Abstract
Serbian spruce is an old, relict and currently rare and endangered spruce species particularly susceptible to climate change that attracts a lot of attention in the academic community since its discovery in 1875. Today, Serbian spruce is limited to the area of ~100 km2 localized around the mid-course of the Drina River in the mountainous central Balkans, at the border of Republic of Serbia and Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within this small area, ~30 remnant populations of various sizes are scattered at north-to-northwest orientated slopes of hills. Given the current state of Serbian spruce populations as well as extreme climate events and poor natural regeneration in this species, applied “do not touch” conservation approach is severely questioned, and some alternative protection and in situ and ex situ conservation actions have been put forward. In situ actions should involve: (1) facilitation of natural regeneration by selective removal of individual competitor trees, (2) assisted natural regeneration by planting high quality seedlings throughout the species current natural range or at nearby suitable sites, and (3) assisted natural regeneration by direct seeding. Although in situ actions may provide short-term persistence of Serbian spruce, ex situ actions, i.e., assisted migration, achieved by both assisted range expansion and assisted species migration, are inevitable, since it is very likely that Serbian spruce will disappear from its natural habitats in the near future due to the rapid climate change.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aitken, S. N., Yeaman, S., Holliday, J. A., Wang, T., & Curtis-McLane, S. (2008). Adaptation, migration or extirpation: Climatic changes outcomes for tree populations. Evolutionary Applications, 1, 95–111.
Aleksić, M. J. (2008). Genetic structure of natural populations of Serbian spruce [Picea omorika (Panč.) Purk.]. Dissertation, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Aleksić, M. J., & Geburek, T. (2010). Mitochondrial DNA reveals complex genetic structuring in a stenoendemic conifer Picea omorika [(Panč.) Purk.] caused by its long persistence within the refugial Balkan region. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 285, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-009-0250-0.
Aleksić, M. J., & Geburek, T. (2014). Quaternary population dynamics of an endemic conifer, Picea omorika, and their conservation implications. Conservation Genetics, 15, 87–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-013-0523-6.
Aleksić, M. J., Schueler, S., Mengl, M., & Geburek, T. (2009). EST-SSRs developed for other Picea species amplify in Picea omorika and reveal high genetic variation in two natural populations. Belgian Journal of Botany, 142, 89–95.
Aleksić, J. M., Ballian, D., Isajev, D., Mataruga, M., Christian, T., Gardner, M. (2017a). Picea omorika. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T30313A84039544. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T30313A84039544.en. Downloaded on 12 December 2017.
Aleksić, J. M., Piotti, A., Geburek, T., & Vendramin, G. G. (2017b). Exploring and conserving a “microcosm”: Whole-population genetic characterisation within a refugial area of the endemic, relict conifer Picea omorika. Conservation Genetics, 18(4), 777–788.
Atondo-Bueno, E. J., López-Barrera, F., Bonilla-Moheno, M., Williams-Linera, G., & Ramírez, N. (2016). Direct seeding of Oreomunnea mexicana, a threatened tree species from Southeastern Mexico. New Forests, 47, 845–860. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-016-9548-2.
Ballian, D., Longauer, R., Mikić, T., Paule, L., Kajba, D., & Gömöry, D. (2006). Genetic structure of a rare European conifer, Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk.). Plant Systematics and Evolution, 260, 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-006-0431-z.
Bouillé, M., Senneville, S., & Bousquet, J. (2011). Discordant mtDNA and cpDNA phylogenies indicate geographic speciation and reticulation as driving factors for the diversification of the genus Picea. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 7(3), 469–484.
Cejpek, J., Kuráž, V., & Frouz, J. (2013). Hydrological properties of soils in reclaimed and unreclaimed sites after brown-coal mining. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 22(3), 645–652.
Čolić, D. (1951). Šumski rezervati Picea omorica Pančić = Forest reserves of Picea omorica Pančić. – Šumarstvo, IV (1); 20–34. Summ.
Čolić, D. (1957). Neki pionirski karakteri Pančićeve omorike i njena uloga u sukcesiji biljnih zajednica. Archives des Sciences Bioloqiques, 9(1–4), 51–60 (in Serbian with English and German summary).
Čolić, D. (1959). Prilog poznavanju ekologije vegetativnog razmnožavanja Pančićeve omorike (Picea omorika Panč). Archive Bioloških Nauka, Beograd, 11(1–4), 41–66.
Čolić, D. (1987). Spontana obnova Pančićeve omorike (Picea omorika Panč.) posle požara. Zaštita Prirode, 40, 37–56.
Conifer Specialist Group. (1998). Picea omorika. In IUCN 2007. 2007 IUCN Red list of threatened species.
Cvetkovic, B., Mataruga, M., Isajev, V., Levic, J., Lucic, A., Trkulja, V., & Kremenovic, Z. (2013). Variability in germination and germination dynamics of differently treated seeds of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika Pančić/Purkynĕ). Genetika, 45(1), 109–119.
David, A. J., & Keathley, D. E. (1996). Inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in interspecific crosses of Picea glauca and Picea omorika. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 26(3), 428–432. https://doi.org/10.1139/x26-048.
Dizdarević, M., Lakušić, R., Grgić, P., Kutleša, L., Pavlović, B., & Jonlija, R. (1984). Ekološke osnove poimanja reliktnosti vrste Picea omorika Pančić. Bilten Društva ekologa Bosne i Herzegovine, Ser A, 2, 5–56 (in Bosnian with English abstract).
Dumroese, R. K., Williams, M. I., Stanturf, J. A., & St Clair, J. B. (2015). Considerations for restoring temperate forests of tomorrow: Forest restoration, assisted migration, and bioengineering. New Forest, 46, 947–964. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-015-9504-6.
Dumroese, R. K., Landis, T. D., Pinto, J. R., Haase, D. L., Wilkinson, K. W., & Davis, A. S. (2016). Meeting forest restoration challenges: Using the target plant concept. Reforesta, 1, 37–52.
Finsinger, W., Morales-Molino, C., Gałka, M., Valsecchi, V., Bojovic, S., & Tinner, W. (2017). Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics at Crveni Potok, a small mire in the Dinaric Alps (Tara National Park, Serbia). Quaternary Science Reviews, 167, 63–77.
Fowler, D. P. (1980). Hybridization of black spruce and Serbian spruce. Can For Serv Marit For Cent Inf Rep M-X-112.
Fukarek, P. (1956). Zaštita endemne Pančićeve omorike u NR Bosni i Hercegovini. Godišnjak Zemaljskog zavoda za zaštitu spomenika kulture i prirodnih rijetkosti NR Bosne i Hercegovine. Naše starine, III, 289–298.
Fukarek, P. (1967). Pančićevo otkriće omorike i njeno dalje proučavanje. In Josifović M (Ed.), Pančićev zbornik u spomen 150-godišnjice njegovog rođenja. Srpska Akademija Nauka i Umetnosti, Odeljenje prirodno-matematičkih nauka, Beograd (pp. 27–67).
Gajić, M., Vilotić, D., Karadžić, D., Mihajlović, L., & Isajev, V. (1994). Serbian spruce—Picea omorika (Pančić) Purkynĕ on the territory of the National Park Tara. Belgrade: The National Park Tara, Bajina Bašta and the Faculty of Forestry (in Serbian).
Geburek, T. (1986). Some results of inbreeding depression in Serbian spruce (Picea omorica (Panč.) Purk.). Silvae Genetica, 35, 169–172.
Gray, L. K., & Hamann, A. (2011). Strategies for reforestation under uncertain future climates: Guidelines for Alberta, Canada. PLoS One, 6(8), e22977. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0022977.
Gray, L. K., & Hamann, A. (2013). Tracking suitable habitat for tree populations under climate change in western North America. Climatic Change, 117, 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-012-0548-8.
Grossnickle, S., & Ivetić, V. (2017). Direct seeding in reforestation – A field performance review. Reforesta, 4, 94–142. https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.4.07.46.
Honnay, O., & Jacquemyn, H. (2007). Susceptibility of common and rare plant species to the genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation. Conservation Biology, 21, 823–831.
Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. (2013). http://www.hidmet.gov.rs/podaci/meteorologija/ciril/l2012.pdf. Accessed online: 09.11.2016.
Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia. (2015). http://www.hidmet.gov.rs/ciril/meteorologija/klimatologija_temp_rezim.php. Accessed online: 09.11.2016.
Ivetić, V. (2015). Reforestation in Serbia: Success or failure? In V. Ivetić, & D. Stanković (Eds.), Proceedings: International conference reforestation challenges (pp. 1–12). 03–06 June 2015, Belgrade, Serbia.
Ivetić, V., & Aleksić, J. (2016). Response of rare and endangered species Picea omorika to climate change – The need for speed. Reforesta, 2, 81–99. https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.2.09.24.
Ivetić, V., & Devetaković, J. (2016). Reforestation challenges in Southeast Europe facing climate change. Reforesta, 1, 178–220. https://doi.org/10.21750/10.21750/REFOR.1.10.10.
Ivetić, V., & Milovanović, J. (2005). Electrical conductivity test for Serbian spruce seed quality estimation. Glasnik Šumarskog fakulteta, 2005(91), 127–133.
Jezdimirović, J. (2016). Reconstruction of Serbian spruce seed orchard in Godovik. [In Serbian: Реконструкција семенске плантаже Панчићеве оморике у Годовику]. MSc thesis, University of Belgrade. 67 p.
Jovanović, B. (2000). Dendrologija. Udžbenik, šesto dopunjeno izdanje. Beograd: Univerzitet u Beogradu, Šumarski fakultet.
Kasesalu, H. (2002). Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Panchic) Purkyne) in Estonia. In Dendrological researches in Estonia III (Estonia). Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu (Estonia) (pp. 171–177). Forest Research Institute. (no.3).
Keča, N. (2010). The test of eight tree species resistance to the attack of Armillaria mellea and A. ostoyae by artificial infection. Bulletin of the Faculty of Forestry, 102, 41–56. [In Serbian, Summary in English]. https://doi.org/10.2298/GSF1002041K.
Kirschbaum, M., & Fischlln, A. (1996). Climate change impacts on forests. In R. Watson, M. C. Zinyowera, & R. H. Moss (Eds.), Climate change 1995 – impacts, adaptations and mitigation of climate change: Scientific-technical analysis, Contribution of Working Group to the Second Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (pp. 95–129). Cambridge a.o.: Cambridge University Press.
Kolarović, S. (1951). Nalazišta i stanje Pančićeve omorike u NR Srbiji. Šumarstvo Beograd, 4(1), 27–34.
Koskela, J., Vinceti, B., Dvorak, W., Bush, D., Dawson, I. K., Loo, J., Kjaer, E. D., Navarro, C., Padolina, C., Bordács, S., Jamnadass, R., Graudal, L., & Ramamonjisoa, L. (2014). Utilization and transfer of forest genetic resources: A global review. Forest Ecology and Management, 333, 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.07.017.
Král, D. (2002). Assessing the growth of Picea omorika [Panč.] Purkyně in the Masaryk forest training forest enterprise at Křtiny. Journal of Forest Science, 48(9), 388–398.
Kremer, A., Ronce, O., Robledo-Arnuncio, J. J., Guillaume, F., Bohrer, G., Nathan, R., Bridle, J. R., Gomulkiewicz, R., Klein, E. K., Ritland, K., Kuparinen, A., Gerber, S., & Schueler, S. (2012). Long-distance gene flow and adaptation of forest trees to rapid climate change. Ecology Letters, 15, 378–392.
Kuittinen, H., & Savolainen, O. (1992). Picea omorika is a self fertile but outcrossing conifer. Heredity, 68, 183–187. https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.27.
Kuittinen, H., Muona, O., Karkkainen, K., & Borzan, Ž. (1991). Serbian spruce, a narrow endemic, contains much genetic variation. Canadian Journal of Forestry Resources, 21, 363–367. https://doi.org/10.1139/x91-044.
Laborde, J., & Corrales-Ferrayola, I. (2012). Direct seeding of Brosimum alicastrum Sw. (Moraceae) and Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. (Mimosaceae) in different habitats in the dry tropics of central Veracruz. Acta Botánica Mexicana, 100(100), 107–134.
Langner, W. (1959). Ergebnisse Einiger Hybridisierrungsversuche Zwischen Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. und Picea omorika (Pancic) Purkyne. Silvae Genetica, 8, 138–143.
Ledig, F. T., & Kitzmiller, L. H. (1992). Genetic strategies for reforestation in the face of global climate change. Forest Ecology and Management, 50, 153–169.
Ledig, F. T., Hodgskiss, P. D., Krutovskii, K. V., Neale, D. B., & Eguiluz-Piedra, T. (2004). Relationships among the spruces (Picea, Pinaceae) of southwestern North America. Systematic Botany, 29(2), 275–295.
Leimu, R., Mutikainen, P., Koricheva, J., & Fisher, M. (2006). How general are positive relationships between plant population size, fitness and genetic variation? Journal of Ecology, 94, 942–952.
Lindgren, D. (2016). The role of tree breeding in reforestation. Reforesta, 1, 221–237. https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.1.11.11.
Loarie, S. R., Duffy, P. B., Hamilton, H., Asner, G. P., Field, C. B., & Ackerly, D. D. (2009). The velocity of climate change. Nature, 462, 1052–1056.
Lockwood, J. D., Aleksić, J. M., Zou, J., Wang, J., Liu, J., & Renner, S. S. (2013). A new phylogeny for the genus Picea from plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 69(3), 717–727.
Mataruga, M., Isajev, V., Lazarev, V., Balotić, P., & Daničić, V. (2005). Registar šumskih sjemenskih objekata RS-osnova unapređenja sjemenske proizvodnje (pp. 1–222). Banja Luka: Šumarski fakultet ISBN 99938-56-03-7.
Meyer, H. (1960). The Serbian Spruce, P. omorika, a species to supplement the scanty tree flora of Germany. Archive Forstwesen, 9(7), 595–614.
Mikkola, L. (1972). Crossability between Picea omorika (Pančic̀) Purkyne and P. glauca (Moench) Voss. Annales Botanici Fennici, 9(1), 33–36.
Millar, C. I., Stephenson, N. L., & Stephens, S. L. (2007). Climate change and forests of the future: Managing in the face of uncertainty. Ecological Applications, 17, 2145–2151.
Milovanović, J., & Šijačić-Nikolić, M. (2010). Characterization of Serbian spruce variability applying isoenzyme markers. Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment, 24(1), 1600–1605. https://doi.org/10.2478/V10133-010-0012-8.
Mitchell, A. F. (1975). Conifers in the British Isles: A descriptive handbook. London: HMSO 322 p.
Møller, P. F. (2013). Opportunities and problems with introduced tree species in the Danish forests – in a historical perspective. http://www.skogur.is/media/nordisk-skogshistorisk-konferanse/NSH-Reykjavik-Denmark.pdf.
Moritz, C. (1994). Defining ‘evolutionary significant units’ for conservation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 9, 373–375.
Nasri, N., Bojović, S., Vendramin, G. G., & Fady, B. (2008). Population genetic structure of the relict Serbian spruce, Picea omorika, inferred from plastid DNA. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 271, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-007-0594-2.
Nielsen, U. B., & Roulund, H. (1992). Sitkahybrider [Sitkahybrids]. Skoven, 24, 72–75.
Nienstaedt, H. (1977). Mass production alternatives for fast-growing spruce hybrids. In Proceedings of the Thirteenth Lake States Forest Tree Improvement Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-50 (pp. 56–71). St. Paul: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.
Nkongolo, K. K. (1999). RAPD and cytological analyses of Picea spp. from different provenances: Genomic relationships among taxa. Hereditas, 130(2), 137–144.
Nymoen, H. (1978). Picea omorika is not an alternative to P. sitchensis in afforestation. Norsk Skogbruk, 24(4), 15–16.
Ostojić, D., & Dinić, A. (2009). Experimental phytocoenological investigations of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika/Pančić/Purkynĕ) natural regeneration in the national park Tara. Šumarstvo, 2009(1–2), 23–35.
Ostojić, D., & Dinić, A. (2012). Rezervati prirode sa omorikom u Srbiji – osnovne karakteristike i zaštita. Zaštita prirode, 62(2), 5–17.
Pančić, J. (1887). Omorika nova fela četinara u Srbiji. Težak, XVIII(1), 1–8.
Pedlar, J. H., McKenney, D. W., Aubin, I., Beardmore, T., Beaulieu, J., Iverson, L., O’Neill, G. A., Winder, R. S., & Ste-Marie, C. (2012). Placing forestry in the assisted migration debate. Bioscience, 62, 835–842. https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2012.62.9.10.
Pintarić, K. (1999). Forestry and forest reserves in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In J. Dijaci (Ed.), Virgin forests and forest reserves in Central and East European Countries, COST Action E4: Forest Reserves Research Network (pp. 1–15). Ljubljana: Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Biotechnical Faculty.
Ran, J. H., Wei, X. X., & Wang, X. Q. (2006). Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Picea (Pinaceae): Implications for phylogeographical studies using cytoplasmic haplotypes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 41(2), 405–419.
Ran, J. H., Shen, T. T., Liu, W. J., Wang, P. P., & Wang, X. Q. (2015). Mitochondrial introgression and complex biogeographic history of the genus Picea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 93, 63–76.
Ravazzi, C. (2002). Late Quaternary history of spruce in southern Europe. Review of Paleobotany and Palinology, 120, 131–177.
Roulund, H. (1971). Observations on spontaneous hybridization in Picea omorika (Pancic) Purkyne. Forest Tree Improvement, 2, 2–17.
Sander, H., & Meikar, T. Received January 2009. Exotic coniferous trees in Estonian forestry after 1918. Allg. Forst- u. J.-Ztg., 180. Jg., 7/8: 158–169.
Schemske, D. W., & Lande, R. (1985). The evolution of self-fertilization and inbreeding depression in plants. II. Empirical observations. Evolution, 39, 41–52. https://doi.org/10.2307/2408515.
Sigurgeirsson, A., & Szmidt, A. E. (1993). Phylogenetic and biogeographic implications of chloroplast DNA variation in Picea. Nordic Journal of Botany, 13(3), 233–246.
Šijak, M., & Dinić, A. (1996). Dodatak bibliografiji radova o Pančićevoj omorici (Picea omorika Pančić). Ekologija, 30(1), 165–178.
Siljak-Yakovlev, S., Cerbah, M., Coulaud, J., Stoian, V., Brown, S. C., Zoldos, V., Jelenic, S., & Papes, D. (2002). Nuclear DNA content, base composition, heterochromatin and rDNA in Picea omorika and Picea abies. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 104(2), 505–512.
Sippel, S., & Otto, F. (2014). Beyond climatological extremes – assessing how the odds of hydrometeorological extreme events in South-East Europe change in a warming climate. Climatic Change, 125, 381–398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-014-1153-9.
Spittlehouse, D. L., & Stewart, R. B. (2003). Adapting to climate change in forest management. Journal of Ecosystems and Management, 4, 7–17.
Tucić, B., & Stojković, B. (2001). Shade avoidance syndrome in Picea omorika seedlings: A growth-room experiment. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 14, 444–455. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1420-9101.2001.00291.x.
Tucić, B., Pemac, D., & Ducić, J. (2005). Life history responses to irradiance at the early seedling stage of Picea omorika (Pancic) Purkynhe: Adaptiveness and evolutionary limits. Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology, 27, 185–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2004.12.004.
Tucović, A., & Isajev, V. (1982). The influence of different pollination types on some properties of Serbian spruce cones and seeds. Bulletin Faculty of Forestry (Belgrade), 59, 59–65.
Tucović, A., & Isajev, V. (1988). Generativna semenska plantaža omorike u Godoviku (pp. 1–40). Beograd: Izvođački projekat.
Vidaković, M. (1963). Međuvrsno ukrštanje Pančićeve omorike (Picea omorika/Panč./Purkyne) sa sitkanskom smrčom (Picea sithensis (Bong.) Cariére) (pp. 337–342). Beograd: Šumarstvo.
Vidaković, M. (1982). Četinjače – Morfologija i varijabilnost. JAZU & Liber, Zagreb. 711 pp.
Widrlechner, M. P., Hasselkus, E. R., Herman, D. E., lies, J. K., Pair, J. C., Paparozzi, E. T., Schutzki, R. E., & Wildung, D. K. (1992). Performance of landscape plants from Yugoslavia in the North Central United States. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 10(4), 192–198.
Williams, M. I., & Dumroese, R. K. (2013). Preparing for climate change: Forestry and assisted migration. Journal of Forestry, 111, 287–297. https://doi.org/10.5849/jof.13-016.
Wright, J. W. (1955). Species crossability in spruce in relation to distribution and taxonomy. Forest Science, 1(4), 319–349.
Zehetmayr, J. W. L. (1954). Experiments in tree planting on peat. Forestry Commission Bulletin, 22, 110 p. London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ivetić, V., Aleksić, J.M. (2019). Serbian Spruce and Climate Change: Possible Outcomes and Conservation Strategy. In: Šijačić-Nikolić, M., Milovanović, J., Nonić, M. (eds) Forests of Southeast Europe Under a Changing Climate. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 65. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95267-3_30
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95267-3_30
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-95266-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-95267-3
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)