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Wildlife damage to forests has become an increasingly serious problem in recent years, and its impact is exacerbated by ongoing climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, uneven precipitation distribution, and other factors affect forest ecosystems, which, in turn, affect cloven-hoofed animal populations, their food preferences, and ultimately, the extent of damage they cause. Based on 133 references, this review article focuses on the relationships between wildlife damage and climate change and presents possible strategies to address this issue in the Czech Republic. Wildlife damage includes not just browsing and fraying in natural and artificial regeneration but also damage to trees from bark stripping and the lesser-known rooting of seedlings. Concerning tree species, browsing is most damaging to silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.). The enticement to wildlife increases as the proportion of the tree species in the stand decreases. Browse damage is more severe at the edge of the stand. Bark stripping and secondary rot cause the most damage to the production quality of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Total wildlife damage increases with elevation. Combined with the progress of climate change, game-induced damage significantly restricts close-to-nature forest management practices and limits the use of adaptive measures in response to climate change. In addition, mixed forests with species that attract wildlife and the rapid increase in the number of clearings following bark beetle salvage logging significantly increase game pressure. This is primarily the result of the overpopulation of native and introduced game species and the considerable inconsistency between forest and hunting management practices, with the latter not respecting the principle of ecologically tolerable game damage.

On the one hand, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is the tree of the future due to ongoing climate changes, on the other hand, there are questions about its expansion and economic use as a replacement for the declining Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). This literature review examines 140 studies summarizing basic research on beech in the context of climate change. As a climax tree species, beech is becoming dominant again in parts of its original range at the middle and higher altitudes of Central Europe, following spruce. It is a shade-loving species that can thrive in various types of mixed forest stands. To cultivate beech, close-to-nature methods, shelterwood, or selection management are optimal. The occurrence of the beech seed year is influenced by factors such as precipitation, temperature, drought, and air pollution. Although beech is generally considered resistant to abiotic and biotic factors, it often needs protection against hoofed game browsing in the earliest stages of development. As climate change progresses, it is essential to cultivate beech in areas rich in precipitation and nutrients where it can thrive even under more extreme conditions. In optimal conditions, beech has shown intensive regeneration in recent years, aggressively displacing other tree species. However, with insufficient precipitation and prolonged periods of drought, beech loses its vigor, production, and ability to compete. For adaptation to climate change, it is recommended to select appropriate beech provenance, promote natural regeneration, and cultivate structurally differentiated stands through positive-selection thinning from above.

Introduced tree species have become increasingly important in the context of the ongoing climate change. This paper focuses on the dendrochronology of the most widespread introduced tree species in the British Isles – Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr.) – in comparable soil conditions in England, Czechia, and Slovakia. The research aims to evaluate the growth dynamics and the influence of climatic factors on this tree species while comparing it with economically main tree species in Europe – Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Based on the analysis of 150 increment cores, the radial growth of Sitka spruce was on average 24.2% higher than that of Norway spruce. The highest increments in 52 to 62-year-old stands were achieved in England by both Sitka spruce (8.7 mm) and Norway spruce (7.0 mm). In terms of negative pointer years (NPYs), there was no difference in the number of years with a significantly low increment between the two species at any site. The lowest effect of climatic factors on growth was found in Czechia, while the highest was in England. Higher resistance to climate was found for Sitka compared to Norway spruce. In general, the main limiting factor for the growth was the lack of precipitation in the previous year’s vegetation season, or heavy frost in England. In Central Europe, due to low precipitation, Sitka spruce will not be a substantial introduced tree species in the future, but on suitable sites, it can achieve high production potential and play a significant role for increasing stand diversity in the face of climate change.

Black alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.) is an important component of riparian and wetland ecosystems in Europe. However, data on the growth of this significant broadleaved tree species is very limited. Presently, black alder currently suffers from the pathogen Phytophthora and is particularly threatened by climate change. The objective of this study was to focus on the impact of climatic variables (precipitation, temperature, extreme climatic events) on the radial growth of alder across its geographic range during the period 1975–2015. The study of alder stands aged 46–108 years was conducted on 24 research plots in a wide altitude range (85–1015 m) in 12 countries of Europe and Asia. The most significant months affecting alder radial growth were February and March, where air temperatures are more significant than precipitation. Heavy frost and extreme weather fluctuations in the first quarter of the year were the main limiting factors for diameter increment. Within the geographical setting, latitude had a higher effect on radial growth compared to longitude. However, the most important variable concerning growth parameters was altitude. The temperature’s effect on the increment was negative in the lowlands and yet turned to positive with increasing altitude. Moreover, growth sensitivity to precipitation significantly decreased with the increasing age of alder stands. In conclusion, the growth variability of alder and the number of negative pointer years increased with time, which was caused by the ongoing climate change and also a possible drop in the groundwater level. Riparian alder stands well supplied with water are better adapted to climatic extremes compared to plateau and marshy sites.

The long-term decline of the black grouse population throughout Europe is influenced by many factors that affect populations differently depending on the distribution range, from Central Europe to the Scandinavian countries. Therefore, we analyzed available literature sources to describe the main reasons for the population decline of this species and to suggest conservation measures. In total, 228 pieces of literature from 1955 to 2024 were analyzed for this study. Based on the literature analysis, it is clear that the drivers of population decline differ across the distributional range. In Central Europe, where the population is declining rapidly, habitat loss and forest fragmentation are crucial factors, as is the negative impact of tourism. In Scandinavia, where the population is gradually declining, decreasing breeding success and increasing chick mortality rates are generally considered the main negative factors. However, these factors also affect black grouse populations in Central Europe. It is crucial to acknowledge that a significant proportion of the contributing factors, such as predation and habitat loss, can be attributed to human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize that environmental protection should work hand in hand with wildlife managers to improve the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In Central Europe, one of the main issues in wildlife management at present is its increasing abundance. As population density increases, diseases that directly or indirectly affect humans are also becoming more prevalent. Although fibropapillomatosis is one of the diseases that does not threaten humans, the accumulation of some heavy metals in tumours has been shown to occur at concentrations that would already be toxic to humans and wildlife. In general, the heavy metal content in wild animal tissues is a partly known topic that was studied on muscle or internal organs but is almost unstudied in tumours. Therefore, we evaluated the content of selected heavy metals in roe deer—the most widespread wildlife species across Europe. If the accumulation of these heavy metals in the tumours also affects the muscle of the individual, which is then intended for consumption by the final consumer, such meat could be considered a health hazard. This pilot study is a cornerstone for further research to clarify the safety or otherwise of meat from wild game affected by fibropapillomatosis. In recent decades, there has been an increase in European wild ungulate populations, often associated with a decline in health and spread of disease. This is true for the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the most common European cervid, with populations apparently affected by fibropapillomatosis, an increasingly common cancer. To date, however, there has been little research into this disease, thus many interactions remain unclear and descriptions of tumour composition are poorly validated. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence and concentration of toxic heavy metals in roe deer skin tumours. Our results confirmed the presence of virtually all the metals tested for, i.e., Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Cr, Mn, Al, Co, Cu, Ni, Se, Zn, and Fe, with the highest average concentrations found for Cr (0.99 mg/kg−1 ± 2.23 SD), Cd (0.03 mg/kg−1 ± 0.03 SD), and Hg (0.02 mg/kg−1 ± 0.02 SD), exceeding FAO limits for meat from slaughtered animals. We also observed a significant positive relationship between heavy metal concentration and age, especially for Pb, As, Hg, Mn, Se, Al, Zn, and Ni. Our findings provide a strong baseline for further research on the impact of fibropapillomatosis, not only on the welfare and health status of game but also on the final consumer of venison, which in many respects is regarded as a high-quality, ecological, and renewable wild resource. While deer with this disease are not considered qualitatively or medically defective, they could represent a potential reservoir of substances toxic to humans and could affect substance levels in adjacent tissues or the animal as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wildlife in human-dominated landscapes often faces a range of disturbances that can alter their natural behaviors. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing across Europe, raising concerns about ecological impacts and the spread of diseases such as African swine fever (ASF). This research focuses on the behavioral adaptations of wild boars in response to specific human disturbances. Utilizing advanced biologging technologies, specifically accelerometer and magnetometer combined with dead reckoning methods, fifteen wild boars in a suburban forest near Prague were monitored over a period from February 2020 to July 2021. This study provides insights into the wild boar's resilience, revealing that while the animals are inclined to flee when near disturbances, they predominantly remain in a resting state otherwise. Their most common reaction was to continue resting. These observations underscore the potential role of disturbance management in controlling the spread of zoonotic diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) within wild boar populations. Currently, African swine fever (ASF), a highly fatal disease has become pervasive, with outbreaks recorded across European countries, leading to preventative measures to restrict wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) movement, and, therefore, keep ASF from spreading. This study aims to detail how specific human activities—defined as "car", "dog", "chainsaw", and "tourism"—affect wild boar behavior, considering the disturbance proximity, and evaluate possible implications for wild boar management in ASF-affected areas. Wild boar behavior was studied using advanced biologging technology. This study tracks and analyzes wild boar movements and behavioral responses to human disturbances. This study utilizes the dead reckoning method to precisely reconstruct the animal movements and evaluate behavioral changes based on proximity to disturbances. The sound of specific human activities was reproduced for telemetered animals from forest roads from different distances. Statistical analyses show that wild boars exhibit increased vigilance and altered movement patterns in response to closer human activity, but only in a small number of cases and with no significantly longer time scale. The relative representation of behaviors after disruption confirmed a high instance of resting behavior (83%). Running was the least observed reaction in only 0.9% of all cases. The remaining reactions were identified as foraging (5.1%), walking (5.0%), standing (2.2%), and other (3.8%). The findings suggest that while human presence and activities do influence wild boar behavior, adherence to movement restrictions and careful management of human activity in ASF-infected areas is not a necessary measure if human movement is limited to forest roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The rapidly growing wild boar population has resulted in an increasing rate of human–wildlife conflicts, including economic damage to crops or spreading African swine fever (ASF), which affects the pork industry. This situation necessitates the adoption of various measures to prevent wild boar movement, mitigate spreading of diseases, and protect crops. We evaluated the impact of commonly used odor fences (Wildschwein Stopp) using GPS telemetry of tagged individuals. The telemetry of free-ranging wild boars demonstrated no effect on their crossing of the odor fence lines compared to before the installation. Moreover, no difference was found when comparing the home range size of monitored individuals during the 22 days before and after odor fence installation. Therefore, our findings do not support using odor fences to prevent wild boar movement as a mitigation measure of ASF transmission or line protection against the damage caused by wild boars to crops. Wild boars are an opportunistic wildlife species that has successfully colonized the human-modified landscape in Europe. However, the current population boom has negative consequences, which result in a rapid increase in human–wildlife conflicts and disease transmission, including African swine fever (ASF). The increasing frequency of conflicts requires adequate solutions for these issues through various measures. Application of deterrents is a common non-lethal measure whose effects have been insufficiently verified until recently. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of odor fences, often applied as a barrier against wild boar movement. For this purpose, 18 wild boars were marked with GPS collars. After 22 days of initial monitoring, 12 sections of odor fences were installed on their home ranges. The monitored wild boars crossed the area 20.5 ± 9.2 times during the pre-installation period and 19.9 ± 8.4 times after the odor fence installation. Moreover, the average home range varied between 377.9 ± 185.0 ha before and 378.1 ± 142.2 ha after the odor fence installation. Based on GPS telemetry results, we do not support using odor repellent lines for crop protection or for limiting wild boar movement to lessen ASF outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oak is one of the most economically important hardwood tree species in Europe, and its prevalence will increase due to progressing global climate change, according to predictive models. With the increasing demand for timber and with the need for a balance between carbon emissions and sequestration, it is essential to address the afforestation of agricultural land. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the physico-mechanical properties and anatomical structure of pendulate oak (Quercus robur L.) wood—specifically focusing on the trunk's cross-section—in post-agricultural areas compared with the forest land in the western part of Poland. Wood density, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and other parameters were analyzed from 1626 wood samples. The analysis of physico-mechanical properties reveals that, historically, agricultural land use has an almost negligible impact on wood quality. Despite significant differences in small vessel diameter and fiber length favoring trees from post-agricultural land, the physico-mechanical properties remain consistent. Large vessel measurements show comparable diameter and length in both land types. These findings suggest that post-agricultural land can serve as an effective alternative for high-quality pendulate oak wood production for industrial purposes. However, wood from post-agricultural land may exhibit a decrease in modulus of rupture by over 30% and potentially lower density above the trunk's halfway point. This observation hints at the fact that oak trees in post-agricultural areas could be cultivated in shorter rotation periods compared to forest land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) represents one of the most important commercial coniferous tree species, providing valuable timber. Due to climate change, it is experiencing serious problems in some areas, therefore, finding a suitable substitute for its wood is currently a challenge. In this study, we compared the wood quality of three different non-native pine species and Scots pine growing at the same site to ensure identical growing conditions. Black pine (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold), a pine species native to Southern Europe, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson) native to North America were compared to Scots pine for selected quantitative (productivity) and qualitative (physical and mechanical) properties. Significant differences between pine species were found in all quantitative dendrometric parameters, except average diameter at breast height. The stand volume ranged from 157 m3 ha−1 for lodgepole pine to 356 m3 ha−1 for Scots pine. For qualitative characteristics, wood density, shrinkage, and compressive strength were used to find differences among species in choosing the best alternative. The highest wood density was obtained for Scots pine (458 kg m−3), followed by black pine with 441 kg m−3. The density of the remaining pine species was significantly lower. Scots pine also exceeded the tested species in compressive strength (44.2 MPa). Lodgepole pine achieved the second highest value (39.3 MPa) but was statistically similar to black pine (36.5 MPa). The tested pine species exhibited similar values in shrinkage, which were statistically insignificant, ranging from 14.3% for lodgepole pine to 15.1% for Scots pine. Based on applications and preferred characteristics, black pine or lodgepole pine could serve as the Scots pine substitute in some areas. And vice versa, ponderosa pine did not attain the Scots pine wood quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European forests are facing ongoing climate change, and certain tree species are being critically impacted. The Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is one of the most sensitive species to climate fluctuations, a fact manifesting itself through massive dieback resulting in a lack of high-quality timber and timber market destabilization. Therefore, the possibility of wood substitution with non-native spruce species, namely, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britt., Sterns, et Poggenburg), Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk.), and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), under the specific conditions of forest reclamations with great potential for future afforestation was tested. Wood density, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity were used to evaluate wood quality in comparison with native Norway spruce. The results confirmed that only the Serbian spruce reached the quality of Norway spruce and even exceeded it in terms of wood density (P. omorika 525 kg·m−3 vs. P. abies 517 kg·m−3) and exhibited comparable parameters with regard to other properties. The density of the other species was significantly lower for blue spruce (476 kg·m−3) and black spruce (468 kg·m−3). A similar trend was found for other wood parameters, which confirmed that Norway spruce quality was nearly comparable with that of Serbian spruce. On the other hand, black spruce and blue spruce did not match the quality of Norway spruce. The within-stem variability of the properties tested was low for all the spruce species examined. In conclusion, the Serbian spruce showed great potential for future usage in forest management and is one of the possible methods of Norway spruce replacement in times of unprecedented forest disturbances under the effects of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the spreading of unwanted invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., which poses a significant risk to natural ecosystem conservation. Nine different treatment variants (four replications) were used to test which management approach provides the control of Prosopis juliflora. This research is based on nine repeated measurements from 2017 to 2021 on 36 permanent research plots (each 625 m2) with 27 observed plant species and a total of 90,651 recorded plant individuals. The results confirmed that the dynamics of species richness, heterogeneity, and evenness showed significant differences between treatments during the five years of dynamics. The lowest species diversity was found in the control variant, followed by treatments based on the hard pruning and thinning of Prosopis juliflora trees. In contrast, strategies emphasizing the complete uprooting of Prosopis juliflora trees, replanting, and support of the natural regeneration of native species showed high species diversity and a high overall number of plant species. Generally, treatments had a significant effect on species diversity and the number of individuals of Prosopis juliflora, while changes in the overall number of plant species were more affected by time and succession. Silvicultural treatments including pruning, uprooting, and thinning have proven to be essential tools for nature conservation across various sites, aimed at enhancing habitat diversity in the face of ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a great component of the global carbon cycle and plays significant role in terms of climatic changes and agricultural land-use. An important management concern is the extent of SOC stocks sequestration when farmland is converted to forest stands. We have reviewed the literature about changes in SOC stock in relation to altitude and stand age and sought differences between former agricultural land and origin forest stands. Accumulation of SOC was monitored in 17 examples (41 samples) in 9 locations across the all Czech Republic with focus on the main tree species Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Results showed a significant increase of SOC stock in an afforested farmland with increasing stand age. Another factor was the altitude. With increasing altitude, the carbon stock in our model gradually decreased. From the data analyzed comparing forest stand and former agricultural land, similar carbon sequestration was documented for both variants with higher SOC for forest stands. However, other conditions affecting SOC stock should be taken into consideration, especially silvicultural management, topography, disturbances, soil properties and cultivation. The general tendencies of SOC changes at the investigated sites are comparable to those in other studies across the Europe.

Afforestation of marginal agricultural lands is an important issue in the land use changes running in Europe at present. The aim of the presented study is the documentation of effects of site improving material Alginite three years after afforestation of agricultural land in the locality with unfavourable hydrophysical regime. The impact was evaluated on growth parameters (height increment, mortality and foliar nutrient content) of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and a mixture of English oak (Quercus robur L.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seedlings on former agricultural land in central Bohemia, Czech Republic. The research plot consists of 36 square sub-plots, each sub-plot is 400 m2 in size. Each sub-plot consists of 400 individuals, except Douglas-fir with 200 individuals. The following doses of Alginite were applied: control (variant A without Alginite), 0.5 kg of Alginite (B) and 1.5 kg of Alginite (C) on both conifers and broadleaves. The results showed that Alginite application had greater positive effect on height growth of seedlings than mortality, especially variant C. In most of the cases height increments were significantly positively affected (p < 0.05) by both variants of Alginite application only in the third year after planting. Alginite applications were also connected with differences in the foliar nutrient content, especially with higher magnesium and phosphorus values. The highest differences among Alginite variants were observed for Norway maple and English oak, while the lowest for red oak and Scots pine within all monitored parameters.

In the middle of the twentieth century, a downward trend in grouse numbers in Central Europe became evident. Along with the decrease in the number of birds, the fragmentation and subsequent shrinking of the range of forest fowls such as the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) and the hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) began to manifest itself. Th is trend continues until now and the occurrence of these species in the Czech Republic and Central Europe in general is threatened. One of the segments of saving the species in situ is the support of the population by artifi cially reared or translocated individuals. First of all, however, it is necessary to solve the problem of the biological quality of the individuals used, which largely depends on the state of their digestive tract, the quality of the food and the development of behavioral patterns necessary for the intake of natural food in the wild. Th erefore, analyzes were made of the food supply of black grouse in the wild and potential feed components for black grouse in aviary breeding (Wendes method – dry matter, N substances, fats, ash, fi bre, BNLV, expressed in %). Subsequently, on the basis of the analysis results, a recipe of a feed mixture of seeds, dried shoots, fruits of woody plants and dried insects was prepared, suitable for rearing and preparing grouse birds for adaptation to natural conditions. It presents a diversifi ed food consisting of six types of cereals, two types of legumes, four types of oil seeds and another four types of seeds, fruits and dried shoots. Th e feed mixture of natural plant components was supplemented with an animal component – dried developmental stages of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Th e European hare (Lepus europaeus) is one of the farmland specialists inhabiting agroecosystems. It is particularly sensitive to negative changes in agricultural management and landscape homogenization. Th e quality of the environment affects not only the hare population dynamics but also the behaviour of individuals, which is reflected in the variation in home range sizes. Preliminary results of the GPS telemetry monitoring in the Czech Republic revealed signifi cant differences in the home range size of hares in high-diversified farmland (18.62 ± 4.14 ha) and conventionally managed agroecosystems (129.96 ± 55.64 ha) during the spring. Th ese results demonstrate that the hare can thrive in a relatively small area, provided there are sufficient food sources and suitable shelter opportunities. However, increasing the biodiversity of the landscape can benefit not only the European hare but also other wildlife including protected birds and animals, which can respond to positive changes in the agroecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Geographical variability of acoustic signals is studied more often in songbird species, which does not include the black grouse. The black grouse males use different calls during the mating performance, including vocal rookooing. No studies have yet dealt with a more detailed analysis of these signals, except one. Although the studied hissing calls of this species are classified as non-vocal acoustic signals, individuality was observed in these calls. To discern whether there is also geographical variability across the range or distribution area of the black grouse, we analyzed and compared hissing calls from four countries. Individuals in the Czech Republic, Finland, Scotland, and Russia were recorded during mating seasons. The results of the analysis revealed differences between the four subpopulations, although not at the level of dialect distinction. The study of acoustic variability, supported by genetic research, will help to better understand the links or, conversely, the differentiation processes between subpopulations. The black grouse is a species whose population development requires constant monitoring due to a rapidly declining trend, especially in Central Europe. Variability in the voices of geographically separated populations can aid in counting within individual populations. This has been investigated with the black grouse. However, the variability of the acoustic behavior of black grouse between populations was investigated for the first time. In total, 82 male black grouse were recorded during the lekking season in four countries: the Czech Republic, Scotland, Finland, and Russia. We analyzed recordings of hissing calls, i.e., the non-vocal signal. DFA analysis correctly classified almost 70% of the recordings. The results indicate a certain degree of difference between the grouse populations from the four countries examined. The mean frequency of hissing calls for populations was 1410.71 ± 170.25 Hz, 1473.89 ± 167.59 Hz, 1544.38 ± 167.60 Hz, and 1826.34 ± 319.23 Hz in the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Scotland, respectively. Populations from Scotland and Russia have greater intra-variability compared to grouse from the Czech Republic and Finland, indicating that population density is not the principal factor in the geographical variability of black grouse hissing calls. Range-level differences enhance knowledge and facilitate the assessment of species evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]