Journal of Forest Science - Latest articles
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Soil temperature dynamics in the forest shelterbelt and in the field
Aneta Kohútová, Jan ©tykar
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):545-559 | DOI: 10.17221/52/2024-JFS 
This study compares soil temperature data collected between 2019 and 2022 in Hru¹ky, South Moravia, Czech Republic. Soil temperature was measured at five depths (5, 10, 20, 50, 100 cm) in the forest shelterbelt (windbreak) and at three distances from it to investigate the impact of the shelterbelt on the climatic conditions of adjacent field plots. In particular, monthly averages, calculated from average daily temperatures, were employed to characterise the temperature course. These are calculated as averages of measured temperatures at 15-minute intervals. Absolute and relative differences and, where appropriate, base indices, were calculated...
Impacts of management and changed hydrology on soil microbial communities in a floodplain forest
Jiøí Volánek, Martin Valtera, Ladislav Holík, Martin Kománek, Hana Burdová, Josef Trögl, Diana Polanská Nebeská, Jitka Novotná, Pavel Samec, David Juøièka
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(11):574-592 | DOI: 10.17221/44/2024-JFS
Long-term human activities substantially altered floodplain regions of temperate Europe. Forest management and extensive changes in hydrology greatly affected natural floodplain soil properties, in which microbes play key roles. This study aims to assess the effects of human activities through a gradient of forest management intensity on soil microbial community (SMC), its biomass, activity, and structure. Soil chemical and physical-chemical properties were used to explain the general associations and within-site variation using principal component analysis (PCA), linear regression (LR) and linear mixed-effect regression (LMER) models. It was found...
Economic parameters of the natural forest regeneration in changing conditions – A case study
Stanislav Novotný, Josef Gallo, Vilém Podrázský
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(10):529-538 | DOI: 10.17221/56/2024-JFS
Natural regeneration is a crucial factor in improving the economy of forest estates. The presented study analysed the economic parameters of three different approaches to forest regeneration: (i) artificial regeneration with Norway spruce, (ii) a 25% admixture of soil-improving and stabilising species (SSTS), and (iii) natural regeneration. The expenses for these specific operations related to individual regeneration methods were derived. These variants were investigated before the bark beetle calamity (2014) and after the outbreak (2023) for management sets (MS) 531, 551, 571, and 591, i.e. for acidic, nutrient-rich, gleyed, and...
Stand structural analyses of grey poplar (Populus × canescens) stands focused on the expected volume in Hungary
Tamás Ábri, Zsolt Keserû, Veronika Honfy, Attila Borovics, Károly Rédei
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(10):539-544 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2024-JFS
Grey poplar (Populus × canescens) is a natural hybrid of white poplar (Populus alba L.) and Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.). It could play a significant role in the afforestation of marginal sites which stretch out on ever more areas due to the negative effects of local climate change. Based on stand structure analyses of grey poplar stands grown on the sandy sites of Hungary, the following relations were found: There is a strong relationship between tree height and stand volume (R2 = 0.7256), as well as between basal area per ha and stand volume (R2 = 0.9158). There is a moderate relationship...
Characteristics of the workplace of harvester operators in Poland
Dominika Gaj-Gielarowiec, Karol Gielarowiec, Grzegorz Szewczyk, Pawe³ Tylek
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(10):501-511 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2024-JFS
The objective of the presented research was to create an average image of a harvester operator in Poland and to identify factors influencing the degree of mental workload. We used a survey of environmental assessments of workload. The creation of an electronic survey and the support of a company that indirectly employs operators (State Forests) made it possible to reach a large group of surveyed people. The respondents indicated the occurrence of ailments typical of sedentary work at the researched workstation. These included mainly monotony, back pain and numbness in the upper limbs. Stress at work was felt by the majority of respondents; hence...
Mechanical and physical properties of three Eucalyptus spp. clones planted in Thailand
Trairat Neimsuwan, Kitipong Tangkit, Chakrit Na Takuathung, Nopparat Kaakkurivaara, Ponthep Meunpong, Narinthorn Jumwong, Pattama Sangvisitpirom, Tomi Kaakkurivaara
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(10):512-528 | DOI: 10.17221/34/2024-JFS
Eucalyptus plantations are an important source of raw materials for the Thai forest products industry. Despite its economic value, only a few noncomprehensive papers have been published about the wood properties and fungal susceptibility of eucalyptus. Our study covered the most commonly used commercial eucalyptus clones with a wide variety of sizes from eastern Thailand. We assumed that the properties of the clones would differ based on the tree sizes. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH), size, and clone type on wood properties and mould susceptibility. The optimal usage of each log...
Preliminary results from simultaneous planting of Fagus sylvatica and pioneer species on calamity clearings
Antonín Martiník, Zdenìk Adamec, David Bøezina, Jiøí Krásenský
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(9):492-500 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2024-JFS
We compared the biological and economic effects of simultaneous artificial regeneration of mixtures of pioneers (birch – Betula pendula Roth or aspen – Populus tremula L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) with plots of monospecific beech. During the period of two years, the height of young beech trees, their mortality, and the regeneration cost were analysed in the following treatments: monospecific beech (9 000 pcs·ha−1), monospecific beech (5 000 pcs·ha−1), beech/birch (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha−1) and beech/aspen (5 000/2 500 pcs·ha−1)....
Vegetation composition, chemical element flows and their interactions in the forested riparian zone: An example from a small stream in Latvia
Līga Pentju¹a, Toms Artūrs ©tāls, Arta Bārdule, Zane Lībiete, Linda Gerra-Inohosa
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(9):476-491 | DOI: 10.17221/32/2024-JFS
Riparian vegetation plays a major role in maintaining biodiversity and reducing the negative impact of nutrient leaching into aquatic ecosystems. However, the knowledge on the interactions between riparian vegetation and other environmental factors is still incomplete for planning sustainable riparian forest management. The aim of this study was to explore interactions between riparian forest ecosystem components along a small stream. Interactions between vegetation structure, chemical composition of soil and groundwater, as well as chemical element flows via litterfall and precipitation were studied in seven 50 m long transects located in the...
Using marteloscope in selection forestry – Study case from 'Pokojná hora' (Czech Republic)
Jan Kadavý, Jana Kneiflová, Michal Kneifl, Barbora Uherková
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(9):447-457 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2024-JFS
In today's forestry practices, integrated management is the prevailing approach. One method gaining traction is retention forestry, where certain trees, known as biotope trees providing microhabitats (TreMs), are preserved during harvesting operations. This article delves into hands-on training for marking interventions using marteloscope plots, focusing specifically on 'Pokojná hora,' a 1-hectare plot situated in the southeast of the Czech Republic. Field surveys were conducted using FieldMap technology, capturing essential data for all trees: coordinates, species, diameter, height, and health status. Additionally, details such as wood quality, economic...
Age-related phenological and anatomical response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) under severe summer drought conditions
Dimitrios Tsalagkas, Hanu¹ Vavrèík, Vladimír Gryc, Kyriaki Giagli
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(9):458-475 | DOI: 10.17221/16/2024-JFS
The year 2018 was distinguished by a warm summer with extended periods of low or no precipitation. In this context, we investigated the intra-annual dynamics of xylem differentiation phases and quantitative vessel anatomy to analyse the age effect on the xylem formation response of younger (50 years) and older (135 years) mature European beech trees under summer drought conditions. The xylem formation dynamics of young and old trees were performed on microcores collected at weekly intervals in the Rájec-Nìmèice ecological station in the South Moravia region (Czech Republic). The onset of xylem formation was found identical in both age trees, and most...
Effect of the body mass index and length of work on the stress of individual body parts of chainsaw operators
Lubo¹ Stanìk, Václav Mergl
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(8):436-445 | DOI: 10.17221/26/2024-JFS
The subject of this study is to point out the issue of various impacts of musculoskeletal disorders in chainsaw operators and their impact on human health. The first goal was to find out whether the body mass index is responsible for excessive stress to individual parts of the body of chainsaw operators at work. The second goal was to determine whether the excessive load to the individual body parts is affected by the time of working with the chainsaw. Questionnaires created for the fulfilment of the goals were distributed to professional forest loggers working in the Czech Republic, which were filled in by 161 of them. Questions in the first part...
Candidate natural enemy assemblage for the biological control of Lymantria dispar L. in oak (Quercus spp.) with different levels of pest infestation
Gloria López-Pantoja, Antonia María Paramio, Sebastiana Malia, Israel Sánchez-Osorio
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(8):420-435 | DOI: 10.17221/14/2024-JFS
Mediterranean Quercus forests have great ecological importance but face numerous threats, including pests. The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar L., is a major oak defoliator across its geographical range and has a natural enemy complex that may control its population dynamics. This study aimed to investigate candidate predators (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae, Ichneumonidae, Pteromalidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Ceraphronidae, Eulophidae, Eupelmidae and Trichogrammatidae; and Diptera: Tachinidae), for the control of L. dispar...
Overstorey leaf production and emergence of sassafras saplings in a southwest Missouri oak woodland: An analysis based upon long-term effects of fire
Sanjeev Sharma, Alexander Wait, Puskar Khanal
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(8):407-419 | DOI: 10.17221/8/2024-JFS
Missouri Ozark woodlands are a unique, but imperilled ecosystem type due to fragmentation, lack of proper management and a changing climate. The management, restoration, and conservation of Ozark woodlands is a conservation priority. The Ozark woodlands contribute to the sequestration of carbon and nutrients through their robust productivity, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the biomass and soil while cycling essential nutrients to support the ecosystem's health and vitality. We have assessed the over- and mid-storey leaf production, collecting leaves in baskets every autumn in a 1 200-ha conservation...
The role of the water regime in a reclaimed limestone quarry
Marcela Burnog, Ale¹ Kuèera
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(8):391-406 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2024-JFS
This study focused on the hydrophysical characteristics of an abandoned limestone quarry in Czechia. Six sites were examined; two sites were undergoing natural succession (the Quarry Wall and Reed Canary Grass plots, which had undeveloped arboreal layers) and four sites were undergoing managed forest reclamation. Of the four forest reclamation sites, three were classified as prospering (the Prospering Lime, Prospering Maple and Prospering Lime + Oatgrass plots) and one was in decline (the Declining Larch + Lime plot). The arboreal layer included small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), and European...
Over- and under-bark volume estimation of European larch timber produced by mechanised harvesting in Czechia
Monika Löwe, Radim Löwe, Martin Jankovský, Pavel Natov, Jiøí Dvoøák
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(7):381-390 | DOI: 10.17221/28/2024-JFS
In Czechia, harvesters contributed 43% of the total annual timber production in 2022. It is assumed that harvester technology will continue to be used intensively in the future, even though there is a change in the tree species composition of forests after the recent bark beetle outbreak and an increase in the use of close-to-nature forest management. The aim of this study was to analyse the over- and under-bark volume estimates of European larch timber produced by a harvester in Czechia. This study used the M3s price category for volume estimation. This volume was compared with the M3toDE price category. The M3toDE price category underestimated the...
Change in forest species composition and its projections into the economy of forest owners
Václav ©ebek, Václav Kupèák, Andrea Janáková Sujová
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(7):368-380 | DOI: 10.17221/21/2024-JFS
Increasing the proportion of broadleaved trees in stands during regeneration raises questions about how these trees will be reflected in the economics of forest owners and whether these owners can influence certain economic aspects during stand management. In this respect, the paper focuses mainly on the revenue side of forestry and, crucially, analyses the selling prices of assortments of tree species groups as offered in public tenders of state forests under the outsourcing business model. The price level of spruce is used as a benchmark for comparisons in the analyses. It is clear that the cultivation of species-diverse forests entails an increase...
Geographical forest zonation: Perspectives, history and use
Petr Dujka, Antonín Kusbach
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(7):335-352 | DOI: 10.17221/5/2024-JFS
The rate of climate change advancement and its predicted impact are valid reasons for intense discourse on the topic of choosing the most suitable silvicultural and adaptation measures for the longevity and sustainability of forest communities. Changes in growth conditions of plants can be expected in both vertical (altitudinal) and horizontal (geographical) directions. The anticipated occurrence rate of these changes should, according to climate models, be higher than the natural adaptability rate of longevous tree species. This study focuses on the possibility of utilising regional geographical units of the Czech Republic (Central Europe) –...
Research on an effective artificial regeneration method for selected commercially important coniferous tree species on a large sanitation cut site situated in the Javorníky Mts., Western Carpathians
Martin Belko, Anna Tuèeková, Roman Longauer, Valéria Longauerová, Vladimír Maèejovský, Ivan Horvát
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(7):353-367 | DOI: 10.17221/1/2024-JFS
In response to the decline of Central European spruce monocultures driven by various factors, the Demonstration Object of Reconstruction of Spruce Forests (DORS) was established in Husárik locality, Javorníky Mts., northwestern Slovakia. The area includes the Husárik trial site, where the applicability and efficiency of different artificial regeneration methods are studied. The trial was established on a 24-ha area cleared following the outbreak of spruce bark beetles in 2011. Its altitude is 800 m a.s.l., aspect NW, slope 30%, the soil is Ranker on the soft flysch sandstone bedrock. Our study covered 4 conifers – Norway spruce (spruce),...
Forest carbon and a regional perspective on the effectiveness of financial instruments within the forest bioeconomy
Michaela Perunová, Jarmila Zimmermannová, Tereza Schovánková
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(6):317-334 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2024-JFS
The forest bioeconomy links to a climate-neutral economy for which effective economic and financial promotion is essential to sustainable development. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of financial support on the development of the forest bioeconomy in the Czech Republic in the period 2000–2021. Research objectives were met by applying literature review, time series analysis, spatial data analysis, cartogram and cartodiagram method, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Firstly, regional divergences in financial flows were observed. Owing to the bark beetle calamity, the peak of the financial support was detected...
Integrating indigenous knowledge and culture in sustainable forest management via global environmental policies
Scholastica Akalibey, Petra Hlaváèková, Jiøí Schneider, Jitka Fialová, Samuel Darkwah, Albert Ahenkan
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(6):265-280 | DOI: 10.17221/20/2024-JFS
This research investigates the intricate connection between indigenous knowledge and sustainable forest management, with two main objectives. It seeks to explore and outline indigenous knowledge, elements, and practices that support sustainable forest management (SFM). It aims to uncover the invaluable traditional insights and practices that have helped preserve and ensure the responsible use of forest ecosystems. Also, it investigated global environmental policies that support indigenous knowledge since the inception of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). A narrative review method was employed to review and analyse peer-reviewed contents...
Environmental problems and biodiversity conservation through silviculture in Sri Lanka: Current state, struggles and cooperation with Czech foresters – A review
Channa Suraweera, Josef Gallo, Stanislav Vacek, Martin Balá¹
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(6):281-298 | DOI: 10.17221/19/2024-JFS
Sri Lanka, as a developing tropical country, faces serious environmental challenges. Forests, as important ecosystems of Sri Lanka, are under pressure from intensive human activities and climate change. Invasive species represent a great hazard to autochthonous plant species and ecosystems, which are, at the same time, hosts to extraordinarily high biodiversity, of which a high percentage is endemic. In this paper, we reviewed the most challenging environmental problems of Sri Lanka and suggested the improvement of a number of them through silvicultural measures and cooperation with international experts, namely Czech foresters. We also reviewed the...
Evaluation of the effect of different thinning types on dendrometric parameters and subsequent spontaneous growth in a beech-oak-linden stand
Kateøina Novosadová, Jiøí Kadlec, Petr Sýkora, Martin Kománek, Radek Pokorný
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(6):299-316 | DOI: 10.17221/10/2024-JFS
Due to an increasing risk of further damage to forests, forest managers are considering introducing an alternative direction for their future development – via the cultivation of mixed forests. At middle altitudes in the Czech Republic, an oak-beech-linden stand is the most natural type, and we tried to answer three main questions: (i) How the various thinning types affect dendrometric parameters and quality of the stand; (ii) How long thinning works on this stand until it loses its effect; (iii) How the stand develops spontaneously after abandonment. This experiment was conducted at the Training Forest Enterprise in the...
Overgrazing strongly impedes the natural regeneration of the endemic Boswellia species on Socotra Island
Salem Hamdiah, Klemen Eler, Kay Van Damme, Fabio Attorre, Dario La Montagna, Michele De Sanctis, Mohammed Shaneyehen, Mohammed Amar, Theodore Danso Marfo, Petr Madìra
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(5):249-263 | DOI: 10.17221/3/2024-JFS
Frankincense trees (Boswellia spp.) worldwide are affected by a number of threats, including global warming and changing land management practices. On the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen), which harbours eleven endemic Boswellia species, grazing is generally assumed to be one of the main threats preventing natural regeneration. To test the impact of overgrazing on natural regeneration, we established an in situ experiment on four different Boswellia taxa in different areas of Socotra Island. Mortality and the height increment of seedlings were measured for a period of two/three years in five plots excluded from grazing (fenced)...
Innovations in the methodological approach to quantifying and evaluating the supported effects of forests for recreational and educational ecosystem services
Zdenìk Odvárka, Jitka Meòházová
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(5):235-248 | DOI: 10.17221/13/2024-JFS
The paper deals with a new method of innovative assessment of the supported effects and ecosystem services of forests using the actual amount of their increased costs. Among the most important research findings and significance of the new method is that it contributes to the body of knowledge on valuation and payment for ecosystem services. The focus of the research task is to help address the current difficult economic situation of forest owners resulting from the impacts of climate change. The study aims to determine what work quantifies the amount of compensation for the provision of supported ecosystem services that is sufficient for owners by...
Tree resources decline in Saudi Arabia: Climate change or pest attack causes?
Naimah Alanazi
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(5):223-234 | DOI: 10.17221/9/2024-JFS
In Saudi Arabia, tree mortality has abnormally increased over the past ten years, exceeding regulatory standards without clear interpretation. The present study aimed to investigate three attacked tree populations in different biogeographic regions of Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, climatic data from the last thirty years, forest densities, soil cover, pest search, and insect damage to trees have been reported. The results of this study show a distinct climate change manifested by an increase of 2 °C in temperature accompanied by a decrease in precipitation and the extension of drought periods during the last 30 years. Analysis of satellite...
Sensitivity analysis and performance evaluation of neural networks for predicting forest stand volume – A case study: District 2, Kacha, Guilan province, Iran
Sima Lotfi Asl, Iraj Hassanzad Navroodi, Aman Mohammad Kalteh
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(5):209-222 | DOI: 10.17221/111/2023-JFS
Tree volume is a characteristic used in many cases, such as determining fertility, habitat quality, growth size, allowable harvesting, and the principles of forest trade. It is imperative to develop methods that predict forest stand volume to obtain this extensive information quickly and cost-effectively. This study used supervised self-organising map (SSOM), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks to predict forest stand volume based on physiography, topography, soil, and human factors. A sensitivity analysis method called the importance of prediction was used to determine how input variables influenced network...
Effects of slope and tree position on soil properties in a temperate deciduous forest
Gabriela Tomá¹ová, Tomá¹ Vichta, Nikola ®i¾lavská, Jan Deutscher, Ondøej Hemr, Martina Brychtová, Lenka Pavlù, Ale¹ Bajer
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(4):185-201 | DOI: 10.17221/117/2023-JFS
This paper examines changes in soil physical and chemical properties in relation to tree proximity on different slopes. Topsoil and subsoil were sampled at 12 research plots on four slope types, the soil pits being placed at the base of a tree (near tree, NT) and between the test tree and an adjacent tree (between trees, BT). We observed a significant decrease in vertical topsoil response to slope on lower, middle and upper slopes, and a decrease in fine roots (R < 2 mm) on flat ground. Overall, middle and lower slopes showed the highest similarity, and upper slopes and flat ground the least, with the greatest subsoil...
Light response curve analysis of juvenile black locust clones: A case study from eastern Hungary
Tamás Ábri, Dániel Gaganetz, József Csajbók
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(4):202-207 | DOI: 10.17221/120/2023-JFS
Assimilation (A) and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency value light response curves [A/PPFD and PSII/PPFD curves (PPFD – photosynthetic photon flux density)] of promising black locust clones (NK2 and PL251) and the registered Üllõi clone were analysed to study the net assimilation rates and PSII efficiency within the function of PPFD levels. The natural logarithmic regression functions fitted well to the measured data points for A/PPFD, R2 values varied between 0.9515–0.9884. For PSII/PPFD values, we used the exponential regression...
Old Juniper Troll stand – The oldest shrub population from Scandinavia
Jiøí Lehejèek, Matìj Roman, Martin Lexa, Paul Eric Aspholm, Jiøí Ma¹ek
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(4):176-184 | DOI: 10.17221/118/2023-JFS
Old plant communities are of utmost importance for nature conservation, carbon sequestration, as well as gene pool maintenance. Shrub populations occurring in extreme environments beyond abiotic tree-lines provide diverse ecosystem services and have potential as proxy archives because they often inhabit areas with scarce and short instrumental records. We provide dendrochronological insight into one such population made up of prostrate Juniperus communis shrubs in the northern Scandinavian tundra (Norway), growing on a competition-free boulder field. We dated and provided a growth chronology of the oldest living shrub population (190 ±...
Nutrient content in biomass of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in different habitats of protected areas of Inner Western Carpathians
Martin Kubov, Rastislav Janík, Jakub Tomes, Branislav Schieber
J. For. Sci., 2024, 70(4):161-175 | DOI: 10.17221/110/2023-JFS
The primary objective of this paper was to compare the nutrient content (N, Ca, S, K, P, Mg) of bilberry biomass, both aboveground and underground, growing in different habitats along the altitudinal gradient. The research was conducted in protected areas of the High Tatras National Park (Slovakia). Two different habitats subjected to study, namely spruce forest stands affected by disturbances (D – disturbed forest stands) and stands unaffected by disturbances (U – undisturbed forest stands), were located at different altitudes: 1 100 m a.s.l., 1 250 m a.s.l., and 1 400 m a.s.l. We found significant differences...