Invasive species represent a serious ecological problem of today, and due to the modest needs for environmental conditions and the abundant production of nectar and pollen, they are an important factor endangering the indigenous honey flora. Given that there are 100 honey plants in Europe that are the basis for the production of monofloral species of honey, it is of special interest to preserve the diversity of the indigenous apiflora of Bosnia and Herzegovina.For the purposes of this research, 100 melissopalynological profiles of honey from different botanical and ecological regions were analyzed. The analysis of palynological profiles of the collected samples determined the presence and based on micromorphological elements, invasive species were identified in the honey we consume.

During field research in the period from 2017-2022. in the broader area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, new data on the distribution of alien (non-native, neophyte) plant species were established. This work, concerns new findings on the distribution of following alien plant species: Datura wrightii Regel, Mirabilis jalapa L., i Potentilla indica (Jacks.) Th. Wolf. i Rudbeckia triloba L.. 

Pueraria, or kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep) is a dangerous invasive foreign species of the legume family (Fabaceae). It inhabits neglected, open, bright habitats of urban areas (neglected field land, railways, etc.) and forest edges. In many countries, it is characterized as a dangerous invasive species. Due to the great danger of endangering autochthonous diversity, the goal was to create a model of predictive distribution with regard to environmental factors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Distribution data was taken from available literature sources, as well as our own field research. The model is made on the basis of climate substrates in the form of raster layers taken from the WorldClim database that are aligned to the same, resolution, size and coordinate reference system at a resolution of about 1x1 km. In addition to the climate variables, 20 m DEM and CLC 2018 data in the form of raster layers were also used. The obtained results indicate that the distribution of the given species in the area of the Neretva river basin, and the possibility of its expansion, is why it is necessary to implement adequate preventive measures. The variable Bio_9 (Medium temperature of the driest quarter) has statistically significantly the greatest impact on the habitat suitability of a given species.

As part of the research, 100 samples of different types of honey from Bosnia and Herzegovina were collected and analyzed. Melisopalynological preparations were prepared in accordance with the Rulebook on methods for the control of honey and other bee products of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in accordance with ICBB propositions. Plant species identification was performed based on micromorphological elements of pollen grains, and qualitative-quantitative analysis of honey samples was conducted. Melisopalynological analysis identified 47 distinct pollen types among a total of 30,000 pollen grains counted. In botanical terms, pollen from 24 plant families was recognized, among which the Fabaceae family had the greatest melissopalynological significance, whose pollen grains were found in as many as 86% of the analyzed profiles. Pollen grains of the Fabaceae family were identified as dominant in 22%, as accessory in 40%, as important in 21% and as minor in 3% of the palynological profiles. Based on micromorphological characters in melissopalynological spectra, species/genera from the Fabaceae family were identified: Robinia pseudoacacia L., Lotus corniculatus L., Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium repens L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Lathyrus sp., Medicago sativa L. and Onobrychis sp.

Abstract As part of the research, 50 polyfloral honey samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) were collected and analyzed. The study aimed to determine the botanical specificity and degree of diversity of polyfloral honey originating from B&H. Melisopalynological preparations were prepared and interpreted by the Regulation on Methods for the Control of Honey and Other Bee Products of Bosnia and Herzegovina and methods proposed by the ICBB. Melissopalynological analysis revealed 15,000 pollen grains from 50 polyfloral honey samples and from 24 plant families. The most prominent number of pollen grains was from Fabaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae. Through the analysis of micromorphological characteristics, 51 different pollen types were identified. The Shannon-Weaver (H) index value of the analyzed samples were from 1.65 to 2.72, while the Shannon uniformity index (J’) was from 0.7 to 1. Each analyzed palynological profile represents a unique combination of pollen from honey plants and reflects the floristic diversity of the apiflora in B&H.

Bedding begonias ( Begonia cucullata Hort.) are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal. Boasting beautiful leaves and lively, colourful flowers, these plants can significantly enhance any garden space. They also have the capacity to produce a large biomass, suggesting their suitability for phytoextraction purposes. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bedding begonia in removing Cr, Pb, and Cd from artificially polluted substrates, with concentrations varying from 100 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg for Cr and Pb, and from 20 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg for Cd. The phytoextraction potential was estimated using bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation (TF) factors analysis. The current study demonstrated that bedding begonia can successfully grow in substrates enriched with Cr, Pb, and Cd. BAF values < 1 for both Cr and Pb were detected regardless of contamination levels, indicating that this species has limited capacity to restore soils contaminated with these metals. On the other hand, BAF and TF values for Cd were greater than 1 at all contamination levels, implying their potential to remove Cd from polluted soils.

In this study, a greenhouse experiment was carried out from April to July 2024 to assess the effectiveness of four ornamental plants in removing heavy metals from the polluted soil surrounding the Zenica steel mill in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The selected ornamental plants - blue mink (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.), marigold (Tagetes erecta L.), impatiens (Impatiens walleriana Hook. f.), and begonia (Begonia semperflorens - Cultorum Group) - demonstrated potential for addressing soil contamination. These plants were cultivated in grow bags filled with soil collected from different areas surrounding the Zenica steel mill. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Fe) in both soil and plant samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The findings of this study reveal that soils adjacent to the Zenica steel mill are heavilycontaminated with Zn, Cd, and Pb and also contain notable levels of Mn and Fe. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) were calculated to determine the potential of the selected ornamental plants to uptake and transport heavy metals from the soil to its aboveground parts. The BAF values for all heavy metals in all studied plant species were consistently below 1, indicating a limited capacity to remove heavy metals from the soil. This limited effectiveness can be attributed, among other factors, to the high pH levels of the tested soils. Despite the limitation, the findings revealed a significant difference in the plants’ capacity to uptake and accumulate heavy metal ions from the examined soils. Among the tested plants, blue mink demonstrated the highest ability to absorb Cu, Pb, Cr and Fe, while the highest concentrations of Zn and Cd were found in begonia

Abstract The photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant properties, and heavy metal content in Reseda lutea, Epilobium dodonaei, and Gentianella ciliata were examined in response to stress in the open pit of an abandoned iron mine. The soils were shallow, alkaline, and severely deficient in phosphorus, potassium, and humus. Heavy metal concentrations in the rhizospheres followed the order Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd for all three species, with Cu, Zn, and Pb exceeding the limits established by Bosnian legislation. The results indicated that the bioelements Cu, Zn, and Mn were within permissible limits set by FAO/WHO. Epilobium dodonaei acted as a Cd accumulator. The highest content of photosynthetic pigments was observed in this species. Positive correlations were detected between Cr and total phenolics, Cr and total flavonoids in E. dodonaei, Pb and total phenolic acids in G. ciliata. Negative correlations were noted between Zn and total phenolic acids in R. lutea, and Fe and total phenolics in E. dodonaei. Increased total proline and DPPH concentrations were associated with heightened Fe levels in E. dodonaei. These findings suggest that the species analyzed employ distinct defense mechanisms, enabling them to effectively adapt to stress. NOVELTY STATEMENT Three abundant plant species with different responses to the stress conditions of the abandoned iron mine were the focus. The analyzed biochemical-physiological parameters for all studied species on alkaline soils and, in general, for Gentianella ciliata are presented for the first time.