Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Betim Bresilla Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Workplace-Name: Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Pejë, Kosovo Author-Name: Muhamet Zogaj Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo Author-Name: Tamás András Szegi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Soil Science, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gödöllő, Hungary Author-Name: Bekri Xhemali Author-Workplace-Name: Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Pejë, Kosovo Author-Name: Gazmend Gjinovci Author-Workplace-Name: Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Pejë, Kosovo Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania Author-Name: Florentina Racaj Author-Workplace-Name: Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Pejë, Kosovo Author-Name: Zenun Husaj Author-Workplace-Name: Kosovo Institute of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Pejë, Kosovo Title: Effect of pine afforestation on soil physicochemical properties compared to pasture land: A case study in Kosovo Abstract: This study investigates the long-term effects of pine (Pinus nigra) afforestation on soil characteristics in comparison to adjacent pastureland in central Kosovo. Soil samples (n = 24) were collected from two land-use types, pine plantations and grassland, over three topographic positions (lower, medium, upper) and two depths (0-10 cm and 10-20 cm). Standard laboratory techniques were used to determine soil organic matter (SOM), organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH (H2O and CaCl2), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and bulk density (BD). The data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and correlation matrices. The top soils (0-10 cm) beneath pine had higher soil organic matter (mean 2.45%) compared to the pasture lane (1.59%). The SOC and TN levels increased by 43% and 36%, respectively. Soil pH was lower under pine (mean pH_H2O = 6.3) than under pasture land (pH_H2O = 6.81), particularly on middle and lower slopes. Exchangeable calcium and magnesium declined by up to 20% under pine plantations, and bulk density also decreased (for example, 1.15 g.cm-3 under pine land compared to 1.29 g.cm-3 under pasture land), signifying reduced compaction. Phosphorus concentrations were slightly higher under pasture at a depth of 0-10 cm (mean 12.4 mg.100 g-1), but under pine, they increased at a depth of 10-20 cm on top slopes. PCA showed differentiation based on land use, with the initial two components representing 70.1% of the overall variance. Keywords: bulk density dynamics, land use change, soil acidification, soil carbon sequestration Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 589-598 Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/73/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/73/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202512-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:12:id:73-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vladimír Gryc Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Kyriaki Giagli Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Sergei Mikhailov Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Marko Stojanović Author-Workplace-Name: Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Dimitrios Tsalagkas Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Hanuš Vavrčík Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Petr Horáček Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Wood Science and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Variation in wood density between mature sessile oak and English oak trees growing in different vegetation zones Abstract: Wood density is a fundamental functional trait influencing ecological adaptation, hydraulic safety, and timber utilisation in temperate hardwoods. This study investigated variation in wood density (12% moisture) across mature stands of two economically and ecologically vital European oak species, sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] and English oak (Quercus robur L.), growing in their characteristic vegetation zones in the Czech Republic. We assessed wood density at two heights (at 1.3 m and at the crown base) across six trees per plot and examined its relationship with tree-ring width and height. Results demonstrated statistically significant interspecific differences, with Q. petraea consistently exhibiting higher wood density (721 kg.m-3) than Q. robur (662 kg.m-3) at 1.3 m. Q. petraea showed a statistically nonsignificant higher density of 710 kg.m-3 at the crown base and an overall average of 717 kg.m-3, while Q. robur had densities of 701 kg.m-3 and 669 kg.m-3, respectively. Radial density profiles revealed species-specific patterns, with Q. robur showing a more uniform density distribution than the pronounced pith-to-bark gradients observed in Q. petraea. Regression analysis indicated that tree-ring width explained only 12-13% of the variance in density, so other anatomical factors, such as latewood proportion and tree-ring structure (number and cell size), should be examined as anatomical drivers of wood-density variation. Keywords: Czech Republic, Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L., radial variation, wood properties Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 614-623 Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/74/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/74/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202512-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:12:id:74-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Petra Hlaváčková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Martin Cempírek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: David Březina Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The new EU Timber Regulation 2023/1115 and its legal implications for the Czech forestry and timber sector Abstract: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products (EUDR) establishes a substantially revised legal framework that extends beyond the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR 995/2010) by integrating legality, sustainability, and traceability obligations. This article provides a legal and comparative assessment of the implications of the EUDR for the Czech forestry and timber sector. The methodological approach combines doctrinal interpretation of EU legislation, comparative analysis of national implementation models, and an examination of relevant case law. Experiences from selected EU Member States are used to illustrate institutional, technological, and administrative challenges linked to EUDR implementation. The results indicate that, although the Czech Republic has an established regulatory framework under Act No. 251/2025 Coll., effective compliance with the EUDR will require improved coordination among supervisory authorities and the development of a unified digital platform for submitting and verifying due diligence declarations. Evidence from other European countries shows that integrated monitoring systems and the use of third-party certification can enhance both efficiency and transparency. The study concludes that the successful implementation of the EUDR in the Czech context will depend on institutional capacity, digital readiness, and the ability of forest managers and traders to adapt to more stringent environmental and traceability requirements. Keywords: Czech Republic, deforestation-free products, due diligence, forestry law, timber trade Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 575-588 Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/82/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/82/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202512-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:12:id:82-2025-JFS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 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 Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Physiology of Forest Trees, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Zdeněk Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jan Cukor Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Jíloviště-Strnady, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Dominik Báňa Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Stanislav Vacek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Leaf area index and soil water content responses to pre-commercial thinning in Norway spruce plantations under climate change Abstract: Global climate change (GCC) and increasing drought frequency pose a threat to the stability of European forests, particularly those of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] plantations. We investigated how different pre-commercial thinning (PCT) intensities affect leaf area index (LAI) and its relationship to soil water content (SWC) in young spruce stands in northeastern Czechia. Three permanent research plots in a 13-year-old monoculture were subjected to mild PCT, heavy PCT, or left as an unthinned control in winter 2019/2020. Thinning caused an immediate decrease in LAI, with averages of 8.3 ± 1.1 m2.m-2 (mild), 3.8 ± 0.5 m2.m-2 (heavy) and 11.1 ±1.1 m2.m-2 (control) in 2020. By 2023, LAI in the mildly thinned stand had largely converged with the control, whereas the heavily thinned stand maintained significantly lower LAI. The strongest relationship between LAI and SWC occurred in the heavily thinned plot (R2 = 0.715 in 2021), while correlations were weak or transient in the mildly thinned and control plots. These results indicate that PCT intensity influences both the magnitude and duration of LAI reduction and is associated with differences in stand water dynamics. Appropriately adjusted thinning may therefore modestly affect water availability and could contribute to adaptive management of spruce forests under GCC. Keywords: biometeorology, forest management, Picea abies, silvicultural intervention, stand structure Journal: Journal of Forest Science Pages: 599-613 Volume: 71 Issue: 12 Year: 2025 DOI: 10.17221/79/2025-JFS File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/79/2025-JFS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/jfs-202512-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:71:y:2025:i:12:id:79-2025-JFS