EFFECT OF PRIMING WITH SILVER FIR AND OREGANO ESSENTIAL OILS ON SEED GERMINATION AND VIGOUR OF SILENE SENDTNERI

UDK: 582.661.51:631.53.027]:547.913 In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with silver fir and oregano essential oils on certain important seedling characteristic and seed vigour of interesting endemic and horticultural species Silene sendtneri, an experiment was conducted based on randomized completely design with three replications. Traits such as germination rate, water content, dry weight, vigour index and photosynthetic pigments were analysed. Results revealed that the seedlings obtained with priming seeds showed increased growth, water content, vigour and photosynthetic pigment contents but decreased germination rate and dry weight compared with that obtained with non-primed seeds. Analysis of seed priming effects had demonstrated even germination rate is smaller the seedling vigour is slightly higher especially with all oregano oil treatments. We suggest that oregano oil has a potential as a priming agent for improvement of seedling synchrony, although at lower rate of germination.

THE DIVERSITY OF TREMATODES IN FISHES FROM THE MIDDLE COURSE OF THE RIVER SAVA (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA)

UDK: 597:576.89(497.6) (282.249) The prevalence and intensity of trematodes ectoparasites in freshwater fish are presented in this paper. Parasitology researches were conducted during 2017 in the middle course of the river Sava near Orašje. All results from this study were tested with the use of nonparametric tests (χ2, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman test of corellation) in the statistical package STATISTICA 7. The total of 400 sampled specimens of different fish species were parasitologically tested. The trematodes from the class Monogenea (Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus and Eudiplozoon nipponicum) and Digenea (Posthodiplostomum cuticola) were found on the skin and the gills of the fish. The genus Dactylogyrus was found on 27 specimens, or 6.75%. Intensity of the infection for the genus Dactylogyrus did not show any significant deviations during different seasons. Parasites from the genus Gyrodactylus were found on the skin and the gills of 40 infected specimens, dominantly found on the gills. The species Eudiplozoon nipponicum was found in low prevalence in the total ichthyo sample of 1.75%. The presence of the species Posthodiplostomum cuticola is established in 18 specimens and the prevalence of the infection in total sample was 4.5%.

BIODIVERSITY OF FRUIT-BEARING FOREST SPECIES IN THE PROTECTED LANDSCAPE "KONJUH"

UDK: 634.2:574.4]:502(497.6 “Konjuh“) The area of the protected landscape "Konjuh" is distinguished by quality forest ecosystems, featuring diverse fruit-bearing forest species, which contributes to the conservation of biodiversity of the protected landscape "Konjuh". The aim of the paper is to assess the state of biodiversity of fruit-bearing species in the forest ecosystems of the study area, with the emphasis on determining the genus richness as a basis for conservation (in/ex situ), breeding and economic use. During the vegetation season in 2015 and 2016, several relevés (phytosociological plot) were made in the Protected Landscape "Konjuh". The results of the research indicate the high level of variability for most of the species according to characteristics of biology, pomology, and ecology. The fruit trees, like the noble hardwood, are wild cherry, (Prunus avium L.), wild pear (Pyrus communis L.), wild apples (Malus sylvestris Mill.), Breccia (Torminalis clusii M. Roem.), Sorbus aria L. et all, Wild cherry, Vrapcarka (Prunus avium L.) is the most famous forest fruit grower, occurs as a single tree or in smaller groups (Noćajević, 2009). The benefits of fruit-bearing forest species are emphasized in the bloom and the fruiting time, when "decorated" forest provide a rich bee pasture and feeding nutriment for forest fauna (Orešković et al. 2006). Fruit-bearing Forest species are significant as the genera of the varieties and as a basis for the grafting for high-grade varieties. Also, they are important for humans from the aspect of ecology, nutrition, dietotherapy, pharmacology and bioenergy balance.

CURRENT PERSPECTIVES OF DNA BARCODING IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA THROUGH BOLD DATABASE

UDK: 577.212:574]:007.5(497.6) DNA barcoding is a method designed to provide rapid and precise species identifications by using one or more of short gene sequences called barcodes. In most plant and fungi studies, the standard barcodes of choice are three plastid (rbcL, matK and trnH-psbA) and one nuclear (ITS) gene regions. The relatively high, but comparatively conserved rate of sequence evolution of mtDNA has made COI the marker of choice in animals. BOLD is a freely available cloud-based data storage and analysis platform developed with the aim to advance biodiversity science through DNA barcoding species identification. To date, over 6 million barcodes have been deposited in BOLD with 196,000 animal species, 68,000 plant species and 22,000 species of fungi and other organism entries. In this database, there are currently 447 entries for organisms from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which makes 0.0067% of the total number of BOLD entries. According to BOLD statistics, only 1.11% of all organism entries from B&H were submitted by B&H institutions. Despite the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina has valuable natural resources with a high percentage of endemic and autochthonous species, BOLD statistics elucidated the lack of coordinated and systematic DNA barcoding research so far. It is necessary to establish continuous progress of molecular-genetic characterization of these resources in the future. It is up to B&H institutions to decide if they want to continue the practice of submitting the data sporadically or if they will animate the research community to actively participate in this global project.

SYSTEMATIC POSITION AND VULNERABILITY OF SABANEJEWIA BALCANICA IN THE BALKAN AREA

UDK: 597.551.2(497) Sabanejewia balcanica is a fish species that belongs to Cobitidae family and it is the endemic of the Balkan Peninsula. It is present in the tributaries of the Danube and Aegean waters. Systematics of this species has experienced certain changes that are related to the systemic instability of the entire Cobitidae family, so there has been a change in the name of the genus of this species. The genus Sabanejewia was separated from the genus Cobitis in the last century, but this name was generally used much later. According to data of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, this species is still not endangered, but is assigned a status of least concern (LC). Sabanejewia balcanica is in the Annex II of the Habitats Directive and Annex III of the Bern Convention which basically require the protection of this species and its habitats. In the proposal to create a red list of fauna of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been concluded that there is not enough information on the population characteristics of this species. The aim of this article is to present data on exploration of Sabanejewia balcanica in the Balkan area as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby contributing to the determination of its status of vulnerability and protection of its natural habitats.

THE SYNTAXONOMIC AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE CLASS FESTUCO-BROMETEA BR.-BL. EX KLIKA & HADAČ 1944 IN THE AREA OF PREČKO POLJE

UDK: 581.55(497.6) The ecosystems of the class Festuco-Brometea in Bosnia and Herzegovina play an important role in the overall biological diversity. They are distinguished by a large number of vegetation units, as well as by significant number of rare, endemic or relict plant species. The study area, Prečko polje, covers 1.27 at 1100 m a.s.l., and takes place in the heart of mountain complex Treskavica-Visočica-Bjelašnica. We analised thermophylous meadows of Prečko polje after method of phytocoenological relevé. The class Festuco-Brometea in study area is being differentiated into the alliances Xerobromion erecti (with suballiance Fumano-Scabiosenion leucophyllae) and Mesobromion erecti (with suballiance Eu-Mesobromenion). In general, thermophylous meadows are characterized by high degree of species diversity. Moreover, within thermophylous meadows of Prečko polje we have identified nine species which are considered to have certain conservation status, according to the national and/or international legislation. Our study has shown that investigated area should be considered as potential Natura 2000 site for it is inhabited by a significant number of rare and/or endangered orchid species.

INDICATION OF THE STATE OF PEATLAND ECOSYSTEMS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

UDK: 582.323: 574.4(497.6)(234.422) 551.438.22(497.6)(234.422) Peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a relict remain of the vegetation, flora and fauna from the glaciation periods. Peatlands are widespread on the North, where they occupy large areas of northern Europe, Asia and Canada. Occurrence of this type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina contains an indication of nature conservation in general and represents an extraordinary natural value. The status of peatland ecosystems in the Balkans should be carefully monitored especially today, at the time of the already recognizable effects of climate change. The preserved structure and functionality of these ecosystems might indicate satisfactory degree of resilience to climate change, but adverse state warns on the need to take appropriate actions. Multiply drivers as overexploitation of natural resources, water, air and soil pollution and spread of invasive alien species, also have a negative effect on peatland ecosystems. In order to assess the conditions of peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, researches were carried out on Vranica and Zvijezda mountain in central Bosnia. Researches was conducted including the following communities: Sphagno-Piceetum montanum Stef 1964, Sphagnetum recurvo-subsecundi Grgić et al. 1991, Menyanthi-Sphagnetum Grgić et al. 1991 Scirpetum silvatici Ht et H-ić, Calthaetum rostratae Lakušić et al. 1991, Abieti-Piceetum illyricum Fuk. 1960 Stef. 62 s.l ect. To investigate existing conditions state of the peatland ecosystems, floristic elements and life forms were determined for every plant species. A comparison of previous and today’s state of these communities was conducted, associated with analysis of Ellenberg’s indices for temperature, light, soil reaction etc. According to Lakušić et al., 1991., these type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina was satisfactory. However, today's finding shows severe changes. The loss of peatland habitats was recorded in the entire area of research. The main identified drivers are deforestation, habitat conversion and drainage of watercourses. In order to protect this type of ecosystems and important indicator species it is necessary to implement different conservation and restoration activities.

THE MACROPHYTE FLORA AND VEGETATION OF THE PAUČKO LAKE (MT. KONJUH)

UDK: 581.9:574.5 (497.6) (285) The study presents the first data on biodiversity of macrophyte flora and vegetation of Paučko Lake, which is recognized as an area of great natural, landscape and hydrological value in the Protected Landscape “Konjuh”. Paučko Lake has a small surface and it’s located at 711 m a.s.l. in the catchment area of the Drinjača River. The aquatic and marsh vegetation were studied during spring and summer in 2018 using the traditional Zürich-Montpellier approach. The vegetation of Paučko Lake is comprised of aquatic and marsh associations of the classes Potamogetonetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941 and Phragmito-Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941. The following aquatic and marsh plant associations were identified: Myriophyllo-Potametum Soó 1934, Scirpo-Phragmitetum australis W. Koch 1926, Thelypterido palustris-Phragmitetum australis Kuiperex van Donselaar et al. 1961, Schoenoplectetum lacustris Chouard 1924, Typhetum latipholiae Lang. 1973 and Scirpetum silvatici Ht et H-ić prov. (in Ht et al.1974). Rare vulnerable taxa Thelypteris palustris Schott and Menyanthes trifoliata L. were recorded in emerged littoral communities, whose habitats are under successional changes caused by excessive macrophyte overgrowth by competitor species. Restoration measures are necessary to be taken to preserve the habitats of endangered species of the Paučko Lake.

CHECKLIST OF VEGETATION CLASSES OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: HOW MUCH DO WE KNOW?

UDK: 581.5(497.6) The beginnings of vegetation research of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), according to Braun-Blanquet’s approach, date back to early 1930s, culminated in the period of 60s-70s, and declined until the end of 20th century. Twenty years after the war B&H vegetation science hasn’t still achieved the pre-war level. The starting point for the preparation of the checklist of vegetation classes was the vegetation database of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which contains 6823 relevés, which were digitized and imported in TURBOVEG database for storage of large relevé datasets. Total of 4780 relevés were collected from 123 references (2906 regularly published, 1331 from grey literature and 543 from manuscripts), while 2043 are unpublished relevés, mainly recorded by the team of the Department of Forest Ecology at the Faculty of Forestry in Banja Luka. Analysis of this dataset suggests that vegetation of Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises 60 classes. According to the overviews of vegetation of Bosnia and Herzegovina published so far, the vegetation dominated by vascular plants numbers 33 and 39 classes respectively. This discrepancy can be partially attributed to different syntaxonomic concepts used in these overviews compared to the latest Checklist compiled at the European level (EuroVegChecklist), which was our guideline, but also to uneven level of elaboration of different vegetation types and geographical regions in B&H. Six classes of forest vegetation share almost 60% of the total number of relevés, while another six classes of various grasslands take another 25%. The other 15% is divided among the rest of 48 classes. Some of the classes without relevés are, in our own opinion, present in B&H, but still need to be confirmed, while the others, even though mentioned in literature, couldn’t be confirmed at the field after extensive research.

TWO SPECIES OF GENUS CAREX SECT. SPIROSTACHYAE (CYPERACEAE) NEW TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

UDK: 582.542.11(497.6) During systematic field research of genus Carex in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period of 2014-2018. two species from sect. Spirostachyae Drejer ex L. H. Bailey have been recorded for the first time in the flora of the country: Carex extensa Gooden. and Carex punctata Gaudin. While C. punctata is a quite common species growing in damp and wet habitat types over serpentine substrates in Central Bosnia, C. extensa is recorded as very rare along the Adriatic Sea coast on Klek Peninsula (southern Bosnia and Herzegovina), and recognized as critically endangered (CR) in the country.