1. Managing invasive alien species in forest corridors and stepping stonesGiuseppe Brundu, Maarten De Groot, Sabrina Kumschick, Jan Pergl, Katharina Lapin, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a signiicant threat to forest ecosystems by disrupting ecological networks and competing with native species. Forest habitat patches and corridors designed to enhance connectivity and biodiversity can unintentionally promote the dispersal of IAS, further compromising the ecological integrity of the forest ecosystem. This chapter discusses two main aspects related to IAS and forest connectivity: (1) the spread of IAS in the landscape and their impacts on native species and (2) the consequences of IAS on forest connectivity. Effective management of IAS is crucial to improve connectivity for native species while restricting the spread opportunity for aliens and preserve biodiversity. Ideally, a site-speciic risk analysis should precede conservation or restoration efforts, determining the potential impact of IAS on the respective habitat patch’s structural and functional connectivity, and vice versa. Furthermore, this chapter explores management strategies to control IAS, including physical removal, biological control, and monitoring. Citizen involvement and remote sensing play vital roles in supporting management actions, IAS detection and long-term monitoring, and habitat connectivity. Including stakeholders such as forest owners and managers in such actions ensures a collaborative approach to safeguarding forest ecosystems from the threats posed by IAS. Keywords: forest health, invasive alien species Published in DiRROS: 09.06.2025; Views: 99; Downloads: 39
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2. Managing forest health in connected landscapesGernot Hoch, Katharina Lapin, Maarten De Groot, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Managing forest health is a critical challenge for forest managers and policymakers worldwide, especially in connected forests where ecological and socio-economic linkages are tightly intertwined. Conservation and sustainable management of forest ecosystems require the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies that address the complex interactions between natural and human-driven stressors affecting forest health. In this chapter, we review the main drivers of forest health degradation and provide an overview of the approaches and tools that can be used to monitor and manage forest health. We highlight the importance of integrating practical knowledge with scientific information to enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems to global environmental changes. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with managing forest health in connected forest landscapes, and we suggest possible strategies to improve forest health management. Keywords: forest health, forest landscapes Published in DiRROS: 09.06.2025; Views: 100; Downloads: 38
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3. Tubakia spp., Didymella macrostoma and Apiognomonia errabunda causing leaf spot and anthracnose of Quercus robur in the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere ReserveMilica Zlatković, Marcus Sallmannshofer, Silvio Schueler, Thomas L. Cech, Milutin Djilas, Gernot Hoch, Katharina Lapin, Nikica Ogris, Barbara Piškur, Katharina Schwanda, Srđan Stojnić, Marjana Westergren, Saša Orlović, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The Mura-Drava-Danube transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve represents one of the best-preserved wetlands in Europe. The Reserve’s riparian forests play a significant role in ecosystem functioning and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is one of the keystone species of these forests. In recent years, pedunculate oak trees in the Reserve displayed symptoms of necrotic lesions on their leaves. The lesions varied in size, from small, circular to irregular reddish brown to grayish spots to larger necrotic areas that resembled leaf anthracnose and extended along the leaf nerves. In 2021, symptomatic leaves were collected in three countries of the Reserve, i.e. Austria, Slovenia, and Serbia to identify the causative agents of these diseases. Fungal cultures were obtained from symptoms and identified using morphology and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS rDNA, partial LSU rDNA, tef 1-α, BT2, CAL, ACT, and RPB2 genes. The fungi were identified as Tubakia dryina, Tubakia sp. (Tubakia dryinoides sensu lato), Didymella macrostoma, and Apiognomonia errabunda. Pathogenicity tests done by inoculating the leaves of one-year old pedunculate oak plants revealed that the isolated fungi caused symptoms as those seen in the forest. To our knowledge, this study represents the first report of D. macrostoma as the cause of pedunculate oak leaf spot disease in Serbia and worldwide. It is also the first finding of Tubakia leaf spot disease of pedunculate oak caused by T. dryina in Austria and Serbia. Moreover, Tubakia sp. was proven to be another causative agent of Tubakia leaf spot disease. Additionally, oak anthracnose caused by A. errabunda was found for the first time on pedunculate oak leaves in Austria and Slovenia. During the past decade, pedunculate oak trees have been facing increasing threats from multiple abiotic and biotic factors which has resulted in decline and absence of natural regeneration of these trees. The results of this study add to the understanding of the contributing factors to the decline of pedunculate oak in riparian forests and are important for the development of management strategies to counteract this decline. Keywords: Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, riparian forests, Tubakia leaf spot, Didymella macrostoma, oak anthracnose, pedunculate oak, leaf spot diseases Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2024; Views: 823; Downloads: 439
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4. Transnational strategy on the sustainable management and responsible use of non-native trees in the Alpine SpaceKatharina Lapin, Anja M. Bindewald, Giuseppe Brundu, Aleksander Marinšek, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Janine Oettel, Janine Oettel, Konrad Heino, Nicola La Porta, Ajša Alagić, 2023, review article Abstract: Non-native tree species – defined as those species intentionally or unintentionally introduced by humans – have long been a part of the Alpine Space, providing numerous benefits, but also posing a potential threat to native biodiversity and related ecosystem services. Compared to the urban space where non-native trees comprise most tree species, the number of non-native trees in forests and plantations is relatively low. To evaluate potential risks and benefits of non-native trees in the Alpine Space, a transnational strategy for the responsible use and management of non-native trees is needed. The goals of the strategy are to tailor management practices for a sustainable and responsible use or admixture of non-native trees, to reduce the risks connected with the invasive potential of some non-native tree species, to help forests and urban areas to adapt to climate change, and to improve coordination and cooperation regarding best practices between different regions of the Alpine Space. A proposal was developed in a four-step process including expert-based assessment, stakeholder mapping, an extensive data review, and a public consultation. For implementing the strategy fully, strong collaboration among diverse stakeholders is anticipated and robust governance and an adequate long-term and fair funding scheme is needed. Keywords: adaptive forest management, non-native tree species, Alpine Space, biosecurity, green infrastructure Published in DiRROS: 19.01.2024; Views: 853; Downloads: 535
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5. Forest managers’ perspectives on environmental changes in the biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-DanubeMarcus Sallmannshofer, Rok Damjanić, Harald Vacik, Marjana Westergren, Tjaša Baloh, Gregor Božič, Mladen Ivanković, Gyula Kovács, Miran Lanšćak, Katharina Lapin, Laszlo Nagy, Silvija Krajter Ostoić, Saša Orlović, Srđan Stojnić, Peter Železnik, Milica Zlatković, Silvio Schueler, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Riparian forests are particularly vulnerable to environmental change and anthropogenic influences because they are highly dynamic ecosystems, thus proper adaptation measures are crucial. The implementation of these measures, however, strongly depends on the actors’ perceptions of the specific problems occurring in such forests. For understanding the constraints of specific interest groups toward different adaptation activities, information in this field is essential. By conducting a questionnaire survey we explore how different types of forest managers, i.e., forestry professionals, forest owners, and conservation managers, perceive the effects of environmental change on forest management in the recently established Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube. We show that these forest managers are highly aware of ongoing environmental changes and appraise deteriorating forest conditions, especially after observing changes themselves. Abiotic damage is expected to increase the most, followed by biotic damage, the spread of non-native species, and tree dieback. Nearly 80% of the survey respondents expect further changes and almost all of them intend to adapt their management of forests to mitigate or prepare for these changes. Nevertheless, we show differences in sensitivity to change and willingness to initiate adaptation actions by assessing adaptation thresholds: conservation managers appear generally more tolerant to changes, which results in higher thresholds to initiate management adaptation than forestry professionals Keywords: biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, forest management, sensitivity to environmental change, stakeholder perception, adaptation thresholds, riparian forest tree species Published in DiRROS: 31.05.2023; Views: 1227; Downloads: 826
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6. Gospodarjenje s tujerodnimi drevesnimi vrstami v urbanem prostoru alpskega prostoraAjša Alagić, Aleksander Marinšek, Ana Dolenc, Andrey Krasovskiy, Anica Simčič, Anja M. Bindewald, Anja Müller-Meißner, Bénédicte Baxerres, Claudia Cocozza, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Simon Zidar, Tina Trampuš, Živa Bobič Červek, 2022, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: tujerodne drevesne vrste, Alpe, invazivne drevesne vrste, gospodarjenje z gozdovi, podnebne spremembe, urbani prostor Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2022; Views: 2127; Downloads: 555
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7. Handbook for non native tree species in the urban spaceAjša Alagić, Aleksander Marinšek, Ana Dolenc, Andrey Krasovskiy, Anica Simčič, Anja M. Bindewald, Anja Müller-Meißner, Bénédicte Baxerres, Claudia Cocozza, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Simon Zidar, Tina Trampuš, Živa Bobič Červek, 2022, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: non-native tree species, Alps, invasive alien species, forest management, urbanspace, climate changes Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2022; Views: 1347; Downloads: 449
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8. Gospodarjenje s tujerodnimi drevesnimi vrstami v gozdovih alpskega prostoraSonia Abluton, Ajša Alagić, Bénédicte Baxerres, Frédéric Berger, Anja M. Bindewald, Sylvain Bouquet, Martin Braun, Giuseppe Brundu, Patricia Detry, Freya-Isabel Georges, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Aleksander Marinšek, Anica Simčič, Simon Zidar, 2022, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: tujerodne drevesne vrste, Alpe, invazivne drevesne vrste, gospodarjenje z gozdovi, podnebne spremembe Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2022; Views: 2113; Downloads: 448
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9. Management of non-native tree species in forests of the Alpine spaceSonia Abluton, Ajša Alagić, Bénédicte Baxerres, Frédéric Berger, Anja M. Bindewald, Sylvain Bouquet, Martin Braun, Giuseppe Brundu, Patricia Detry, Freya-Isabel Georges, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Aleksander Marinšek, Anica Simčič, Simon Zidar, 2022, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: non-native tree species, Alps, invasive alien species, forest management, climate changes Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2022; Views: 1308; Downloads: 451
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10. Priročnik za prepoznavanje tujerodnih drevesnih vrst v alpskem prostoruAjša Alagić, Bénédicte Baxerres, Frédéric Berger, Anja M. Bindewald, Sylvain Bouquet, Giuseppe Brundu, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Patricia Detry, Freya-Isabel Georges, Quentin Guillory, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Katharina Lapin, Aleksander Marinšek, Eric Mermin, Anja Müller-Meißner, Janine Oettel, Anica Simčič, Simon Zidar, 2022, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: tujerodne drevesne vrste, Alpe, invazivne drevesne vrste Published in DiRROS: 12.08.2022; Views: 2359; Downloads: 743
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