Journal of Forest Science, 2025 (vol. 71), issue 12
The new EU Timber Regulation 2023/1115 and its legal implications for the Czech forestry and timber sectorReview
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,...
Effect of pine afforestation on soil physicochemical properties compared to pasture land: A case study in KosovoOriginal Paper
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)....
Leaf area index and soil water content responses to pre-commercial thinning in Norway spruce plantations under climate changeOriginal Paper
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...
Variation in wood density between mature sessile oak and English oak trees growing in different vegetation zonesOriginal Paper
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...