2026-05-05T01:43:17.826Z http://ezaposleni.singidunum.ac.rs/rest/sciNaucniRezultati/oai

ezaposleni.singidunum.ac.rs/rest/sciNaucniRezultati/oai:1:11735 2025-12-01T15:12:00Z 1

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY OF PRUNUS AVIUM IN THE URBAN FOREST – IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION AND GENETIC RESOURCE IMPROVEMENT 2025 http://ezaposleni.singidunum.ac.rs/rest/sciNaucniRezultati/oai/record/1/11735 ISBN 978-953-7909-20-8 M. Jovanović I. Kerkez Janković J. Milovanović M. Šijačić-Nikolić Urban forests are ecosystems exposed to various pressures. Their adaptation to future climate extremes and intense anthropogenic influences depends, among other factors, on genetic diversity. A high degree of gene pool variability in woody species positively affects ecosystem resilience, long-term stability, and adaptive potential under climate change conditions. This variability also forms the foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and the ecological functions of forests. Study presents the results of morphological variability assessment of leaves, fruits, and seeds of wild cherry (Prunus avium L.). A total of 13 individuals were source for material sampling. Population was identified within the area of Zvezdarska Forest - IUCN Category III – Natural Monument or Feature. Ten leaves, seeds, and fruits were sampled from each individual. Leaves were prepared as herbarium specimens and scanned, while fruits and seeds were photographed with side scale on paper sheet. Geometric morphometric analysis of leaves was conducted using the MorphoJ program. Nine homologous landmarks were marked on each leaf using the TPS software package (tpsDig, tpsUtil, tpsRelw). Size variation was analyzed using centroid size (CS) and Procrustes ANOVA, while shape analysis included both Procrustes ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). Fruits and seeds were analyzed using linear morphometric methods in ImageJ software, with measurements of length and width. All obtained results indicate significant morphological variability among the examined parameters, suggesting a relatively high level of genetic diversity within the population. These findings provide a foundation for the conservation, sustainable use and improvement of the wild cherry gene pool in Zvezdarska Forest. Due to high variability and small population size, a wild cherry progeny test has been established at the nursery of the Faculty of Forestry (Belgrade) as effort for expanding population. conferenceObject 97 97 Book of abstracts Conference for the New Generation of Forest Researchers, International Union of Forest Research Organizations - IUFRO Division 1 European Forest Institute - EFI