Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Peng Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Transportation Engineering, Nanjing University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, China Author-Workplace-Name: College of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China Author-Name: Kangkang Pan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Transportation Engineering, Nanjing University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, China Author-Name: Jun Yuan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Transportation Engineering, Nanjing University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, China Author-Name: Sipu Pan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Transportation Engineering, Nanjing University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, China Author-Workplace-Name: College of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China Author-Name: Yujin Yang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Transportation Engineering, Nanjing University of Industry Technology, Nanjing, China Title: A review of research on hybrid unmanned vehicles in complex forest and grassland terrains Abstract: The sustainable management of European forest ecosystems necessitates innovative mechanisation solutions to address operational challenges in hilly, mountainous, and ecologically sensitive terrains. Hybrid-drive unmanned vehicles (HDUVs) present a transformative potential by integrating fuel-electric powertrains with autonomous navigation systems, enabling energy-efficient operations with minimal environmental impact. This review synthesises and critically analyses advancements in three critical domains: (i) dynamic modelling and chassis design for enhanced terrain adaptability, (ii) hybrid powertrain optimisation for reduced emissions and extended operational range, and (iii) the integration of unmanned systems for precision forestry tasks. By examining multi-body dynamics, power management strategies, and AI-driven navigation algorithms, we elucidate the role of HDUVs in improving operational efficiency while mitigating soil disturbance and carbon footprint. The review identifies prevailing research gaps and suggests that future work should prioritise the development of standardised testing protocols and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to align HDUV development with EU biodiversity and climate objectives. Keywords: hybrid-drive systems, precision forestry, sustainable forest management, unmanned ground vehicles Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 525-541 Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/65/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/65/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202511-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:11:id:65-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adam Véle Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Name: Martin Fulín Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Name: Maan Bahadur Rokaya Author-Workplace-Name: Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Průhonice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Karolína Bílá Author-Workplace-Name: Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Effects of tree characteristics and climatic conditions on gall midge abundance on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Abstract: As a consequence of climate change and damage to coniferous forests, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the preferred plant species for forest restoration in Central Europe. European beech is generally regarded as pest-resistant. However, its vulnerability to secondary pests, for instance, gall-forming midges, may increase with environmental stress such as long drought periods. We analysed the abundance of two gall-forming insects, Mikiola fagi and Hartigiola annulipes, on European beech at 26 forest sites across the Czech Republic, spanning diverse climatic and environmental conditions, using generalised linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of abiotic factors and host tree characteristics. The results revealed that M. fagi was more abundant on younger trees, in stands with lower canopy closure, and under warmer spring conditions. In contrast, the abundance of H. annulipes declined in drought-affected areas. These patterns demonstrate species-specific responses of gall midges to host tree characteristics and climatic variables, suggesting that climate change may favour higher M. fagi abundance. Accordingly, our findings support the establishment of young beech stands under higher canopy closure, for example, beneath the shading of mature trees. Keywords: climate change, damage, drought, pest, phenology, tree properties Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 565-573 Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/64/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/64/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202511-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:11:id:64-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Eliška Žižková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Martin Kománek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Dominika Krausková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Management and Applied Geoinformatics, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jakub Černý Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic Title: Comparison of shelterwood and clear-cut regeneration methods on morphological traits of naturally regenerated sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] seedlings Abstract: The natural regeneration of the sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] is an important aspect of sustainable forest management, especially given the ongoing global climate change and the need to maintain forest stand stability and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of various regeneration methods on the growth of naturally regenerated sessile oak in the Masaryk Forest Training Enterprise Křtiny, Czech Republic. The research was conducted in seven forest stands where regeneration felling was applied after masting in 2022 (winter 2022/2023) using clear-cut (CC) and shelterwood (S) systems. A total of 531 seedlings were collected from these seven research plots, and the following morphological traits were measured: shoot length, root collar diameter, and biomass allocation. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in shoot length, main root length and total seedling length between the CC and S variants. However, there were no significant differences in root collar diameter or any of the dry-mass parameters between the clear-cut with standards (CC1) variant and the shelterwood plots. Individuals from the CC variants have a 10.3-47.0% wider root collar diameter, 22.3-91.4% more dry mass of the root system, and 51.7-90.4% more dry mass of the aboveground part than individuals in the S variants. These results indicate that the early growth of sessile oak seedlings is greatly influenced by light availability: full sunlight stimulates the development of above- and below-ground parts, whereas canopy cover restricts early growth, particularly in terms of height. The findings highlight the need to consider light and site conditions when planning silvicultural treatments aimed at establishing stable and vigorous oak stands in the face of changing climate conditions. Keywords: biomass, destructive sampling, global climate change, natural regeneration, root system Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 542-554 Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/77/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/77/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202511-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:11:id:77-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Anna Plačková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Zdeněk Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Stanislav Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jan Cukor Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Name: Josef Gallo Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jakub Černý Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) establishment success under climate change: Effect of site, stock type and planting time Abstract: Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widespread and economically important coniferous species in the Northern Hemisphere. However, its regeneration success has recently been increasingly affected by global climate change (GCC), particularly through increasing mortality. This research aimed to evaluate the early establishment success of 30 400 bare-root and containerised Scots pine seedlings and saplings of different height classes, planted at various times on acidic and gleyed sites (479-610 m a.s.l.) across four locations in the Czech Republic. On acidic sites, seedlings exhibited 16% higher height growth and 11% lower mortality compared to gleyed sites. Containerised planting stock achieved significantly (P < 0.05) greater height growth (by 83%) and lower mortality (by 36%) than bare-root stock. For containerised material, spring plantings showed superior growth and vitality compared to autumn plantings. Planting stock height class had a stronger influence on height growth than on mortality. Based on the results, planting containerised saplings of 26-35 cm or 36-50 cm height in April is recommended for optimal establishment success of Scots pine under GCC. Keywords: artificial regeneration, bare-rooted and containerised seedlings/saplings, climate stress, Czech Republic, growth potential, mortality Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 555-564 Volume: 71 Issue: 11 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/84/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/84/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202511-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:11:id:84-2025-JFS