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    Marina Nonic

    In this study, we used leaf geometric morphometrics to quantify the differences among Quercus cerris L. and Quercus frainetto Ten. and their populations in the Sumadija region in Serbia. We sampled 2200 leaves from eight populations and... more
    In this study, we used leaf geometric morphometrics to quantify the differences among Quercus cerris L. and Quercus frainetto Ten. and their populations in the Sumadija region in Serbia. We sampled 2200 leaves from eight populations and on each leaf recorded 13 landmarks. To analyze how leaf morphology varies across species and populations, we used Procrustes ANOVA, a two-block partial least-squares analysis, a principal component analysis and a canonical variate analysis. The results showed a clear discrimination between species, followed by different levels of leaf shape variability in Q. cerris and Q. frainetto. The leaves of Q. cerris displayed higher levels of variability and higher differences among populations compared to Q. frainetto. The patterns of population grouping in the two species greatly differed, indicating that in these species different factors contribute to intraspecific variability. This study provides preliminary results of the leaf morphometric variability of...
    This research aimed to determine the variability of the part of the sessile oak gene pool from the area of the Natural Monument ?Kosutnjak Forest? at the level of one- and two-year-old seedlings, in the progeny test established in the... more
    This research aimed to determine the variability of the part of the sessile oak gene pool from the area of the Natural Monument ?Kosutnjak Forest? at the level of one- and two-year-old seedlings, in the progeny test established in the nursery of the Faculty of Forestry. The research was conducted with one-year-old and two-year-old seedlings of 10 half-sib lines of the sessile oak. The heights and root collar diameters were measured, and the survival of the seedlings at the end of the second growth period, as well as the annual height and diameter growth, were determined. The results of descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance and Fisher?s least significant differences test, as well as multivariate analyzes - cluster and analysis of the main components were also presented in the research. The obtained results indicate a satisfactory level of genetic variability, which represents a good starting point for the realization of ex situ conservation of part of the gene pool, by...
    This paper presents the process of drafting the country report on the state of forest genetic resources of the Republic of Serbia. The report was drawn up for the needs of the Second Assessment on the State of the World?s Forest Genetic... more
    This paper presents the process of drafting the country report on the state of forest genetic resources of the Republic of Serbia. The report was drawn up for the needs of the Second Assessment on the State of the World?s Forest Genetic Resources of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO).The paper presents an overview of the objectives, methodology, sustainability of results, and contribution of the country report to the forest and nature protection sector, as well as the integration of national policies into international initiatives for the conservation of forest genetic resources. The country report contains 32 recommended activities as future steps to improve the situation in the field of conservation of forest genetic resources and meet the needs for capacity building and further research. The recommended activities are grouped into opportunities. Each opportunity is defined as a response to the challenges of all aspects of the conservation of fore...
    Leaf morphology is at a certain level defined by the ways in which plants adapt to different habitats, especially in large trees. In this study, morphological variations in leaf size and shape of the Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.)... more
    Leaf morphology is at a certain level defined by the ways in which plants adapt to different habitats, especially in large trees. In this study, morphological variations in leaf size and shape of the Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.) growing on different soil types (lithic leptosol, vertisol, cambisol) were investigated in the central part of Serbia (Sumadija). The information on soil type was obtained using a digitalized soil map of the Republic of Serbia, while leaf traits were characterized by geometric morphometric methods. Landmark analysis and leaf measurements showed significant differences among the analyzed groups, with individuals growing on nutrient-poor, shallow soils having smaller leaves with greater lobation. The observed differences suggest that the levels of soil productivity influence variations in leaf patterns. More studies on a larger sample size and along a broader spatial scale are needed to fully understand the differences in the patterns of leaf morphol...
    The European White Elm (Ulmus effusa Willd.) is a species that belongs to the group of noble broadleaves, characterized by exceptional features and wood quality. In the forests of Serbia, the European White Elm belongs to the category of... more
    The European White Elm (Ulmus effusa Willd.) is a species that belongs to the group of noble broadleaves, characterized by exceptional features and wood quality. In the forests of Serbia, the European White Elm belongs to the category of rare and endangered species according to the IUCN categorization. The disappearance of wetland habitats is the primary threat to the survival of White Elm populations and to the genetic diversity of this species. Draining of wetland habitats for the needs of agriculture or cultivation of poplars leads to dramatic changes in ecosystems where the White Elm grows. As a result, fragmentation of White Elm populations into smaller populations, groups of trees and individual trees occurred, which will ultimately lead to genetic drift problems, and therefore, to the ecological instability of this species. The population of European White Elms in the territory of the Great War Island includes more than fifty trees which occur in three spatially isolated subp...
    Research Interests:
    The aim of this paper is a review of the most important international initiatives and adopted documents relating to the conservation of forest genetic resources and establishing of the necessity degree for their revision and starting of... more
    The aim of this paper is a review of the most important international initiatives and adopted documents relating to the conservation of forest genetic resources and establishing of the necessity degree for their revision and starting of new processes at the national level, in the aim of better integrating the conservation of genetic resources in the formal management of forest ecosystems. The identification of the concepts and issues of forest genetic resources conservation in the strategic documents intended to indicate the desired directions of development in the field of sustainable forest management, points to the intentions and desires of the society to prevent the adverse effects, but also to the lack of commitment to this category of natural resources and capital. Key words: forest genetic resources, international initiatives, legislation
    ABSTRACT http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-3-319-09380-2?otherVersion=978-3-319-09380-2 This book provides complete, comprehensive and broad subject based reviews complete in it-self, useful for students, teachers,... more
    ABSTRACT http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-3-319-09380-2?otherVersion=978-3-319-09380-2 This book provides complete, comprehensive and broad subject based reviews complete in it-self, useful for students, teachers, researchers and all others interested in the biodiversity conservation. The field of biotechnology has been kept broad to accommodate the wide ranging topics. How biotechnology can affect and solve the problems related to biodiversity management, protection and conservation are described.
    T he paper describes t he conservation status of white poplar (Populus alba L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the territory of Great War Island. The activities of in situ and ex situ gene pool conservation have been defined in... more
    T he paper describes t he conservation status of white poplar (Populus alba L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the territory of Great War Island. The activities of in situ and ex situ gene pool conservation have been defined in order to preserve and expand the populations of the above species, as carriers of complex wetland forest ecosystems.
    The taxonomic status of beech from the Balkan Peninsula is not yet clearly defined. There is no agreement among different authors about the morphological characteristics discriminating between the Balkan and European and/or Eastern beech.... more
    The taxonomic status of beech from the Balkan Peninsula is not yet clearly defined. There is no agreement among different authors about the morphological characteristics discriminating between the Balkan and European and/or Eastern beech. For most characteristics, the mean values are different but the ranges of variation overlap considerably. Provenance trial of beech established in Serbia, at the locality Debeli Lug, has provided an opportunity for research of interprovenance variability at the level of leaf morphometric characteristics in juvenile development stage. Research included 10 provenances originating from the Western Balkans (Serbian provenance 36 and 38; Croatian provenance 24 and 25; Bosnian provenance 30 and 32) and from Central Europe (German provenance 47 and 49; Austrian provenance 56 and Hungarian provenance 42), where following morphometric characteristics were analyzed: leaf length (Ll), leaf width (Lw), petiole lenght (Pl), leaf base width on 1 cm (Blw), number...
    Forest genetic resources represent the genetic diversity contained in thousands of tree species on Earth, and can be defined as the genetic variability of tree species, which has a potential or real value for humans (FAO, Plant genetic... more
    Forest genetic resources represent the genetic diversity contained in thousands of tree species on Earth, and can be defined as the genetic variability of tree species, which has a potential or real value for humans (FAO, Plant genetic resources: their conservation in situ for human use, 1989). The increasing demand for wood, as a raw material for various purposes, as well as general useful forest functions, has made the protection (conservation) and directed utilization of forest genetic resources became a priority task of forestry science and profession. Conservation of forest genetic resources could be defined as a set of activities and strategies that are being implemented with the aim of ensuring the continued existence, evolution and availability of these resources for present and future generations. Conservation of these resources should be considered as the efforts to preserve specific genotypes or populations and the combination of genes within them. Therefore, the aim of genetic resources management is to improve conditions for the continuous evolution of the species, which represents the defense mechanism of organisms in suppression the environmental changes. Genetic variability, which is the result of different genetic processes: mutation, recombination, gene flow, natural selection and genetic drift, presents the basis for conservation of forest genetic resources. The principles of genetic variability conservation can be regarded as identical for all living beings. However, the methods which are applied vary depending on the specificity of the conservation goals, distribution and biological nature of the material that is the object of conservation.
    Black poplar (Popuius nigra L.) belongs to endangered species of Serbia that grow in wetlands. This research was conducted on the Great War Island, which is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, in Belgrade. This... more
    Black poplar (Popuius nigra L.) belongs to endangered species of Serbia that grow in wetlands. This research was conducted on the Great War Island, which is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, in Belgrade. This research aimed to determine the survival rate and growth dynamics of seedlings of different black poplar clones in the first year after planting in the flood conditions of the Great War Island. Recording of surviving seedlings and measurements of heights and diameters were performed in 2019, firstly in the spring (April IB, 2019), the second time during the summer (July IS, 2019), after the flooding period, and the third time in the autumn (October 4,2019), at the end of the vegetation period. The results of descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA), and cluster analysis are presented in this paper. Based on the obtained results, the highest survival rate after the flooding period was recorded in clone number 9 (85.70%), in whic...
    Serbia’s current adaptive capacity to climate change is fairly modest. However, with the beginning of the process of Serbia’s accession to the European Union, the capacities for strategic consideration of climate change issues began to... more
    Serbia’s current adaptive capacity to climate change is fairly modest. However, with the beginning of the process of Serbia’s accession to the European Union, the capacities for strategic consideration of climate change issues began to strengthen. Activities are focused primarily on the processes necessary to reduce the causes of climate change (mitigation), and the consideration of adaptation is still neglected. Forest ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle since they have a large potential for carbon sequestration within forest biomass and forest soils. However, conservation of forest genetic resources has not been recognized as a separate significant mechanism for adaptation to climate change within the national policy framework. Conservationists will face numerous challenges in their attempts to adapt conservation activities to climate change trends. According to the estimated speed of climate change, spontaneous natural selection will play a less important...
    In this chapter is analysed the institutional framework for conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) in Serbia, i.e. institutions and organizations responsible for this issue at the republic level. The results show that a number of... more
    In this chapter is analysed the institutional framework for conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) in Serbia, i.e. institutions and organizations responsible for this issue at the republic level. The results show that a number of institutions and organizations are involved in conservation work. The top institutions of public administration are the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (through the work of the Directorate for Forests) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection (through the work of the Sector for Nature Protection and Climate Change). The public service for nature conservation is responsible for the support and control in the performance of professional activities. The public enterprise for state forests management and public enterprises for management of national parks, as well as other organizations, including non-governmental organizations, are responsible for the implementation of professional activities on FGR conservation. The work of ...
    The aim of this chapter is an overall review and analysis of the most important national regulative frameworks related to conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources in Serbia. A number of legally-binding and... more
    The aim of this chapter is an overall review and analysis of the most important national regulative frameworks related to conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources in Serbia. A number of legally-binding and non-binding documents (strategies, laws and programs), which have an effect on the conservation and sustainable utilization of forest genetic resources, were adopted after the 2000s in Serbia. This issue is mainly the subject of strategies, laws and programs from the fields of forestry, sustainable development, environmental and nature protection. It could be stated that there is no adopted legally-binding legislation which directly relates to the FGR conservation in Serbia.
    European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a common forest tree species in Europe, distributed across environmentally and climatically diverse regions, resulting in wide natural diversity. Considering its wide distribution and the fact that... more
    European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a common forest tree species in Europe, distributed across environmentally and climatically diverse regions, resulting in wide natural diversity. Considering its wide distribution and the fact that it is drought-susceptible species, beech received a lot of attention recently, in the light of global warming. Consequently, the provenance trial will provide valuable information about genetic variation patterns of the species, the level of local adaptation to changes in environmental conditions as well as information about the amount of adaptive traits plasticity of the studied species within two research periods. The plastic response of provenance morphological traits depends on differences in climatic conditions of the test site and seed origin, showing changes only if the shift happens towards warmer/drier climate, where higher plasticity were showed in older plants within drier conditions. The presented result also show the existence of conside...
    Recent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while... more
    Recent technological advances in the field of genomics offer conservation managers and practitioners new tools to explore for conservation applications. Many of these tools are well developed and used by other life science fields, while others are still in development. Considering these technological possibilities, choosing the right tool(s) from the toolbox is crucial and can pose a challenging task. With this in mind, we strive to inspire, inform and illuminate managers and practitioners on how conservation efforts can benefit from the current genomic and biotechnological revolution. With inspirational case studies we show how new technologies can help resolve some of the main conservation challenges, while also informing how implementable the different technologies are. We here focus specifically on small population management, highlight the potential for genetic rescue, and discuss the opportunities in the field of gene editing to help with adaptation to changing environments. I...
    European beech is renowned due to its ornamental cultivars, such as purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), but its production in Serbia is represented in small number of nurseries. The aim of this paper was to analyze the success of... more
    European beech is renowned due to its ornamental cultivars, such as purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), but its production in Serbia is represented in small number of nurseries. The aim of this paper was to analyze the success of hetero-vegetative propagation of purple beech and variability of different characteristics, in order to improve the production of nursery stocks for widespread use. The splice and wedge grafting were applied, using scions collected from five Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ adult trees, and two different rootstocks: five-year-old seedlings directly produced in nursery beds and one-year-old containerized seedlings. Analysis of grafting success rates, survival percentage, as well as quantitative (height and root collar diameter) and qualitative (leaf color) characteristics of produced grafts in four successive years, were investigated. Grafting performed using the containerized rootstocks showed the high success rate (50-80%), but the survival percentage at ...
    Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection... more
    Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection of (in)-compatibility of scions and rootstocks. In this paper, the possibility to obtain friable callus tissues was explored by callus induction of adult tissues of Japanese flowering cherry trees from the group Sato zakura (Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’, ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’) and two domestic cherry rootstocks – Prunus avium and Prunus ‘Colt’. The explants used in the research were: leaf petiole, leaf base with a part of a petiole, part of lamina with a midvein and a stem with an axillary bud. Among three plant growth media (MS, SH and WP) that were used in this study, the MS proved to be the most favourable for the majority of taxa during the callus induction process. For the sweet cherry tree and the cultivars ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Colt’, the...
    Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection... more
    Several in vitro biotechnological techniques have been developed, all of which require a reliable protocol to produce a responsive callus mass. One of these techniques is callus fusion in vitro, which is reliable for the early detection of (in)-compatibility of scions and rootstocks. In this paper, the possibility to obtain friable callus tissues was explored by callus induction of adult tissues of Japanese flowering cherry trees from the group Sato zakura (Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’, ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Kiku-shidare-zakura’) and two domestic cherry rootstocks – Prunus avium and Prunus ‘Colt’. The explants used in the research were: leaf petiole, leaf base with a part of a petiole, part of lamina with a midvein and a stem with an axillary bud. Among three plant growth media (MS, SH and WP) that were used in this study, the MS proved to be the most favourable for the majority of taxa during the callus induction process. For the sweet cherry tree and the cultivars ‘Kanzan’ and ‘Colt’, the...
    In this paper, the morphological variability of autochthonous unregistered experimental white poplar clones, L-12, L-80 and L-100, and the registered reference clone Villafranca were monitored in a two-year nursery trial. The highest... more
    In this paper, the morphological variability of autochthonous unregistered experimental white poplar clones, L-12, L-80 and L-100, and the registered reference clone Villafranca were monitored in a two-year nursery trial. The highest percentage of rooting of cuttings and survival of rooted cuttings were recorded for clone L-12, during the two growing seasons. The height of rooted cuttings of L-12 was almost identical to that of Villafranca during the first growing season (rooted cuttings 1/1), and slightly lower, in comparison to Villafranca, after the second growing season (rooted cuttings 1/2). The L-12 and Villafranca clones, which differed in diameter at 10th cm from shoot base, during both years, had the highest values of the diameter of rooted cuttings of both types. Coppicing appears to have an exceptionally positive effect on the increase in both height and diameter in clone L-100, while the production of quality rooted cuttings of L-80 requires further optimization. [Projec...
    ABSTRACT Wetlands are the transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, popularly known as “biological supermarkets” , because of rich aboveground and belowground biodiversity and interwoven food chains. The Great War... more
    ABSTRACT Wetlands are the transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, popularly known as “biological supermarkets” , because of rich aboveground and belowground biodiversity and interwoven food chains. The Great War Island is the wetland that has been created as an alluvial-accumulative and sedimentary formation, due to stopping of sandy sediments at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. It is the protected natural area, located in the city of Belgrade (Serbia), which includes the presence of different types of flora and fauna, dependent to a greater or lesser degree of water amount. The rich vegetation consists of swamp and aquatic communities, as well as the different communities of alluvial forests. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) categorization, European White Elm (Ulmus effusa Willd.) belongs to the category of rare and endangered species in Serbia. The disappearance of wetland habitats, where the White Elm is represented, is the primary threat to the survival of populations and their genetic diversity, which leads to the ecological instability of this species. Through detailed terrain recognition, a total of 56 European White Elm trees were registered in three spatially isolated sub-populations, which represent the only remaining parts of former natural populations in the Great War Island. This fact indicates the importance of genetic conservation of European White Elm gene pool in this protected area. The assessment of production and adaptive potentials of different half-sib lines represents a basis for seed collection and seedling production, aimed at spreading the population of endangered species and preservation of genetic variability. Certainly, belowground-aboveground interactions can alter plant development and productivity. The European White Elm plantation was established at the Great War Island with 14 half-sib lines, originating from the natural sub-populations at this area. The percentage of seedlings emergence and survival was monitored during the first year after their transplanting to the permanent place. The analysis of the development of White Elm seedlings is a subject of continuous monitoring, in order to determine the linking belowground biodiversity and plants development in this plantation. Keywords: belowground biodiversity, European White Elm, plantation, wetland
    ABSTRACT State and Perspectives of Genetically Modified Trees in some Western Balkan Countries Nonić M., J. Nedeljković, U. Radojević, C. Vettori and M. Šijačić-Nikolić Abstract Taking into account the significant role of forest... more
    ABSTRACT State and Perspectives of Genetically Modified Trees in some Western Balkan Countries Nonić M., J. Nedeljković, U. Radojević, C. Vettori and M. Šijačić-Nikolić Abstract Taking into account the significant role of forest ecosystems in the process of climate change mitigation and the fact that there is, at the same time, increased market demand for wood and paper products, it is clear that innovative forest management practices, should be introduced. These led to the noticeable increase in interest in biotechnology, especially genetic engineering. But, one should be aware that the adoption of genetically modified trees (GMTs) will not depend only on the soundness of the technology and science, but also on how such organisms are perceived by the public. In this chapter legal framework related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and some public attitudes towards adoption of transgenic forest plants in selected Western Balkan countries are briefly described and analyzed. Those countries are Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The method of comparative analysis was applied in order to determine the similarities and differences in the legal framework related to GMOs and also the attitudes of students from different faculties. A survey was conducted with university students, from faculties of forestry, applied ecology and agriculture in 2012. The basic comparison groups were forestry and applied ecology students, while smaller group of agriculture students was used for additional comparisons. The questionnaire covered the following topics: 1) knowledge of genetically modified forest plants; 2) acceptance of transgenic forest plants adoption; 3) perceptions of transgenic forest plants adoption safety. The research results show that legislative framework in selected Western Balkan countries is different and in some countries, it is not in line with the EU legislative. Results of the pilot study show that most students, from all three categories, have knowledge on transgenic forest trees, all surveyed students agree that different genetic modifications of forest trees would be important for their country, but there are differences in their attitudes towards the most important benefit. Keywords: genetically modified trees, biotechnology, genetic engineering, legislative, public attitudes, Western Balkans
    The genus Taxodium Rich. was widely located in Europe and North America in the past. Nowadays there are only three species from the southern parts of North America and Mexico: Taxodium ascendens Brogn., Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. and... more
    The genus Taxodium Rich. was widely located in Europe and North America in the past. Nowadays there are only three species from the southern parts of North America and Mexico: Taxodium ascendens Brogn., Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. and Taxodium mucronatum Ten. The natural habitats of taxodium are some temporary wet soils in south-eastern part of the USA, from Lousiana to Florida. In Serbia there is mainly Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. which grows on some wet habitats – there are a number of single trees located on some green surfaces of urban areas. There is a seed plantation in Backa Palanka in the northern part of Serbia. There are some representatives of Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. on the “The Great War Island” area, too, where a great variability of Bald cypress introduces special genetic potential that includes more than 80 well-adapted genotypes. The evaluation of morphological characteristics variability of twigs and needles was measured on 48 genotypes from the “Great War...
    Abstract. In Serbia, under different type of protection is around 6% of the State territory. There are more than 400 protected areas and 5 of them are national parks (NP). The largest NP in Serbia, NP Djerdap, stretches along the right... more
    Abstract. In Serbia, under different type of protection is around 6% of the State territory. There are more than 400 protected areas and 5 of them are national parks (NP). The largest NP in Serbia, NP Djerdap, stretches along the right bank of the Danube River, for about 100 km. NP Djerdap is managed by Public Enterprise “NP Djerdap”. Priority management goals relate to sustainable use, protection, maintenance, monitoring and improvement of natural resources. The aim of this paper is to present state and governance of natural protected areas in Serbia, with a special emphasis on management of NP Djerdap. Key words: natural protected areas, management, National park Djerdap, Danube, Serbia
    ABSTRACT State and Perspectives of Genetically Modified Trees in some Western Balkan Countries Nonić M., J. Nedeljković, U. Radojević, C. Vettori and M. Šijačić-Nikolić Abstract Taking into account the significant role of forest... more
    ABSTRACT State and Perspectives of Genetically Modified Trees in some Western Balkan Countries Nonić M., J. Nedeljković, U. Radojević, C. Vettori and M. Šijačić-Nikolić Abstract Taking into account the significant role of forest ecosystems in the process of climate change mitigation and the fact that there is, at the same time, increased market demand for wood and paper products, it is clear that innovative forest management practices, should be introduced. These led to the noticeable increase in interest in biotechnology, especially genetic engineering. But, one should be aware that the adoption of genetically modified trees (GMTs) will not depend only on the soundness of the technology and science, but also on how such organisms are perceived by the public. In this chapter legal framework related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and some public attitudes towards adoption of transgenic forest plants in selected Western Balkan countries are briefly described and analyzed. Those countries are Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The method of comparative analysis was applied in order to determine the similarities and differences in the legal framework related to GMOs and also the attitudes of students from different faculties. A survey was conducted with university students, from faculties of forestry, applied ecology and agriculture in 2012. The basic comparison groups were forestry and applied ecology students, while smaller group of agriculture students was used for additional comparisons. The questionnaire covered the following topics: 1) knowledge of genetically modified forest plants; 2) acceptance of transgenic forest plants adoption; 3) perceptions of transgenic forest plants adoption safety. The research results show that legislative framework in selected Western Balkan countries is different and in some countries, it is not in line with the EU legislative. Results of the pilot study show that most students, from all three categories, have knowledge on transgenic forest trees, all surveyed students agree that different genetic modifications of forest trees would be important for their country, but there are differences in their attitudes towards the most important benefit. Keywords: genetically modified trees, biotechnology, genetic engineering, legislative, public attitudes, Western Balkans
    The research was conducted on a provenance test of beech established in the Educational-research centre ?Majdanpecka domena? - Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the morphometric... more
    The research was conducted on a provenance test of beech established in the Educational-research centre ?Majdanpecka domena? - Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the morphometric characteristics of leaves, at the level of 10 provenances in the juvenile developmental stage, originating from South-Eastern Europe. Herbaria material was used to measure the following parameters: leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, leaf base width at 1 cm (from petiole base), the number of veins -on the left, the number of veins - on the right, and distance between the 3rd and 4th vein - on the left. Based on research results, it can be concluded that the obtained differences between the mean values of all measured foliar characteristics of the analyzed provenances are statistically significant, and that there is significant correlation between the length and width of leaves and the Ellenberg?s quotient (EQ). The relationship between the ada...
    Wetlands are the transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, popularly known as “biological supermarkets” , because of rich aboveground and belowground biodiversity and interwoven food chains. The Great War Island is the... more
    Wetlands are the transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, popularly known as “biological supermarkets” , because of rich aboveground and belowground biodiversity and interwoven food chains. The Great War Island is the wetland that has been created as an alluvial-accumulative and sedimentary formation, due to stopping of sandy sediments at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. It is the protected natural area, located in the city of Belgrade (Serbia), which includes the presence of different types of flora and fauna, dependent to a greater or lesser degree of water amount. The rich vegetation consists of swamp and aquatic communities, as well as the different communities of alluvial forests. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) categorization, European White Elm (Ulmus effusa Willd.) belongs to the category of rare and endangered species in Serbia. The disappearance of wetland habitats, where the White Elm is represented,...
    ABSTRACT http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-3-319-09380-2?otherVersion=978-3-319-09380-2 This book provides complete, comprehensive and broad subject based reviews complete in it-self, useful for students, teachers,... more
    ABSTRACT http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/book/978-3-319-09380-2?otherVersion=978-3-319-09380-2 This book provides complete, comprehensive and broad subject based reviews complete in it-self, useful for students, teachers, researchers and all others interested in the biodiversity conservation. The field of biotechnology has been kept broad to accommodate the wide ranging topics. How biotechnology can affect and solve the problems related to biodiversity management, protection and conservation are described.
    The research was conducted on a provenance test оf beech established in the Educational-research centre „Majdanpečka domena” - Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the morphometric... more
    The research was conducted on a provenance test оf beech established in the Educational-research centre „Majdanpečka domena” - Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the morphometric characteristics of leaves, at the level of 10 provenances in the juvenile developmental stage, originating from South-Eastern Europe. Herbaria material was used to measure the following parameters: leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, leaf base width at 1 cm (from petiole base), the number of veins –on the left, the number of veins – on the right, and distance between the 3rd and 4th vein – on the left. Based on research results, it can be concluded that the obtained differences between the mean values of all measured foliar characteristics of the analyzed provenances are statistically significant, and that there is significant correlation between the length and width of leaves and the Ellenberg’s quotient (EQ). The relationship between the ada...
    Извод: У оквиру укупног биодиверзитета Србије значајно место заузимају шумски генетички ресурси, који представљају генетички диверзитет садр- жан у хиљадама врста шумског дрвећа. Шумски екосистеми Србије изграђе- ни су од око 250... more
    Извод: У оквиру укупног биодиверзитета Србије значајно место заузимају шумски генетички ресурси, који представљају генетички диверзитет садр- жан у хиљадама врста шумског дрвећа. Шумски екосистеми Србије изграђе- ни су од око 250 аутохтоних дрвенастих врста, које према географско-флор- ним елементима, припадају средње-европском, понтском и медитеранском елементу. У оквиру расположивог генофонда, посебну пажњу треба посве- тити дивљим дрвенастим воћкама, као и оним врстама које, према IUCN- категоризацији, спадају у реликтне, ендемичне, ретке и угрожене. Регула- торна основа за конзервацију и усмерено коришћење шумских генетичких ресурса у Србији може се наћи у стратешким и законским актима из области заштите животне средине, заштите природе и шумарства. Досадашње ак- тивности на очувању шумских генетичких ресурса нису довољне, при чему се степен њихове угрожености континуирано повећава, као последица екс- плоатације шума и климатских промена. Све ово захтева јасно дефинисање национа...

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