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Forest productive attributes changes over time in native forests has been recognized as crucial challenge for management of uneven aged mixed forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina since middle of the last century. Experimental study has been carried out on set of experimental plots established in mixed stands on mountain Igman in central Bosnia. The most important forest productivity attributes changes based on repeated measures have been monitored over time. The aim of this research was to conduct the post-hoc power analysis for monitored forest attributes: basal area per ha (BA), growing stock per ha (GS) and current annual increment per ha (CAIv). Here are used repeated measures conduced on the 10 experimental plots in two types of mixed stands: fir-spruce and fir-spruce-beech plots (five plots per each type) measured in five (BA and GS) and four (CAIv) occasions in periods between 10-20 years. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) within and within-between repeated measures were applied and power analysis was performed. ANOVA within forest type over time showed highly significant differences for all attributes (α = 0.05, p < 0.001). Here, power analysis for comparison of stand attributes resulted in observed high power values ranged from 82% to 99% (very low risk of Type II errors). Then, ANOVA between two forest types over time showed different significances for forest attributes (α = 0.05, pBA = 0.25, pGS = 0.23 and pCAIv = 0.02). The risks of Type II errors were high for BA and GS (from 66% to 72%) while conclusions for CAIv could be accepted with very low risk (4%). So, the post-hoc power analysis of comparisons of stand attributes between forests types found low power for BA (28%) and GS (34%) and high power for CAIv (96%). These findings confirm importance of proper forest species composition planning in mixed stands related to highest wood productivity and other forest characteristics as biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina present rich sites of various non-wood forest products. In the concept of sustainable use of forest resources and assurance the economic, environmental and social effects, non-wood forest products have great importance, especially in the strategic commitments of rural development. However, information on the potentials of non-wood forest products in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very scant, whereas institutional and procedural framework relevant to this sector is underdeveloped. In this paper value chain analysis of non-wood forest products in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been carried out in order to identify the participants in the value chain, their mutual relations, and the analysis of organizational and institutional issues that affect the economic aspects of certain stages of the value chain. Survey method was used for primary data collection in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the relevant information from participants in the chain of non-wood forest products has been obtained. The study included a sample of 156 collectors, who had continuity in the collection and delivery, and 18 companies engaged in purchasing, processing and distribution, which have agreed to participate in the research. For data processing and interpretation of the results classical methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and comparison, and statistical methods of trend analysis were used. Technique of SWOT analysis was used in order to identify the positive and negative factors, as the basis for defining the strategic direction of non-wood forest products sector development. The obtained results indicate on the presence of numerous problems in the value chain. The share of individual groups of non-wood forest products in the analyzed period is: 50% of berries, 40% of medicinal and aromatic plants and 10% of mushrooms. The average annual growth rate of purchased and processed amounts of medicinal and aromatic plants was 17%, 28% of forest berries, and 34% of mushrooms. Approximately 93% of these products are distributed in the international market, whereas achieved prices are twice as high as compared to the domestic market. Sales trend has been increasing both in the domestic and foreign markets. The average annual growth rate of sales in the domestic market for mushrooms is 120%, for forest berries 85%, and for medicinal and aromatic plants 64%. The average annual growth rate of sales in foreign markets is 15% for medicinal and aromatic plants, 26% for berries and 33% for mushrooms. The most important foreign markets are Germany, Italy and Austria, and also the United States and Canada for essential oils. The research results show that it is necessary to take certain measures on improvement the institutional and procedural framework relevant for the sector of non-wood forest products, for purpose of its affirmation and contribution to overall national economy. Observed in a broader socio-economic context, it can significantly affect the definition of the forest policy objectives, multifunctional use and determining the strategic direction of sustainable forestry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, mixed mountain forests, primarily comprised of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), cover about 10 × 106 ha at elevations between ∼600 and 1600 m a.s.l. These forests provide invaluable ecosystem services. However, the growth of these forests and the competition among their main species are expected to be strongly affected by climate warming. In this study, we analyzed the growth development of spruce, fir, and beech in moist mixed mountain forests in Europe over the last 300 years. Based on tree-ring analyses on long-term observational plots, we found for all three species (i) a nondecelerating, linear diameter growth trend spanning more than 300 years; (ii) increased growth levels and trends, the latter being particularly pronounced for fir and beech; and (iii) an elevation-dependent change of fir and beech growth. Whereas in the past, the growth was highest at lower elevations, today's growth is superior at higher elevations. This spatiotemporal pattern indicates significant changes in the growth and interspecific competition at the expense of spruce in mixed mountain forests. We discuss possible causes, consequences, and silvicultural implications of these distinct growth changes in mixed mountain forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]