Contemporary Challenges and Restoration Constraints in Pedunculate Oak Forests: A Case Study of Croatia and Serbia

Abstract

Pedunculate oak forests have prominent historical value from commercial, biological, and social aspects for both countries. Recently, these forests have been exposed to rising threats, which raised both the concern of practical foresters and the importance of forest restoration efforts. Reports from both Croatia and Serbia over the past decade indicate an increase in the frequency and intensity of biotic and abiotic threats. To preserve the forests and their numerous benefits for nature and society, as well as to prevent their further degradation, it is essential to undertake the restoration. However, defferenet barriers and constraints are associated with restoring pedunculate oak forests in practical forestry. Therefore, our goal was to facilitate restoration of pedunculate oak forests by analysing current scientific knowledge and by identifying: 1) threats posed to pedunculate oak forests, 2) constraints and barriers, and 3) enablers and guidelines for forest restoration. Reviewing the available literature, we identified the most reported threats affecting pedunculate oak forests in Croatia and Serbia, among which lace bug, powdery mildew, wind damage, and the complex interplay of harmful biotic and abiotic factors stand out. Forest restoration is challenged by a range of systemic and practical barriers. The most common barriers are economic, legal, political, environmental, technical, and social. For each barrier, a description and binding issue for the restoration of pedunculate oak forests is given, as well as possible enablers for addressing them. Identifying and comprehending the barriers and enablers is essential for creating effective forest restoration strategies. Given that both the science and practice of restoration are still in a developmental phase, such insights are vital for advancing and improving restoration outcomes.