Dragica Obratov-Petkovic

Exploring the Park–People Relation: Collection of Vaccinium Myrtillus L. by Local People From Kopaonik National Park in Serbia

Exploitation of certain resources within a protected area on a sustainable basis could contribute to higher living standards of rural people, particularly those in poor countries, and decrease conflicts between these populations and park authorities. This article presents data from a case study of Kopaonik National Park (NP), Serbia, which is a park with natural resources, most notably bilberries, which have always been relied on by local people. Vaccinium myrtillus traditionally has been collected for decades in Kopaonik NP and used by local people. However, little is known about the socioeconomic and ecological relations that affect the collection and use of this species. The aim of the present study was to understand how local people collect bilberries in Kopaonik NP and what their attitudes toward the park are. Household questionnaire data were used to examine how local people collect bilberries and how to improve the relations between local people and NP authorities. The survey questionnaire included 52 households from 7 local communities, and we applied a purposive sampling strategy. In addition, expert interviews were conducted, and from these data we obtained a broader understanding of the relation between local people and NP authorities. The results indicate that in Kopaonik NP, there is a conflict between pickers and NP authorities. Sustainable management should be directed toward the protection of bilberries. Education of local people is a key element in the sustainable collection and protection of natural resources.

Chemical Composition and Interpopulation Variability of Essential Oils of Taxus baccata L. from Serbia

The composition of the essential oil of the twigs and needles of Taxus baccata L. from three natural populations in Serbia has been determined by GC/MS analysis. Of the 91 detected compounds, 87 were identified. The most abundant compound classes were aliphatic alcohols, terpenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and aliphatic aldehydes, which together comprised ca. 86.92% of the total oil composition. The dominant constituents were oct‐1‐en‐3‐ol (23.48%), (3Z)‐hex‐3‐en‐1‐ol (11.46%; aliphatic alcohols), and myrtenol (11.38%; oxygenated monoterpene). The PCA of 22 selected compounds revealed differentiations of populations based on geographic distribution. The CA showed that Populations I and II from the Dinaric Alps were similar, and that Population III from the Balkan mountain system was distinct. This was the first investigation of interpopulation variability of T. baccata populations based on essential oil composition. The results of this study were compared with those of previous studies concerning volatile compounds produced by Taxus species. The results indicate that the essential oil content of T. baccata populations from this study is unique, mostly resembling the population from southeast Serbia.

Understanding Linkages Between Public Participation and Management of Protected Areas – Case Study of Serbia

The issue of participation is an important issue in protected area management. For instance, the IV IUCN World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas convened in Caracas, Venezuela, called for increased community participation and human equity in decisionmaking for protected areas in order to improve their management (IUCN, 1993). The term participation can be interpreted in very different ways, and therefore it is essential to define it carefully.

Phytogeographical analysis of vascular flora of Ravni Srem flood forests (Vojvodina, Serbia).

The aim of phytogeographical analysis was to determine the plant species origin, genesis and migrations. The study results contribute to the knowledge of phytogeographical classification of the particular regions. The flora structure and composition was determined based on the effects of different chorions. The aim of the floristic research of flood forests of Ravni Srem was to identify the diversity of flora in the region, i.e., in a wider sense, the diversity of flora in Serbia. The phytogeographical analysis was based on floristic research. The identified plant species were classified into the corresponding floral elements, area groups, and area types. The data on their diversity and the degree of representation in the flora of Ravni Srem flood forests were obtained based on the percentage of each area type. It was concluded that the character of the flora of Ravni Srem flood forests was transitional, mostly Eurasian-Central European.

Asteretum lanceolati - xenospontaneous community on wet and riparian habitat.

Invasive species Aster lanceolatus grows on moist habitats on the whole territory of Serbia. In Belgrade, this species is recorded with a higher degree of presence at a number of localities. With the aim to investigate the community in which this species is dominant, the wide area of Serbia was researched, and 8 lo- calities on the territory of Belgrade were chosen for the analysis of the community. Floristic structure of the community was determined by the standard Braun-Blan- quet method (1964), phytogeographical analysis was performed according to Gajic (1980, 1984), and determination of life forms according to Raunkier (E l l e n b e r g , M u e l l e r- D o m b o i s , 1967). pH soil analysis and electric conductivity (EC) were performed at all investigated localities. It was established that the community dom- inates the moist habitats of Belgrade. It is composed of 104 species and among them Aster lanceolatus Willd., Cichorium intybus L., Agropyrum repens (L.) Beauv., Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br., Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Symphytum officina - le L. and Rumex obtusifolius L. are the most frequent. In relation to life forms, the community has hemicriptophytes character, and in relation to phytogeography Eu- roasian and Middle Europaean floral elements are dominant, with a high presence of cosmopolitan and adventive floral elements. On the locialities Veliko Ratno os - trvo (island) and Makis, EC values point to the fact that the amount of nutrient in the soil is higher than at other localities.

Impact of Invasive Aster lanceolatus Populations on Soil and Flora in Urban Sites

ABSTRACT Invasive plants are one of the major treat to local communities and ecosystems in urban habitats. Aster lanceolatus Willd. is one of the most spreading invasive plant species in Serbia and to examine its impact on soil, flora and aboveground biomass in urban habitats we investigated the pH, electrical conductivity and concentration of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn) in four invaded and four uninvaded plots in urban habitats. We also studied floristic composition and floristic richness regarding these invasive plant populations. These parameters were assessed along transects arranged in the cross shape, running from the centre of the invaded area towards the peripheral uninvaded area. Trace elements were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical differences were analysed using ANOVA and post-hoc LSD-tests. The results showed an important decrease of the number of species and herbaceous cover under A. lanceolatus populations. There were no statistically significant differences between invaded and uninvaded patches when soil pH and electrical conductivity were considered. The concentration of Zn, Mn and Ni in the soil was higher in invaded areas. The content of Zn in aboveground biomass collected from invaded compare to uninvaded areas was higher. This study raises the possibility that invasive species changes soil characteristics and create conditions for their spreading.

Micropropagation of Achillea millefolium L. on half-strength MS medium and direct rooting and acclimatization of microshoots in hydroponic culture.

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of micropropagation of the medicinal plant A. millefolium on half-strength MS medium and ex vitro rooting and acclimatization of the obtained microshoots in hydroculture in order to establish an efficient production method. Two explant types were used: basal and terminal cuttings, and better results were achieved when terminal cuttings were used. The development of shoots in the multiplication phase was successful with a regeneration percentage of 100%. Ex vitro rooting in a modified Hoagland nutrient solution was successful (83%), but the percentage of in vitro rooting on half-strength MS medium without hormones was higher (95%). However, bearing in mind that mass production of A. millefolium is more efficient when the phase of in vitro rooting is excluded, this method could be recommended for commercial propagation of this medicinal plant. It is necessary to conduct additional research in order to optimize the composition, EC and pH value of the hydroponic nutrient solution. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 43007]

Assessing terpene content variability of whitebark pine in order to estimate representative sample size.

In studies of population variability, particular attention has to be paid to the selection of a representative sample. The aim of this study was to assess the size of the new representative sample on the basis of the variability of chemical content of the initial sample on the example of a whitebark pine population. Statistical analysis included the content of 19 characteristics (terpene hydrocarbons and their derivates) of the initial sample of 10 elements (trees). It was determined that the new sample should contain 20 trees so that the mean value calculated from it represents a basic set with a probability higher than 95 %. Determination of the lower limit of the representative sample size that guarantees a satisfactory reliability of generalization proved to be very important in order to achieve cost efficiency of the research. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. OI-173011, br. TR-37002 i br. III-43007]

Tara National Park - Resources, Management and Tourist Perception

Tara National Park (TNP) was proclaimed a protected natural resource area in 1981 by the First Regulation on the National Park (Official Gazette of RS no. 41/81). According to the Regulation on National Parks of Serbia (Official Gazette of RS no. 39/93), a public enterprise, ‘National Park Tara’, was founded, with full responsibility for the management of the park [2]. Tara National Park is situated in west Serbia (Figure 1.), the coordinates, according to Greenwich lie between 43 51′ and 43 57′ north, and 17 03′ and 17 11′ east [3]. The region which includes Tara NP extends over an area of 19175 ha. It contains most of Tara Mountain and the region bordered by the elbow-shaped course of the River Drina, between Visegrad and Bajina Basta, thus belonging to a part of Starovlaske mountains (Starovlaska-Raska Visija highlands) [4].

Climate change impact on wetland forest plants of SNR Zasavica.

Wetlands are among the most vulnerable habitats on the planet. Very complex forest ecosystems are also parts of wetlands. Research and analysis of forest vegetation elements, leads to a conclusion about ecological conditions of wetlands. The aim of the paper is detail forest vegetation study, and analyzing the impact of climate changes on wetland forest vegetations of the strict protection area at the SNR Zasavica Ramsar site. Field research was carried out by using Braun-Blanquet’s Zurich-Montpelier school method. Phytogeographical elements and life forms of plants were determined subsequently, in order to get indicator values of wetland plants. Coupled Regional Climate Model (CRCM), EBU-POM was used for the climate simulations. Exact climatic variables for the site were determined by downscaling method. Climatic variables reference values were taken for the period of 1961-1990, and climate change simulations for the period 2071-2100 (A1B and A2). Indicator values of forest plants taken into consideration were humidity and temperature; therefore, ecological optimums were determined in scales of humidity and temperature. Regional Climate Model shows that there will be a long and intensive dry period in the future, with high temperatures from April till October. Continental winter will be more humid, with higher precipitation, especially in February. Based on the analysis of results it was concluded that wetlands are transitional habitats, also very variable and therefore vulnerable to changes. The changes may lead to the extinction of some plant species.