This study investigates the impact of drying-rewetting and freezing-rewetting events on soil leachate ion composition across two contrasting geochemical settings through a series of controlled laboratory experiments. Dissolution of ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+, Mn2+, F-, Cl-, NO2 -, SO4 2-, NO3 -, PO4 3-) in soil leachate was analysed following rewetting cycles after drying and freezing treatments. The results indicate that variations in leachate ion concentrations are primarily influenced by bedrock type, while drying-rewetting and freezing-rewetting treatments did not significantly impact overall variance. However, some inconsistent differences were observed: higher K+ concentrations in calcareous soils and Al3+, Fe3+ and Mn2+ in acidic soils after drying, higher anion concentrations in calcareous soils in both treatment leachates compared to controls. The findings highlight that the effects of drying, freezing, and rewetting are inherently linked to treatment type, ion characteristics and geochemical conditions.

The city of Sarajevo maintains a centuries old heritage of providing free drinking water for its inhabitants and visitors through the means of building public drinking fountains. The aim of this research is to emphasize the sustainable potentials this tradition represents for the present and future, and to evaluate the existing public drinking fountains network. The main methodology this research leans on is case study analysis, while other methodologies such as interviews, surveys, field visits, observations, and architectural composition analysis are infused within the case study analysis to achieve a coherent methodological approach to the research topic. After the analysis was conducted the results showed that were derived through the collected and analysed date were that the local authorities should invest more efforts in promoting the high quality of tap water and preservation of existing public drinking fountains, that the existing drinking fountains should be regularly maintained, that the drinking fountains which represent important fragments of cultural heritage in Sarajevo should be maintained in a much more careful and systematic way and that they should be given special care, that all the public drinking fountains should be mapped out in an open access online platform, and that new drinking fountains should be placed according to actual needs of the community, but also for the purpose of branding Sarajevo as a tourist destination. The conclusions these results imposed included that an online survey needed to be conducted in regards as to where the experts and residents of Sarajevo believe new drinking fountains to be necessary and that this data in combination with the location of existing drinking fountains could inform the best new locations.

The main objectives of this study were to 1) assess the following quantitative urban green space (UGS) indicators: share of UGS, total UGS per capita, and the public UGS per capita for Sarajevo and its corresponding municipalities; 2) propose the minimum area of UGS per capita and the minimum functional UGS area per capita; and 3) discuss the methodological approach used and its applicability and relevance for UGS quantity and quality assessment. UGSs were photo-interpreted based on orthophotos and Google Satellite images and mapped manually. The total UGS area for Sarajevo is 58.5 km2, with continuous green spaces present in hilly and mountainous areas of the city, whereas more built-up zones are present in flat areas. The total public UGS per capita is 28.0 m2, or 9.8 m2 if forest parks are excluded. The results can help in better understanding UGSs in Sarajevo and can serve as a reference for decisionmakers and policymakers.

Procesi klimatskih promjena stimulisali su brojna istraživanja usmjerena na potencijal tla da djeluje kao skladište ugljika. Dok su zalihe organskog ugljika u tlu (Corg) u vezi s tipom tla, topografijom i vrstama drveća opsežno dokumentovani drugdje, primjećuje se značajan nedostatak podataka o tlima u šumama dinarskih kraških planina. Dinarska regija se karakteriše prisustvom mješovitih raznodobnih šuma bukve i jele (sa smrčom) kojima se upravlja prebornim sistemom, smatranim održivim i pogodnim za očuvanje zaliha Corg tla. U ovom istraživanju, provedenom na četiri uporedive lokacije kraških planinskih šuma (Bjelašnica, Bosna i Hercegovina; Kočevski Rog, Snežnik i Trnovski gozd, Slovenija) istraživano je kako zaliha Corg i odnos C/N variraju u odnosu na uslove staništa, vegetacije i reljefne pozicije. Glavni rezultati obuhvataju podatke o zalihama Corg, procijenjene na temelju izmjerenih koncentracija Corg, izračunatih gustina, grubih fragmenata i efektivnih dubina organskog (Ol, Of, Oh) i mineralnog tla do 60 cm dubine. Istraživanje je otkrilo značajno variranje vrijednosti Corg i C/N u odnosu na stanište i vegetaciju, naročito u organskim horizontima i površinskom mineralnom sloju. Osim toga, istraživanje je pružilo uvid u stabilnost organske materije na temelju odnosa C/N u tlu. Rezultati daju vrijedne informacije o dinamici Corg u tlima dinarskih kraških planina, značaju očuvanja sitnog organskog otpada u šumi i bitne su za održive prakse upravljanja šumama u smislu ublažavanja uticaja klimatskih promjena.

Razvoj agrošumarstva je u većini zemalja usporen zbog ograničene definicije ovog pojma koji se treba shvatiti kao sistem različitih praksi. Široko korištenje agrošumarstva može odigrati značajnu ulogu u prelasku na održive okolinske prakse u dugoročnom periodu. U Evropskoj uniji agrošumarstvo se prepoznaje kao važan poljoprivredni sistem, s tim da je još ostao nedovoljno razvijen zbog neriješenog statusa podsticaja. Ipak, kako Evropska federacija agrošumarstva (engl. European Agroforestry Federation – EURAF) ističe, u EU se nalazi oko 20 miliona hektara agrošumarskih zemljišta, a gotovo 90% čine šumsko-pašnjački sistemi. Istraživanja iz 2017. godine pokazuju kako ih je tada u EU bilo oko 15,4 miliona hektara i trend razvoja agrošumarstva, prema podacima iz 2020. godine, nastavio se. Sistem agrošumarstva projiciran je i istražen na području sliva rijeke Vrbas, i to u njegovom gornjem (Bugojno) i donjem (Srbac) slivnom području, a u okviru projekta UNDP. U ovom radu akcenat se daje na ulogu agrošumarstva u zaštiti od poplava, ali i općenito njegov značaj u procesu adaptacije na klimatske promjene. U gornjem i srednjem slivu preporučuje se silvopastoralni uzgoj, a na proširenim dolinama alejni uzgoj i zaštita od erozije na izohipsama. U donjem slivnom području vrlo su važni zaštitni priobalni pojasevi sa stanovišta erozije obale i buferne sposobnosti vegetacije u smislu prečišćavanja voda, na koje se nastavlja alejni uzgoj, zatim rekreaciona zona, tehnička šuma ili kombinacija šumsko-poljoprivrednih kultura (diversifikacija). Ove pristupe treba razvijati isključivo na lokalnom nivou sa farmerima.

Glavni cilji raziskave so bili: 1. analizirati naslednje kvantitativne kazalnike mestnih zelenih površin: njihov delež, njihovo skupno površino na prebivalca in skupno površino javnih mestnih zelenih površin na prebivalca na območju Sarajeva in njegovih občin; 2. predlagati najmanjši površini mestnih zelenih površin in funkcionalnih mestnih zelenih površin na prebivalca ter 3. predstaviti uporabljeni metodološki pristop k analizi količine in kakovosti mestnih zelenih površin ter njegovo uporabnost in pomen. Te površine so bile analizirane na podlagi ortofoto posnetkov in posnetkov orodja Google Satellite ter nato ročno kartirane. Skupna površina Sarajeva znaša 58,5 km², pri čemer so sklenjene zelene površine značilne za hribovite in gorate predele mesta, več pozidanih območij pa je v ravninskih topografskih enotah. Skupna površina javnih mestnih zelenih površin na prebivalca je 28,0 m² oziroma 9,8 m², če gozdni parki niso upoštevani. Rezultati raziskave lahko prispevajo k boljšemu razumevanju mestnih zelenih površin v Sarajevu in so lahko uporabni za odločevalce in oblikovalce politik.

The sustainable forest management concept contains the essence of the sustainable development paradigm - meeting the current needs of society without compromising the needs of future generations. The strategic commitment of the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo is aimed at quality education of forestry experts, conducting innovative research and the most intensive cooperation with the economy. The methodological approach in this paper is based on a critical analysis of the scope of the educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, and the potentials of sustainable forest management in BiH, to determine to what extent higher education and research on environmental, sociological and economic aspects of forest management can affect positive changes in BiH society. Apart from identifying the benefits of forest ecosystems in the context of contributing to sustainable development, the research on the attitudes of teaching staff related to the contribution of the educational-research process to general goals of sustainable development from the 2030 Agenda was conducted. The results of this paper show that the concept of sustainable forest management, as it is realized in educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, has significant potential to contribute to sustainable development in BiH. This contribution is reflected in biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change, carbon storage, prevention of natural disasters, impact on the stability of water and soil, energy supply from renewable sources, continuous economic growth, socially responsible production and consumption, job security, development of rural and urban areas as well as maintaining and improving the psychophysical health of the population. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that sustainable forest management, grounded on scientific postulates, understanding of diversity of forest ecosystem services and dynamics in society's requirements towards forests, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation, can be an important factor of sustainable development in BiH.

The main objectives of this research were to (i) investigate the concentration; (ii) characterize the distribution; (iii) determine the sources apportionment; (iv) estimate environmental and health risks of heavy metals in soil from mountain beech forest. A total of 76 soil samples from 20 pure beech forest stands from Bosnia and Her-zegovina (BA), Bulgaria (BG), Check Republic (CZ), Germany (DE), Italy (IT), Poland (PL), Romania (RO), Serbia (RS), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SL), and Spain (ES) were collected. The content of major elements was measured by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The content of heavy metals was measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP/OES). Heavy metals had a specific concentration range, which fol-lowed in soil samples from depth 0-40 cm the common order (low to high): Hg < Cd < As < Co < Pb < Ni < Cu < Cr < Zn, and from depth 40-80 cm: Hg < Cd < As < Pb < Co < Ni < Cu < Cr < Zn. The grouping of the examined parameters according to rock types, soil types, and localities indicated the separation of carbonate rocks from other substrates, luvisol, and rendzina from other soil types, and samples from BA, SL, and IT from other localities. According to sources apportionment As, Pb and Zn are of anthropogenic origin, Cd, Co, Cr, and Ni are of geogenic origin, while the middle position of Cu and Hg indicates a combined contribution of both sources. Elements Cd and Hg indicated severe to extremely severe enrichment with a mean value of 24.3 and 70.6, respectively. Based on the determined values Ni, Cr, As and Cd do not pose a health risk.

Fagus sylvatica L. is widely distributed across Europe thanks to its high adaptability in a wide variety of soils and climate. Microbial communities are essential for maintaining forest soil quality and are responsible for forest ecosystem functioning; the ability of soil microorganisms to respond to abiotic stressors (e.g., organic carbon losses, water scarcity, temperature changes) is crucial under ongoing environmental changes and also supports tree health. In this study, soil samples were collected from pure beech plots as part of the COST Action project CLIMO to find differences in microbial community characteristics and evaluate the effects of soil properties on microbial communities across gradients of elevation, latitude, and longitude. Positive relationships were found between organic carbon content and both microbial abundance and dehydrogenase activity. Dehydrogenase and catalase activities were elevation-correlated and microbial activities were longitude-correlated. In the most southern beech plot, the microbial community was abundant and displayed high activities. This shows that microbial communities could help tree populations to better adapt to predicted changes in environmental conditions in the future. We suggest that research into forest health and beech performance should also test soil microbial enzymatic activity, particularly under changing climate conditions, to assist in identifying adaptation strategies.

Kampus Sveučilišta Jurja Dobrile u Puli karakteriziraju istaknute arhitektonske vrijednosti i vrijednosti otvorenog prostora. Otvoreni prostori čine više od 50% površine kampusa i uvelike određuju njegovu estetiku. Kartiranje dendroflore i kategorizacija zelenih površina kampusa provedeno je s ciljem pružanja temeljnih znanja za učinkovitije i isplativije upravljanje zelenim površinama kampusa. Poticanje zelenih otvorenih površina napravili su studenti Pejzažne arhitekture na Univerzitetu u Sarajevu – Šumarski fakultet tokom međunarodne studentske radionice CAMPULA u listopadu 2019. Studija je rezultirala jasnim informacijama o funkcionalnim svojstvima zelenih elemenata u Kampusu. Na području kampusa kartirana je ukupno 301 jedinka (203 zimzelena stabla, 80 listopadnih stabala, 9 zimzelenih grmova, 6 listopadnih grmova i 3 zimzelene palme) . Ukupno su kartirana 32 taksona (20 zimzelenih i 12 listopadnih). Poboljšano upravljanje zelenim otvorenim prostorom pulskog kampusa može rezultirati iznimno vrijednim ekološkim, društvenim i estetskim akademskim zelenim prostorom.

The present study addresses the short-term effects of different harvest intensities under close-to-nature selective management on the upper soil layers in Slovenian and Bosnian Dinaric karst fir-beech forests. The different harvest intensities coincided with the single-tree and irregular shelterwood management, common in the region. The effect of harvesting intensity on the upper soil layers (Ol, Of, Ol and 0–10 cm mineral soil) was investigated by a repeated measurements experiment in Slovenia on 27 research plots in close-to nature managed forests. The properties of the upper layers (concentration of SOC and TN, C/N ratio, weights, BD and SOC stocks) were analyzed twice, before (2011) and after (2014) treatment of 50% and 100% harvest intensity in relation to the total standing growing stock of trees. As a control, we used no-treatment <20% harvesting intensity plots. To extend this experiment, we added three comparable plots from the Bosnian site: one in an old-growth forest with 0% harvest intensity and two in the managed forest with <20% harvest intensity. The results of the assessment of mean differences indicated a significant influence of harvesting intensity on the decrease in SOC, TN concentrations, weights and SOC stocks in the organic layers and the increase in BD and SOC stocks in the 0–10 cm mineral soil. The highest relative decreases in Ol, Of and Oh SOC stocks occurred in 50% (−10 and −38%) and 100% (−16 and −49%) harvest intensities. Negligible relative differences in both organic and 0–10 cm mineral layers were found for the <20% harvest intensity in the region. The change in forest light conditions resulting from differences in canopy openness as a function of applied harvest intensity explained the significant difference in the properties of the upper soil layers. The impact of the short-term losses in SOC stocks, in terms of overall soil productivity, may depend on the regeneration dynamics and melioration methods.

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009–2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action “Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society” funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.

Vertical ectomycorrhizal (ECM) community composition was assessed on silver fir ( Abies alba Mill.) in beech-silver fir forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Organic and upper mineral horizons were described by pedological analyses. Silver fir root tips were divided into vital ECM, old and non-mycorrhizal for each horizon separately. Morpho-anatomical classification of vital ECM root tips with an assessment of abundance was followed by ITS-based molecular characterization and classification into exploration types. The percentage of vital ECM root tips was not affected by the soil horizon. Altogether, 40 ECM taxa were recorded. Several taxa have not previously been reported for silver fir: Hebeloma laterinum , Inocybe fuscidula , I. glabripes , Lactarius acris , L. albocarneus , L. blennius , L. fluens , Ramaria bataillei , Russula badia , R. lutea , R. mairei , Sistotrema sp., Tarzetta catinus, Tomentella atroarenicolor , T. badia , T. cinerascens , T. bryophylla , and T. ramosissima , indicating high potential for diversity of ECM fungi in silver fir stands. No significant differences in community composition and species richness and diversity were detected between mineral and organic horizons. Community composition was affected by CaCO 3 , organic carbon concentration, organic carbon stock, total nitrogen stock, C/N ratio and soil bulk density. No significant effects of soil parameters were detected for exploration types. The contact exploration type was dominant in both soil horizons. Significantly different relative abundances of dominant taxa Tomentella stuposa , Cenococcum geophilum and Piloderma sp. 1 were detected in the two horizons. Twelve taxa were limited to the organic horizon and eight to the mineral horizon.

UDK 581.19:547.56]:582.736.3The aim of this study was to determine the total concentrations of some phenolic compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanol extracts of different parts of Illyrian endemic Petteria ramentacea. Concentrations of phenolic compounds were determined with UV/VIS spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity of plant extracts was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated by measuring the inhibition's zone against six selected test bacteria and two fungi. The highest average total phenols concentrations were in seeds (10.78 mg GAE g-1 DW), root (10.51 mg GAE g-1 DW) and bark (10.40 mg GAE g-1 DW), and the lowest in inflorescences (2.99 mg GAE g-1 DW) and leaves (3.12 mg GAE g g-1 DW). The total flavonoids concentrations were determined only in leaves (8.25 mg CE g-1 DW) and in stem (5.66 mg CE g-1 DW). Both flavanols and proanthocyanidins (0.75 mg CE g-1 DW and 3.49 mg CE g-1 DW, respectively) were found only in leaves. Analysis of variance indicated presence of significant differences between total phenols and flavanols concentrations (p<0.05), and Duncan's test confirmed the presence of intraspecies variability according to their concentrations. The highest antioxidant activity (IC50) was observed for the seed's extract (6.86%) and the lowest for the bark’s (51.31%). All methanol extracts showed the most pronounced antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermididis, and the lowest against S. aureus subsp. aureus. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans was moderate. Since Peteria ramentacea methanol extracts are potential natural antioxidant and antimicrobial preparations against selected microorganisms, it is necessary to continue with more detailed analysis.

The amount of the ash and cinder that is generated from thermoelectric energy production in Bosnia and Herzegovina exceeded 2.784 Mg for 2015 according to annual report of “Elektroprivreda BiH”. Electricity production is the greatest environmental ballast for the city of Tuzla. Excavation of coal and deposition of coal combustion products influence drastic and many times terminate degradation of natural landscapes and soil habitat. There are five coal ash disposal sites in the city covering an area of approximately 170 hectares. It is known that this artificial substrate is the main cause of soil contamination; water/groundwater contamination due to leaching toxins (effluents and process waters); dust dispersion; and toxins entering the food chain. The objective of our research study was to explore the adequate practices of stand remediation through compiling the data on properties of ash from five disposal sites in Tuzla area. Long term study determined that the major characteristics of coal ash and effluents at the disposals sites are high alkaline reaction (pH >10) and presence of metals with high potential for toxicity (Ni, Cr, As and B), which concentrations exceeded permitted limits. Based on study results, how model of site rehabilitation would work and how it can be incorporated by applying green infrastructure approach in spatial planning is discussed.

UDK 630*114:630*242(497.6) Large areas of European fir-beech forests are characteristic for the Dinaric Mountains and represent one of the most important forest ecosystems in the region. Such forests extend in high karst plateaus from the eastern Alps in SE Slovenia to the N Albanian massifs at the altitudes from 700 to 1200 (1500) m a.s.l. This is the area with a diverse landscape configuration. The bedrock is consisted of limestone, occasionally of dolomite limestone and dolomite. There are various soil conditions, where in a small area, a mosaic of Leptosols, Rendzic Leptosols, Chromic Cambisol, Calcaric and Chromic Luvisols occur. As climate conditions are very favourable for the growth of forests (high precipitation and air humidity), production function of wood is much more emphasized. Very little is known about the long-term effects of forest management and intensity of logging on soil organic matter quality and carbon stocks in these forest soils. Therefore, with an objective to understand better variations in soil properties, both in space and time, aiming to minimize the uncertainties of the SOC (soil organic carbon) and TN (total nitrogen) stocks, we have set up a research objects in silver fir-beech forests, in Slovenia (research plots in Kočevje, Snežnik and Trnovo) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (research plots on MT Bjelašnica). We analysed soil properties of the unmanaged and managed sites studying differences between treatments and also changes for the two years period of observations. Preliminary results from Slovenian sites show that the high intensity of logging (50 and 100% cut of growing stock) causes a decrease in SOC and TN contents, wider C/N ratio and higher pH values, with the largest level of alternations in the organic part of the soils. The study in Bosnia gave information on inherent SOC and TN concentrations in the organic and surface mineral soil, and also indicated no differences in soil properties between unmanaged and managed sites characterized by low (14-18%) intensities of logging.