National Projects (Implemented Projects in the Last 5 Years)

Somewhat earlier, the following projects were implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of Forestry:

1. Monitoring of Groundwater Levels in the Territory of the Forest Estate “Sremska Mitrovica”
   In 1999, long-term research was initiated on the condition and changes in the groundwater regime in the territory of Lower Srem, in the forests of the management units “Jasenska Belilo”, “Kupinske grede”, “Kupinski kut”, and “Grabovačko-Vitojevačko ostrvo” (FU “Kupinovo” and FU “Klenak”). In the research area, 40 piezometers were installed for permanent monitoring of groundwater level fluctuations. Later, in 2010, the piezometer network was extended to the territory of Upper Srem with an additional 64 piezometers, thus covering the entire Ravni Srem area with a total of 104 piezometers. The mentioned piezometer network in Upper Srem encompassed the following management units: “Varadin-Županja”, “Smogva-Grabova greda”, “Raškovica-Smogvica”, “Blata-Malovinci”, “Vinična-Žeravinac-Puk”, “Neprečava-Varoš-Lazarica”, and “Vratična-Cret-Carevina” (FU “Morović” and FU “Višnjićevo”). In the piezometer network, 20 experimental fields were also established for monitoring soil moisture. The main objective of the long-term monitoring of groundwater levels in the forests of Ravni Srem is the study of the impact of the regime and fluctuations of groundwater levels on the vitality, health condition, floristic composition, and productivity of oak forests in this area.
2. Defining Silvicultural Requirements in Artificially Established Pedunculate Oak Stands for the Purpose of Maximising the Production of High-Quality Assortments in the Territory of FE “Sremska Mitrovica” and FE “Sombor”
   The project encompasses research on the density and stand structure of artificially established pedunculate oak stands in various developmental stages. By planned regulation of the growing space for trees, efforts will be directed towards achieving the optimal density of existing stands. The attainment of this long-term objective is conditioned by the prior determination of reliable criteria for regulating the growing space of trees, as well as by technological procedures for ensuring the necessary conditions for the formation of vital stands and the development of trees with high-quality technical properties, while maximising the use of the productive potential of oak sites. The research was conducted within a network of experimental plots in the forests of FE “Sremska Mitrovica” and FE “Sombor”.
3. Research on the Effects of Work of Tractor Teams and the Establishment of Work Standards and Norms in Forest Utilisation, with Special Emphasis on the Training of Personnel for Standardisation Tasks
   The main objective of the project was the improvement and rationalisation of forest operations through the application of work standardisation and the definition of material consumption norms under existing working conditions. In addition, within the framework of the project, employees were trained for tasks of standardisation and the determination of material consumption norms. The mechanisation of forestry operations necessitated the procurement of new machinery and equipment for which work standards and norms had not previously been developed, which was one of the significant reasons for the implementation of this project.
4. Comparative Studies of Arthropod Diversity in the Protected Forests of the Obedska Bara Area and in Commercial Forests in the Surrounding Area.
   The aim of the project was to address the problems arising from the prescription of nature protection (conservation) measures and the planning of forest management measures in certain areas. In order to contribute to overcoming the conflict between nature protection and forestry, research was undertaken on the impact of changes in hydrological conditions and human activities in forest management on arthropod biodiversity. The results of multi-year research were published in 2011 in a special monograph entitled “Arthropod Diversity in the Forests of the Obedska Bara Area”.

International Projects

PE “Vojvodinašume” has participated in the implementation of several international projects related to the improvement of forests and forestry. The following projects should be particularly emphasised:

1. Development and Introduction of an Innovative Concept of Forest Management Planning with Respect to Economic, Ecological (Flood, Icebreak, and Fire Protection), and Social Aspects in Serbia (BMEL)
   The objective of the project was identified as the improvement of the economic and ecological stability of Serbian forests through the introduction of a new approach to forest management planning, based on the concept of close-to-nature forestry developed in Germany, while respecting the specific characteristics of Serbian forestry. On the one hand, the aim was to improve the economic performance of the Serbian forestry sector by developing a specific and effective methodology of forest management planning, and on the other hand, to place greater emphasis on the protective functions of forests within the forest management planning system in Serbia, as the main focus of developing the new approach. The prerequisite for this is the establishment, tending, and maintenance of a stable close-to-nature forest stock at appropriate sites, so that forests can fully fulfil their protective function (protection of soil, water, biodiversity, and climate) and be able to withstand natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and/or to resist catastrophes caused by fires, icebreak, outbreaks of plant diseases and pests, and others.
2. Contribution of Sustainable Forest Management to Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Adaptive Development in Serbia (Project Funded by GEF)
   The objective of the project is the promotion of multifunctional sustainable forest management for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, maintaining and increasing carbon stocks, and ensuring forest ecosystem services in productive forests. A new methodology for data collection in forestry was developed, harmonised with global and regional standards, which also incorporates biodiversity information, representing an innovation in the stand inventory of forests in Serbia. Furthermore, the second National Forest Inventory was carried out, in which forestry engineers employed at PE “Vojvodinašume” actively participated (data collection in the territory of AP Vojvodina). In addition, an important component of the project relates to the establishment of a forestry information system, which includes the full implementation of the software package “Osnova2020”, the development of a new web portal, as well as the development of missing modules required to ensure full functionality and operability of the information system.

The availability of various European Union funds has initiated a series of projects, which were mainly related to the improvement of the condition of protected areas managed by PE “Vojvodinašume”. The projects have been intensively implemented since 2009, and to date, 15 projects have been realised with a total value exceeding EUR 1,500,000.

Overview of the Most Significant International Projects of PE “Vojvodinašume”

Knowledge of project management and all its fundamental elements is of great importance for employees working in this field. International projects are mainly implemented from the headquarters of the enterprise with the support of employees from branch offices and forest units. The implementation of projects is part of the regular activities of employees.

The demonstrated seriousness and ability in project implementation have characterised PE “Vojvodinašume” as a highly respected and sought-after partner in all current programmes where funding opportunities exist for nature protection and certain aspects of forest management. At present, PE “Vojvodinašume” is in the process of applying for several new projects. Although PE “Vojvodinašume” has nearly reached the maximum utilisation of its capacities for project work, the enterprise nevertheless expresses goodwill and interest in numerous proposed topics (sometimes even innovative ones) and strives to provide positive responses for participation in the projects of many potential partners.