AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY focuses on research addressing sustainable management and conservation in agricultural and forested landscapes. The section emphasizes reducing risks associated with land abandonment, desertification, and biodiversity loss, while preserving the natural and cultural values of forests and farmland. Research should address farmed and forest landscapes, focusing on protecting forests of high conservation value, restoring degraded lands, preserving soil organic matter, and sustaining the carbon sink function of forests and soils in the context of climate mitigation. Contributions on agrobiodiversity, particularly local crop varieties, tree species, and farm animal breeds – are highly encouraged. The section also welcomes research providing scientifically justified and environmentally sound solutions for improving resource management in agriculture and forestry, balancing productivity with conservation. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches that integrate ecological, agronomic, and forestry knowledge to support sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and society.
7th Congress of Ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia
Plenary Speaker: Dr. Jovana Devetaković
Dr. Jovana Devetaković is an Associate Professor at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Forestry. Her research focuses on forest reproductive material, artificial forest regeneration, afforestation, and oak species ecophysiology. Her work directly contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of climate-resilient forest ecosystems.
Lecture title: Drought Vulnerability of Four Oak Species in Their First Year of Life: Implications for Regeneration
Jovana Devetaković, Ivona Kerkez Janković, Janko Ljubičić, Ljubica Mijatović, Branko Kanjevac
This research investigates how young oak seedlings cope with drought during their first year of life. Seedlings after germination and establishment are in the one of most vulnerable stage for their survival. Survival and healthy regeneration is essential for the future of oak forests, and climate change is making this process increasingly difficult.
Four native oak species from the Balkans were compared and found that they do not all respond to drought in the same way. Some species are surprisingly resistant, while others are much more vulnerable. Understanding these differences can help foresters choose the right oak species and apply management practices that improve the chances of successful forest regeneration. This research connects plant physiology with real-world forest conservation.
By learning how young trees respond to extreme weather, we can make better decisions today to help oak forests remain healthy and resilient in a changing climate.
