This study sets out comparative indicators of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, based on an evaluation of the attack power of bark beetles Ips typographus L. and Pityogenes chalcographus L. and the decline of spruce within the populations sampled for genetic analysis. Twelve natural forest stands and one plantation were analyzed. The average numbers of desiccated Norway spruces per stand and isoenzyme gene markers were used for comparison purposes. The results indicate that the Norway spruce population from Mt Vlasic deviates markedly from the other sampled populations, both in genetic structure and in the recorded numbers of insects, as well as in the number of desiccated trees. These results suggest the importance of using only indigenous Norway spruce reproductive material in artificial forest regeneration to ensure its higher adaptability potential. It is also necessary to develop a dynamic management system for Norway spruce in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will ensure the systemic stability of forest structures. Further development of the systematic monitoring system of Norway spruce bark beetles, early detection, and the introduction of effective integral protective measures are badly needed.

Every ecosystem is a complex organization of carefully mixed life forms; a dynamic and particularly sensible system. Consequently, their progressive decline may accelerate climate change and vice versa, influencing flora and fauna composition and distribution, resulting in the loss of biodiversity. Climate changes effects are the principal topics of this volume. Written by internationally renowned contributors, Biodiversity loss in a changing planet offers attractive study cases focused on biodiversity evaluations and provisions in several different ecosystems, analysing the current life condition of many life forms, and covering very different biogeographic zones of the planet.

This paper analyzes the health status of trees in the avenues of the city of Sarajevo. Special attention is paid to abiotic harmful influences, snow precipitation and mechanical damage of trees, as the initial factors of destabilization of their health status. Sarajevo area is characterized by a moderate continental climate occurring as a result of the influence of central European climate from the north and the Mediterranean climate from the south and of the variety of the terrain. This type of climate is characterized by hot summers and relatively cold winters. Because of severe thermal influence of the Adriatic Sea autumn is warmer than spring. Distribution of precipitation in Sarajevo is characterized by summer (primary) and autumn (secondary) peaks. Specific weather conditions in this area, in some years, result in early or late snowfall the consequences of which are damages of vegetation cover. The results of this research confirmed significant damages of the trees resulted from the adverse effects of snow in October 2009 (branches fractures, split of the stem and fracture of tree crowns). The resulting injuries are suitable openings for the penetration of rot causing microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and colonization of insects which is why we can expect further deterioration in the health status of trees in the future. The paper suggests activities the implementation of which can reduce these harmful effects of biotic factors.

Biodiversity conservation has drawn considerable attention as to where the funding is available in order for governments concerned with the conservation of biodiversity to fulfil their obligations. This paper examines if financing resources provided through Global Environmental Facility (GEF) in Bosnia Herzegovina could be supplemented with locally voluntary provided funding to lead to an appropriate protection level of threatened species. A study was conducted on a 1189 persons sample to establish the local population willingness to contribute to GEF sponsored biodiversity conservation projects. It was found that the local people are willing to contribute positively higher than the actual spending of the GEF and findings can be used to argue for more attention to preferences of the public in decision making on biodiversity protection activity and spending in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Virgin forests are relatively rare in the European temperate zone. This is due to the continuous use of forest historically and to increasing high population densities. Virgin forests are forest where the structure and dynamics have developed entirely under natural conditions, without any human interference or influence. This article assesses the Pljesevica forest in Bosnia Herzegovina to establish whether it can be classified as virgin forest. The structure and components of the forest were assessed in a 1 ha sample plot and four 400m2 quadrats. The values of the biodiversity indexes (as defined by Shannon and Weaver, Krebs and Meyer), species richness and evenness, the distribution of the different stand development stages and the proportion of dead wood lead to the conclusion that Pljesevica forest presents a set of structural and dynamic characteristics close to the ones typical for virgin forests in Europe, so in order to maintain its status as such, in the meantime it should undergo a protection management programme.

Obi~na jela (Abies alba) u Bosni i Hercegovini je, s aspekta zdravstvenog stanja, trenutno najugro`enija od bijele imele (Viscum album ssp. abietis). Gotovo da i nema sastojina obi~ne jele koje ne trpe od ovog poluparazita. U ovom radu pra}en je utjecaj ove cvjetnice na smanjenje prirasta i vitalnosti obi~ne jele preko biomase dvogodi{njih iglica. Rezultati pokazuju postojanje statisti~ki zna~ajnih razlika u biomasi iglica obi~ne jele sa grana na kojima se nalaze grmi}i imele u odnosu na one na kojima oni nisu prisutni. Jaka zara`enost stabala obi~ne jele rezultira smanjenim vitalitetom nakon ~ega ona postaju podlo`na napadu sekundarnih {tetnika.

The paper analyses the presence of rhizomorph fungi of the genus Armillaria in two forest ecosystems: the managed forest and the virgin forest of the mountain complex Bjelašnica – Igman. The objects of the study belong to the forests of Common beech and Silver Fir with Norway spruce which are dominantly represented in the overall forest resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objectives of the study were: (1) to establish the intensity of the presence of rhizomorph of Armillaria spp. in the soil of the researched forest ecosystems, (2) the analysis of significance of the presence of these structures to the health status in the forest and (3) analysis of the influence of the management measures to their incidence. The presence of underground rhizomorph fungi was determined at cross correlations of the square network of spacing of 75 m x 75 m, in three cylindrical soil samples of Ø 15 cm, and 15 cm depth. In addition to the presence of the rhizomorphs, at cross correlations – at standing points, we observed the health status of the trees and bushes and the character of the forest management measures. The results of the research give the insight into the presence of rhizomorphs in the soil of the studied objects and allow considering the significance of micro-stands for the trees vigor and the growth of these structures, which is significant in planning and realization of the management measures in generic eco-systems.