Damir Barčić

The authors investigate the structural characteristics, regeneration processes, growth, development, and survival of a young generation of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) based on three periodic measurements (1998, 2009, and 2018). The studied forest community (Lamio orvale-Fagetum sylvaticae (Ht. 1938) Bohridi 1963) is situated within a forest reserve in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Monitoring was carried out according to UN/ECE (2000) for systematic and repeated research. The basic structural indicators, structural canopy elements, and appearance of the young generation were measured as the basic conditions of natural restoration in repeated phytocenological surveys (1980, 1988, 2004). The distribution of the number of trees of the first two measurements (1998–2009) indicates a distribution with pronounced right asymmetry. The structural dynamics observed during the surveys and alongside vegetation surveys indicate the dynamics of the growth and development of beech. The results show that the main drivers of development dynamics in protected forest ecosystems are structural breaks (gaps) that occur in stands due to the action of abiotic and biotic factors. The passive management model in effect in the national park should be replaced with a more active approach to facilitate natural processes with the aim of preserving and renewing the forest ecosystem.

Pinija (Pinus pinea L.) je autohtona mediteranska drvenasta vrsta koja je raširena na cijelom Sredozemlju. Pinija je termofilna biljna vrsta koja je dobro prilagođena sušnim uvjetima uzgoja te ima dosta široku valenciju u pogledu zemljišta za uzgoj....

U radu je analizirana uloga ekoturizma na području Plitvičkih dolina, točnije važnost ekoturizma u Općini Rakovica koja je dio širega turističkoga konteksta Nacionalnoga parka. Plitvičke doline šire su područje koje gravitira obližnjemu Nacionalnomu parku Plitvička jezera. Opisan je povijesni razvoj turizma ove regije, definirani su oblici turizma, a naglasak je stavljen na izuzetno važan oblik turizma, na ekoturizam. Ta vrsta turizma na prvo mjesto stavlja očuvanje prirode i okoliša te je glavni pokretač turizma te regije. Sustavnim razvojem ponude usluga, atrakcija i aktivnosti cijelo se područje oko Nacionalnoga parka pretvorilo u jednu od privlačnijih turističkih destinacija u Hrvatskoj pod imenom Plitvičke doline. Kako bi se analizirala ponuda i potražnja toga turističkoga tržišta te zadovoljstvo turista, kreiran je i proveden anketni upitnik među posjetiteljima (vrijeme skupljanja: ljeto 2023, broj ispitanika: 60). Rezultati uključuju analizu frekvencije posjeta te njihovu sezonalnost, ocjenu kvalitete prirodnih resursa, analizu utjecaja ljepote okoliša na zadovoljstvo posjetitelja, stavove posjetitelja o cijeni ulaznica i opću ocjenu nakon posjeta. Zaključak je da treba poraditi na ponudi i kvaliteti sadržaja izvan sezone kako bi se turizam tijekom ljeta rasporedio i na ostala godišnja doba barem donekle.

SEEFOR - South-East European Forestry

This study outlines research performed on experimental plots established in forest plantations and in natural black pine forests. The objective of the study was to determine the habitat factors that have the greatest impact on the growth and development of natural black pine forests and black pine forests plantations upon the return of climatozonal vegetation. Plots 625 m² in size were selected and vegetation inventories made, and the structural elements of black pine plantations examined. Multivariate analysis found that elevation and slope were the two variables that had the highest positive correlation with the floristic composition of the vegetation. Furthermore, one of the goals was to determine the differences with regard to reforestation with black pine. The analysis of the isolated experimental plots showed a clear grouping of plots according to habitat factors. The differences in the synecological factors in the research area resulted in the presence of sub-Mediterranean, epi-Mediterranean and eu-Mediterranean elements within the black pine forest plantations. This also reduces the risk of the occurrence and development of large wildfires.

Climatic conditions are extremely important for the start and spread of forest fires. Flammability and the spread of fire are sensitive to the interactions of variables within ecosystems, such as weather, fuel, and topography. Certain variables are highly significant for forest fires and are applied in various models, particularly the moisture content of potential fuel, and its flammability or combustibility. However, such these models cannot determine the true values of the required variables, unlike actual empirical research. Areas with the highest number of fires show significant variability and differences in air temperature, humidity, and precipitation. These factors have a strong influence on flammability, combustibility, and moisture content of Mediterranean species. This study analyses the flammability and combustibility of two Mediterranean species important for the Adriatic area in Croatia: climazonal holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) as an important conifer for afforestation and reforestation. The results of linear correlation coefficients of flammability of these species at the studied localities show a statistically significant and very strong correlation between flammability and the moisture content of the tested sample, with the exception of Aleppo pine on the island of Rab. The analysis of variance of combustibility showed that there were no statistically significant differences between nearly all variables tested. The results indicate the significant effect of live fuel moisture content on the flammability and combustibility of natural fuels.

After a forest fire, relevant damages are evident in the ecological, but also in the economic sense

Climatic conditions are extremely important for both the ignition and spread of forest fires. Flammability and fire spread vary depending on the interactions with environmental factors, such as weather, fuels, and topography. Among the fuel variables that affect forest fires, the fuel moisture content, flammability, and combustibility can widely vary between diverse fuel types. The areas with the highest number of fires show significant variability and differences in air temperature, humidity, and precipitation. These factors have a great influence on the flammability, burning duration, and fuel moisture content of several Mediterranean species. This paper investigates and analyzes the flammability and combustibility characteristics of two Mediterranean species that are important for the Adriatic area in Croatia: the climazonal Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.). The latter is an important conifer used for afforestation and reforestation. The results of linear correlation coefficients of flammability delay of these species showed a statistically significant and very strong correlation between the flammability delay and moisture content of the tested samples. Analysis of variance in burning duration showed a statistically significant difference between almost all used variables. The results indicate a significant role of the live fuel moisture content (LFMC) in the flammability delay (DI) and burning time (DC) of natural fuels.

Vjetrozaštitni pojasi uspostavljaju se kao barijere od redova stabala ili grmlja koje se sade s namjenom reduciranja brzine vjetra, smanjenja evapotranspiracije, zaštite od eolske erozije, istovremeno izravno se koriste za zaštitu...