Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering

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Woody plant diversity in mosque courtyards: a comparative study of pre- and post-republic periods
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-09-29)
Yucedag, Cengiz
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Vergili, Oznur Kubra
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Mosque courtyards are important urban spaces from an environmental and cultural standpoint, yet little is known about their urban ecology. This study investigated the woody plant diversity in a total of 50 mosque courtyards in Burdur city centre, Türkiye, through an extensive field survey across pre- and post-republic periods. The investigation revealed a discernible shift towards greener and more meticulously designed mosque environments in the post-republic era, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of creating visually appealing and environmentally sustainable spaces within religious institutions. A total of 34 families, 61 genera, and 103 species were determined and observed. Furthermore, the study highlighted the ecological importance of certain plant species, particularly emphasizing the resilience of Pinus brutia and P. nigra in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change and urbanization. Additionally, there was a notable consistency in the woody plant preferences between pre- and post-republican mosques. The woody plants such as Prunus domestica, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus arizonica, Olea europea, Pinus brutia, Vitis vinifera, and Rosa sp. were most commonly found in both periods of mosques. However, the presence of non-native species raises pertinent questions regarding the balance between tradition preservation and global biodiversity embrace. To address this disparity and enhance biodiversity, the study suggests prioritizing native species in mosque landscaping. Overall, by elucidating the complex interplay between plant diversity, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of mosques’ role as integral components of urban landscapes and suggests avenues for enhancing their societal and ecological contributions.
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Adopting Conservation Agriculture Systems in Morocco: A Case Study
(Bilingual Publishing Group, 2025-05-28)
Brache, Othmane
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Laaribya, Said
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Bouta, Ayoub
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<jats:p>This research paper addresses, from an ecogeographic perspective within a localised context, a new concept of nature conservation within modern farming systems: the direct seeding technique based on the principles of the Conservation Agriculture System (CAS). The adoption of CAS aims to increase soil fertility, promote biodiversity, and sustain production, making it one of the most effective adaptation solutions available to address the challenges of climate change. CAS is defined as a farming system based on three key principles: minimal soil disturbance (reduced or zero tillage), maintaining a permanent soil cover (with residues from previous crops), and adopting crop rotation (diversifying crops rather than limiting them to a single type in consecutive seasons). However, there is limited research and a lack of scientific studies on the implementation of conservation agriculture in developing nations such as Morocco, particularly in the Had Kourt region. This study aims to assess the feasibility of CAS compared to traditional agricultural systems by surveying the opinions of farmers who have experience with both systems and comparing the outcomes of their practices based on simple indicators as an initial stage, with further analysis of additional indicators planned through subsequent scientific investigations. The sampling method used in this study is non-discriminatory, as semi-structured interviews were conducted with a group of farmers to gather their opinions on CAS. The adoption of conservation agriculture has been linked to prior knowledge of the system, acquired through training and fieldwork via application platforms, which remain limited in scope.</jats:p>
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First Report of Verticillium Wilt on Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven) in North Macedonia caused by Verticillium dahliae
(American Phytopathological Society, 2025-03-17)
Halmschlager, Erhard
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Dauth, Benjamin
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Maschek, Oliver
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Voglmayr, Hermann
Tree-of-Heaven, a highly invasive species on all continents except Antarctica, is frequently found on the Balkan Peninsula. In 2019, Ailanthus altissima has been put on the "List of invasive alien species of Union concern"; thus, measures for eradication and control are mandatory in all EU member countries. Verticillium wilt of A. altissima, which has been reported in the USA (Schall and Davis 2009; Kasson et al. 2014; Rebbeck et al. 2013) and in Europe (Maschek and Halmschlager 2016; Moragrega et al. 2021) in the last decade, has already been successfully used for biological control of Ailanthus. In the course of an excursion of the international REUFIS meeting, young symptomatic A. altissima trees, exhibiting severe foliar wilt symptoms, brownish vascular discoloration, dieback, and premature death, were observed at two different sites in the southern part of Skopje, North Macedonia (Kluchka Sonchev: 41.973155N, 21.428846E; Vidikovec (Panorama): 41.977671N, 21.421135E) in June 2024. To identify the causal organism, 50-cm-long branch samples were taken from symptomatic A. altissima and cut into 5-cm pieces, surface sterilized by dipping into 96% ethanol for 1 min, and then breamed. After removing the bark, 23 (Kluchka Sonchev) and 8 (Vidikovec) tissue samples of about 5 mm in length were excised from discolored sapwood and placed onto 2% malt extract agar plates supplemented with 100 mg/l streptomycin sulphate. Plates were incubated at 22°C in the dark for 10 days. Fungal colonies emerged from all plated tissue samples of both sites, all of which were putatively identified as Verticillium dahliae Kleb. based on the abundant formation of microsclerotia and the hyaline, non-septate, cylindrical or ellipsoid conidia developing on verticillate conidiophores. Morphological identification was confirmed by DNA sequencing of two selected isolates (one from each site), using primers coding for ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF) (Inderbitzin et al. 2011) and a BLAST search against the reference sequences of the type strain of V. dahliae PD322 (GenBank Accession No. NR_126124 (ITS) and HQ414624.1 (TEF)) at NCBI NLM, which revealed 100% homology (ITS1: 492 matching base pairs; TEF: 579 matching base pairs) between the type strain and the two North Macedonian isolates. Aligned sequences of both isolates (Vd-NM01, Vd-NM02) were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. PQ615325, PQ615358, PQ858706, PQ858707). To confirm pathogenicity, 10 two-year-old potted Ailanthus seedlings were stem-inoculated with a conidial suspension (1 x 107 spores/ml, 1 ml/tree) of V. dahliae isolate Vd-NM01 and 10 with isolate Vd-NM02 on September 12, 2024; 5 seedlings treated with sterile water and 3 untreated seedlings served as controls. Following maintenance in the greenhouse, all V. dahliae-inoculated trees developed wilting symptoms two to three weeks after inoculation and were completely defoliated or showed heavy wilting symptoms on October 31, 2024, whereas all 8 control trees remained asymptomatic or displayed minor wilting symptoms related to autumn senescence. V. dahliae was re-isolated from all treated trees, but no control tree, thus confirming Koch's postulates. Despite of the high disease severity on infected trees, natural V. dahliae infections will not allow efficient control of A. altissima without human intervention on these affected sites in North Macedonia, due to the low disease incidence (<5%) on both sites.
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The Role of Urban Trees in Reducing Land Surface Temperature
(Prensip Publishing, 2023-03-30)
Yaşlı, Ruken
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Yücedağ, Cengiz
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Ayan, Sezgin
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Increasing urbanization in the world in recent years has resulted in the replacement of areas covered with plants by buildings. Because of this change, urban areas are warmer than rural areas (urban heat island). In this investigation, the urban heat island (UHI) effect, the methods of combating this effect and notably the role of urban trees are exhaustively elaborated by considering the relevant literature. In addition, suggestions were made on which species should be selected and how tree species should be positioned to reduce UHI effect. There are solid evidences that trees, urban green spaces and wider green infrastructure can bring significant reductions in urban temperatures. Urban planners and decision makers can help combat UHI and increase urban resilience to the effects of climate change, primarily by planting the urban environment with extensive shade-providing species and harnessing the most of the opportunities afforded by restoration activities. Trees and other vegetation can cool the surrounding air by evapotranspiration thanks to both transpiration from plant leaves and evaporation of water from irrigated soil. The tree canopy can considerably improve outdoor thermal comfort by preventing a pedestrian from being exposed to solar radiation, and also by protecting floors and building coverings from UHI effect. Furthermore, if a roadside afforestation is to be established to combat UHI effect, a proper plan based on the character of the road will be beneficial in terms of achieving the determined goals. Eventually, the adaptation to UHI should be achieved to plan short-, medium- and long-term changes.
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Linear Greenery in Urban Areas and Green Corridors Case Study: Blvd. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Blvd. Hristijan Todorovski Karposh, Skopje, North Macedonia
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2022-12-07)
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Čukanović, Jelena
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Orlović, Saša
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Increasing population, expansion of urban areas and rapid urbanization are the main causes of losing green spaces, which results in many environmental problems and threatens the quality of urban life. Urban green spaces are of great importance and urban planning issues nowadays gain increasing popularity. It is realized that biological methodologies need to be used in urban planning, otherwise the quality of life will be more threatened. In order to discover the meaning and importance of green corridors in urban areas, a literature review was undertaken. Boulevards, as green corridors, are very important linear parts in the structures of dense modern cities. If planned and designed properly, they mitigate the negative effects of densely built urban environment. Green corridors provide numerous environmental benefits, they are an essential factor of sustainability and have a significant impact on biodiversity. Green corridors also provide social benefits, by enhancing well-being through contact with nature. They decrease health problems and improve the quality of life. The importance of urban green corridors was observed and presented on the example of Blvd. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Blvd. Hristijan Todorovski Karposh, which form an important ecological network in the northern part of Skopje, North Macedonia. The emphasis is on planning, designing and improving green corridors in urban areas like Skopje. Although these two boulevards are well designed as green corridors, with preserved old line greenery, planted with many different plant species (trees, shrubs, perennials), covered by grass, with bicycle and pedestrian paths, there is still potential for improvement. Linear parks on both sides of the new part of the Blvd. Hristijan Todorovski Karposh would be a great idea.
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A major tool for afforestation of semi-arid and anthropogenic steppe areas in Turkey: Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe
(Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2021-10-15)
Ayan, Sezgin
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Yücedağ, Cengiz
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In Turkey, almost half of which has semi-arid conditions, steppe areas have continuously been increasing. These areas need to be afforested to prevent desertification. For this purpose, this research presents specifically the Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. pallasiana /Lamb./ Holmboe) as a suitable forest tree species for afforestation activities, due to wide distribution both in Turkey and the broader region. After a thorough investigation of past and recent literature, and onsite activities, the review focuses on the production of seeds and seedlings of the species, land preparation and planting technique, post-planting site maintenance, success in the afforestation areas and considerations on Anatolian black pine seed transfer regioning. In conclusion, local ecological conditions regarding the species should always be taken into consideration. Another important issue for the success of afforestation in semi-arid lands is that the preparation activities of the land for afforestation are carried out with appropriate techniques timely and painstakingly. Moreover, after the 2000s, Turkish forestry focused on afforestation in semi-arid and anthropogenic steppe areas. Anatolian black pine is the most widely used tree species in semi-arid lands and anthropogenic areas and plays the major role in successful afforestation.
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European primary forest database v2.0
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021-08-17)
Sabatini, Francesco Maria
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Bluhm, Hendrik
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Kun, Zoltan
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Aksenov, Dmitry
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Atauri, José A.
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Primary forests, defined here as forests where the signs of human impacts, if any, are strongly blurred due to decades without forest management, are scarce in Europe and continue to disappear. Despite these losses, we know little about where these forests occur. Here, we present a comprehensive geodatabase and map of Europe’s known primary forests. Our geodatabase harmonizes 48 different, mostly field-based datasets of primary forests, and contains 18,411 individual patches (41.1 Mha) spread across 33 countries. When available, we provide information on each patch (name, location, naturalness, extent and dominant tree species) and the surrounding landscape (biogeographical regions, protection status, potential natural vegetation, current forest extent). Using Landsat satellite-image time series (1985–2018) we checked each patch for possible disturbance events since primary forests were identified, resulting in 94% of patches free of significant disturbances in the last 30 years. Although knowledge gaps remain, ours is the most comprehensive dataset on primary forests in Europe, and will be useful for ecological studies, and conservation planning to safeguard these unique forests.</jats:p>
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Protection gaps and restoration opportunities for primary forests in Europe
(Wiley, 2020-09-15)
Sabatini, Francesco M.
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Keeton, William S.
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Lindner, Marcus
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Svoboda, Miroslav
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Verkerk, Pieter J.
Aims: Primary forests are critical for forest biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services. In Europe, these forests are particularly scarce and it is unclear whether they are sufficiently protected. Here we aim to: (a) understand whether extant primary forests are representative of the range of naturally occurring forest types, (b) iden-tify forest types which host enough primary forest under strict protection to meet conservation targets and (c) highlight areas where restoration is needed and feasible. Location: Europe. Methods: We combined a unique geodatabase of primary forests with maps of for-est cover, potential natural vegetation, biogeographic regions and protected areas to quantify the proportion of extant primary forest across Europe's forest types and to identify gaps in protection. Using spatial predictions of primary forest locations to account for underreporting of primary forests, we then highlighted areas where restoration could complement protection. Results: We found a substantial bias in primary forest distribution across forest types. Of the 54 forest types we assessed, six had no primary forest at all, and in two-thirds of forest types, less than 1% of forest was primary. Even if generally protected, only ten forest types had more than half of their primary forests strictly protected. Protecting all documented primary forests requires expanding the protected area networks by 1,132 km2 (19,194 km2 when including also predicted primary forests). Encouragingly, large areas of non-primary forest existed inside protected areas for most types, thus presenting restoration opportunities. Main conclusion: Europe's primary forests are in a perilous state, as also acknowledged by EU's “Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.” Yet, there are considerable opportunities for ensuring better protection and restoring primary forest structure, composition and functioning, at least partially. We advocate integrated policy reforms that explicitly account for the irreplaceable nature of primary forests and ramp up protection and restoration efforts alike.
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Urban Dendroflora of the Macedonia Park in the City of Skopje, North Macedonia
(Udruga Futura, 2019-12-31)
Shotaroska, Martina
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Nikolovski, Tomcho
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Chonevska, Katerina
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Subject of research in this article is the urban dendroflora of the Macedonia Park, situated on about 50,000 m2 in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje, i.e., identification and presence of the recent woody plants. Thus, observed are morphological and ecological features of the woody plants and their current state in this urban environment. The investigation relates to a seven-year period (since the establishment of the Park in 2012 up to late 2019). After the field research and the inventorisation of the woody plants in the Park, 82 taxa were identified, represented in 1,318 individuals. Most represented tree species is the hybrid Platanus × hispanica Mill. ex Münchh. with 103 individuals (7.81% of the overall urban dendroflora). Most frequent tree including infraspecific taxa is Fraxinus excelsior L. (including F. e. ‘Globosa’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’, and F. e. ‘Pendula’) with a total number of 146 individuals (11.08%). Concerning other growth form, the mini and small tree roses of hybrid Rosa Floribunda Group outnumber all ornamental woody species with 225 bushes (17.07%). Climbers are represented with 3 taxa (3.66% of identified taxa) in pergolas (Wisteria sinensis /Sims/ Sweet, Parthenocissus quinquefolia /L./ Planch.), and wire cage topiary (Hedera helix L.). Likewise, 87 individuals (6.60%) of 10 species (12.19%) occur as remnants of the greening in the past of which 3 species are used as a green core of a small sacral architecture: Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis (Mill.) Loudon (with 10 trees), Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (3), and Pinus nigra J.F.Arnold (1). In general, the urban dendroflora is properly selected and used for greening, although certain species and individuals are withering (e.g. Betula pendula ‘Youngii’, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Skyrocket’, F. e. ‘Jaspidea’) or unsuitably used for avenue and in small alpine-like garden.
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Use of modern geomatic techniques for creating and updating a green cadastre of urban trees and shrubs: a case study of Kumanovo city river bank
(Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Forestry in Skopje, 2018)
Mihajlovski, Bojan
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The goal of this paper is to implement modern, up-to-date, geomatics technique and technologies in the environment. The base is made in GIS software, a GPS device is used to record detailed points on the field and for recording and preparing a new orthophoto was used a modern sophisticated drone DJI Mavic Pro. QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information System), as a key software, was used for computer data processing and recordings obtained from the field research, and other utility programs were used to perform the tasks. The subject of the article is the Kumanovo city promenade in Macedonia, which is a convenient place to try and implement this data processing method. The results obtained give us a map of the entire urban dendroflora on the river bank in the city of Kumanovo. In fact, an inventory of all trees and shrubs was carried out, 4 projections were prepared with the help of modern applications, and as the ultimate goal, and a web digital map of the riverbank was prepared. This method can be applied in forestry, agriculture, water management, geodesy, space planning, sustainable development and environmental protection.

Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering

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