The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of different degrees of mixing on the diversity structure in stands left to spontaneous development. The research included two communities of species endemic to the Balkan Peninsula—the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika Pančić Purk.) and the Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce Griseb). Data from eight sample plots were used in the research. The changes in diameter and height structure, spatial arrangement of trees, and diameter differentiation were analyzed. The analyzed parameters of structural diversity show relatively low to moderate values. Results showed an increase in mixing was reflected in the width and shape of distributions. A spatial analysis of stands with a higher degree of mixing showed a tendency towards a random to regular distribution of individuals, in contrast to stands with a lower degree of mixing which showed a tendency towards a clump distribution. The pronounced species’ dimensional and spatial diversity confirms their importance to the condition of modern forest management. Significant differences in the change of structure are shown by stands with a share of admixed species of above 20% by volume. The obtained results refer to stands left to spontaneous development, suggesting than an active research and management approach must be assumed to realize the goal of protecting rare forest ecosystems.

This paper analyzes changes in forested areas, as depicted in topographic maps, within the historical context of their publication in Serbia. The research focuses on the experimental field ?Goc- Gvozdac? of the University of Belgrade ? Faculty of Forestry, with additional reference to changes in Central Serbia. Changes were assessed across historical periods using four reference topographic maps: from 1893, 1929, 1971, and 1985. Data on shifts in forested areas (categorized as forest and other land) were obtained by vectorizing scanned analog maps using manual GIS editing tools. Additionally, currently available spatial data sets of land cover/use for 2021 were utilized for the analysis. The forest distribution across different geological formations was also evaluated. The results indicate a continuous increase in forested areas within the experimental field, rising from 77.6% in 1893 to 89.3% in 1985, and reaching 95.1% by 2021. The most significant increase occurred during the first reference period (1983? 1929), while the smallest growth was observed in the last one. Data for Central Serbia also reveal a general upward trend in forested areas throughout the 20th century, consistent with findings from the experimental field. However, analyses in the 21st century indicate only minor changes in the forested area. The historical data on forest area changes provide valuable insights, enhancing our understanding of forest development and informing better forest management planning, organization, and activity implementation. This is significant for enhancing knowledge from educational and scientific research perspectives, as well as providing the foundation for forest management in preservation and qualitative improvement.

Protected areas can only deliver their environmental, social and economic benefits if they are effectively managed. The aim of the paper is to analyze the management of nature parks entrusted to the State Enterprise for Forest Management ?Srbijasume?, identify management problems and opportunities, and provide management and other reform proposals in order to improve the efficiency of management of protected areas. SE ?Srbijasume? manages 5 nature parks on an area of 280,497 ha, which makes up 94% of the total area of nature parks in Serbia. Managerial organization of protected areas in SE ?Srbijasume? is in accordance with the Law on Nature Protection, which prescribes the conditions that must be met by the manager in terms of professional, personnel and organizational qualifications to perform the tasks of protection, improvement, promotion and sustainable development of the protected areas. The management of protected areas is coordinated with the three-level organizational structure of the Enterprise (General Directorate, Forest Estates, Forest Administrations). For the management of nature parks ?Stara planina?, ?Golija?, ?Zlatibor? and ?Radan? special work units have been formed.