Fungal Pathogens and Insect Pests in Golija Nature Park
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Abstract
Golija nature park is a nature park located in the South-west of Serbia. The park is protected under law and declared an area of outstanding cultural and natural importance. During the recent years, a severe forest decline has been observed in parts of the park and it mosty occurred in Norway spruce stands. The aim of this paper was to present an overview of fungal pathogens and insect pests possibly involed in forest decline in Golija nature park. The study sites included mixed beech-fir-spruce forests (Piceo-Fago-abietetum), mixed beech- mountain maple forests (Aceri heldreichii–Fagetum moesiacae), a montane spruce forest (Piceetum excelsae serbicum montanum) and subalpine spruce forest (Piceetum excelsae serbicum subalpinum). The forests were found in areas ranging from 1450-1700 m in altitude. Melampsorella caryophillacearum, Cytospora sp., Ganoderma sp., Armillaria spp. and Heterobasidion spp. were found associated with beech, fir and spruce trees and four insect pests were found infesting beech and spruce trees, i.e. Phyllaphis fagi, Orchestes fagi, Sacchiphantes viridis and bark beetles (Scolytidae).
Keywords: Golija nature park, forest decline, spruce decline, fungal pathogens, insect pests