A case study of Malaysia and Sweden

Shah Badri Mohd Nor, Ahmad Fariz Mohamed, Shamsul Khamis

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(6):269-285 | DOI: 10.17221/3/2025-JFS  

The forest certification is a voluntary programme to ensure that the timber harvested from forests is processed in a sustainable manner by following specific standards. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) was introduced in 1999 using the bottom-up approach, and it gives flexibility for a country to set up their own PEFC standard based on current practices in sustainable forest management (SFM), regulation, and governance. This practice has led to the development of various PEFC standards for each country; thus, the impact of PEFC certification differs from country to country. In accordance with that, this study aimed to...

Life cycle assessment of bioenergy production from short-rotation coppice plantation in Hungary

Budi Mulyana, Andrea Vityi, András Polgár

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(5):237-249 | DOI: 10.17221/10/2025-JFS  

A short-rotation coppice (SRC) system for bioenergy production is vital to supporting climate change mitigation by absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing carbon as biomass. However, SRC's operation also released some greenhouse gas emissions, affecting the environment. This study aims to assess the potential environmental impacts through the life cycle assessment method in bioenergy production from the SRC system. Data was collected through a literature review and database, and the impact categories were then analysed using Sphera LCA for Experts Education License software (Version 9.2.1.68, 2020). In managing plantations for bioenergy...

New knowledge in dragon tree research

Petr Maděra, Fabio Attorre, Kay Van Damme

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(5):205-217 | DOI: 10.17221/9/2025-JFS  

Dragon trees, arborescent members of the genus Dracaena (Asparagaceae), provide a wide range of ecosystem services and have been ethnobotanically important plants since ancient times. Currently, their relictual distribution is fragmented, populations are isolated and often under threat. We provide a brief overview of scientific studies and the state of knowledge on dragon trees published since 2020, when the last review was published. More than 120 papers dealing with dragon trees have appeared, indicating a significant interest in their research, cultural uses and conservation. The most intensively investigated species are Dracaena cochinchinensis,...

Changes in the concentration of CO₂ in forest soils resulting from the traffic of logging machines

Luboš Staněk, Jindřich Neruda, Radomír Ulrich

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(5):250-267 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2025-JFS  

The aim of the study was to find out whether and how the forest soil compaction resulting from the traffic of forest logging machines results in the increased soil air concentration of CO₂, occurring over a longer period of time and in different seasons of the year. Changes in the soil air CO₂ concentrations were monitored in two periods: in winter (cold period) and in summer (warm period). CO₂ concentrations were measured in compacted and non-compacted soil using a certified measurement. In addition to the soil concentration of CO₂, air temperature, soil temperature and soil moisture content were measured....

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., 2025, 71(5):218-236 | DOI: 10.17221/4/2025-JFS  

Corrigendum in: J. For. Sci. 2026 Feb 27;72(2):106. doi: 10.17221/16/2026-JFSThe response of forest trees to bark beetle attack involves substantial changes in terpene content, which varies between resistant and non-resistant species. Terpenes serve as crucial chemical defences against pests, and their production can be influenced by prior attack history, water stress, and biotic interactions. Moreover, the effectiveness of terpenes in resisting bark beetle attack is influenced by their chemical composition. Different tree species produce different types and amounts of terpenes that can affect their overall resistance levels. In conifers,...

Understanding societal priorities for forest ecosystem services: Survey insights from 'Forestry Days 2024' in Slovakia

Zuzana Sarvašová, Jozef Pajtík, Zuzana Dobšinská

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(4):195-204 | DOI: 10.17221/7/2025-JFS  

Understanding society's demand for forest ecosystem services (FES) is crucial for effective forest management and the development of supportive instruments, such as payments for ecosystem services (PES). This study surveyed visitors at 'Forestry Days 2024' in Slovakia through face-to-face questionnaires, capturing their views on FES and necessary management changes. Results show that regulating services and biodiversity are prioritised over cultural and provisioning FES. Respondents indicated a clear need for changes in forest management to reflect their FES preferences. Notably, perceptions of specific FES varied by gender, age, forestry background,...

Life cycle assessment of residential heat production from wood pellet combustion in the Northwest region of Russia

Egor Selivanov, Pavel Cudlín

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(4):182-194 | DOI: 10.17221/88/2024-JFS  

The increasing global demand for energy and the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel exploitation have driven interest in sustainable energy solutions, such as wood. The Russian Federation, as one of the world's largest pellet producers, has an opportunity to utilise pellets domestically. This study addresses the lack of publicly available life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on pellet production and utilisation in Russia, specifically examining the environmental impact of residential heat production from locally produced wood pellets. Utilising primary data from the Northwest region, the study follows ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and employs...

Effect of various lengths of cold stratification period on the germination of wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) seed samples harvested in the Czech Republic

Miroslav Šulitka, Ivan Kuneš, Martin Baláš, Kateřina Pešková, Přemysl Šedivka, Tomáš Holeček, Vilém Podrázský

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(4):171-181 | DOI: 10.17221/61/2024-JFS  

The paper deals with the assessment of the influence of the length of cold stratification period on the germination parameters of seeds of wild service tree [Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz]. The germination tests (4 × 100 seeds) were conducted in two runs in 2020 and 2021; they were performed for three seed lots and three cold stratification periods (two, three and four months) before the testing of germination in each run. The values of germination energy and germination capacity were assessed, and the germination rate was computed. The results showed that the two-month cold stratification period has not been sufficient to overcome the dormancy...

Status and trend analysis of the production, export and import of wood and wood products in the G20 countries from 2004 to 2021

Vinod Kumar Upadhyay, Ritesh Tailor, Rashmi Ramesh Shanbhag, Narasimha Murthy, Pradeep Kumar Kushwaha, Manish Ranjan

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(4):159-170 | DOI: 10.17221/42/2024-JFS  

The aim of this work was to study the use of different types of wood products by the G20 countries. In the current scenario, every country is concerned about the severe exploitation of forests and the ensuing lack of markets for timber. Production and consumption of wood and wood products by the G20 countries account for 85% of global GDP and two-thirds of the world's population. Data for the study includes eight major categories of wood products in the G20 countries from 2004 to 2021: industrial raw wood, sawlogs and veneer logs, sawn wood, wood fuel, wood-based panels, paper and paperboard, pulp for paper, wood pellets, and other agglomerates. Autoregressive...

Rainfall variability in the mountain forest catchments of Černá Opava tributaries in the Jeseníky Mountains

Vít Šrámek, Věra Fadrhonsová, Kateřina Neudertová Hellebrandová

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(3):138-148 | DOI: 10.17221/96/2024-JFS  

An unprecedented bark beetle outbreak has led to a significant decline in forest cover in Central Europe in the last 10 years, affecting an area estimated at more than 200 000 ha in the Czech Republic. Among the many ecological threats associated with extensive clearings, the potential alteration of hydrological processes is one of the most important. Therefore, after 2022, the precipitation–runoff balance in three catchments in the Jeseníky Mts. area was studied. This study focuses on the rainfall variability within the area, which was measured using 24 rain gauges deployed to cover different altitudes as well as the geographical exposures...

Hydraulic sizing of forest road pipe culverts

Karel Zlatuška, Petr Kupec, Martin Duchan, Alena Tichá, Jan Deutscher

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(3):113-123 | DOI: 10.17221/95/2024-JFS  

This article presents guidelines for assessing the optimal dimensions of forest road pipe culverts, based on input of actual and experimental data to standard engineering techniques. In doing so, we assess the need for (i) changes in the parametrisation of inputs (i.e. culvert micro-catchment dimensions, rainfall and resultant culvert flow, and culvert flow rates during culvert hydraulic dimensioning), and (ii) the need to redesign culvert outlets in relation to flow speed. Our results demonstrate that values for most inputs presently used under current technical practice for forest road pipe culvert sizing are significantly higher than...

Impact of technical water retention on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) resilience and growth dynamics

Zdeněk Vacek, Ivana Tomášková, Zdeněk Fuchs, Václav Šimůnek, Stanislav Vacek, Jan Cukor, Lukáš Bílek, Josef Gallo, Karel Zlatuška, Martin Duchan

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(3):124-137 | DOI: 10.17221/92/2024-JFS  

Global climate change (GCC) is putting increasing pressure on forest ecosystems, leading to more frequent disturbances such as pest outbreaks and other climate-related stressors, all of which threaten forest stability. This study examines how different technical water retention measures (infiltration pits) can enhance the resilience of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to these climatic challenges, focusing on their impact on radial growth, sap flow, and acclimatisation to moisture conditions at two sites in Czechia (430–440 m a.s.l.). Three treatments were compared: a water infiltration pit under a culvert mouth, an infiltration...

Carbon storage and climate mitigation effect in Central European forestry – To be managed, or left unmanaged?

Michal Synek, Emil Cienciala, Jaroslav Kubišta

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(3):149-158 | DOI: 10.17221/74/2024-JFS  

This study investigates differences in carbon storage between managed and unmanaged forests in the growth conditions of Central Europe. Norway spruce (Picea abies), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) dominated forest types were considered, as these are the most common forest species in the Czech Republic. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), as the second most common species, was excluded due to lacking relevant reference data on unmanaged forests. Managed and unmanaged variants of each forest type were assessed in terms of carbon sequestered in biomass, dead wood and harvested wood products (in...

Potential for monetisation and utilisation of wood raw material from pioneer tree species stands in the Czech Republic

Roman Dudík, Petra Palátová, Aleš Kůs, David Homolka, Andreas Nikodemus

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(2):99-111 | DOI: 10.17221/101/2024-JFS  

Pioneer tree species in the Czech Republic include birch, alder and aspen. From an economic point of view, birch seems to be the most promising. Greater use of timber from pioneer tree species in higher value-added products is currently limited by the low stocks of birch, alder and aspen in forest stands. A price survey was carried out in the Western Highlands region in the central part of the Czech Republic to obtain basic information on the prices of assortments of pioneer tree species. The prices of five assortments of raw timber were surveyed for the period 2019–2023. Very few of the prices of pioneer tree species were found for assortments...

Will cultural and regulatory forest services provide enough balance to provisioning services in forest enterprise portfolios in future? Marketing case studies of selected forest enterprises in Slovakia

Alex Bumbera, Daniel Halaj, Iveta Hajdúchová

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(2):59-71 | DOI: 10.17221/68/2024-JFS  

The study aims to identify the difference between the current and future strategic management of forest ecosystem services (FES) portfolios in public enterprises of Slovakia. The case studies focus on forest enterprises in Košice, Banská Štiavnica, Kremnica, and Bratislava, representing the best practice examples of providing cultural services in the country. A marketing decision-making model, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix, was used to analyse each company's current FES portfolio. Content analysis assessed the data collected from interviews with managers of the public forest enterprises. Duncker's forest management approaches classification...

Dynamic parameters of lowering loads at gradual tree felling

Tomáš Kotek, Jindřich Neruda

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(2):86-98 | DOI: 10.17221/66/2024-JFS  

The lowering of loads at gradual tree felling is the riskiest activity performed by tree climbers. During this activity, great forces emerge and act on the felled tree, while the tree climbers use the tree itself to anchor and secure their stance. This research aims to find out whether certain methods of work or the use of certain rigging for lowering loads exhibit positive features in reducing the forces acting on the anchoring point of the rigging system. The work methodology consists of three operations: (i) the calculation of the coefficient of shear friction for the combination of 4 ropes and 5 lowering devices – altogether...

Analysis of selected functional parameters of saw chains

Pavel Nevrkla, Luboš Staněk, Jindřich Neruda

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(2):72-85 | DOI: 10.17221/64/2024-JFS  

Results obtained from the research study focused on the functional parameters of five saw chains tested on a test bench equipped with an electrically driven chain saw brought a number of findings. One of the most important of them is the significant difference between the cutting rates of round and square chains. The cutting rate of square chains R = 27.9 cm²·s^–1 is about 12% higher than the cutting rate of round chains. The influence of the chain construction on the chain cutting rate was conclusively demonstrated – the cutting rate of chains with a square profile is higher than the cutting rate of round-profile...

List of reviewers 2024

Editorial Department

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(1):I-II  

Corrigendum: The importance of coarse woody debris in dynamic phases exposure in the beech (Fagus orientalis L.) stands of Hyrcanian forests

Vahid Etemad, Mohsen Javanmiri Pour, Zeinab Foolady

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(1):57 | DOI: 10.17221/11/2025-JFS  

High light availability offsets low naturalness regarding diversity but cannot compensate for reduced ecological value:
A case study of near-natural forests and tree plantations in Serbia

Khanh Vu Ho, Mirjana Ćuk, Andraž Čarni, Dragana Vukov, Miloš Ilić, László Erdös

J. For. Sci., 2025, 71(1):23-39 | DOI: 10.17221/59/2024-JFS  

In Eastern Europe, near-natural forest patches are decreasing and are gradually replaced by non-native plantations. Tree plantations are commonly thought to be simple ecosystems with low conservation value, although this conclusion is mainly based on simple taxonomic diversity indices, which ignore functional and phylogenetic diversity. In this study, our objective was to compare species composition, diagnostic species, taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, as well as naturalness status between two near-natural forest types (Quercus-Tilia and Populus alba) and two common plantation types (non-native Pinus sylvestris...