Fadhila Taïbi , Khaled Taïbi*, Madani Rouab, Amel Belheziel, Leila Aït Abderrahim, and Mohamed Boussaid

Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology. Faculty of Life and Natural Sciences, Ibn Khaldoun
University of Tiaret, Department of Biology, 14 000 Tiaret, Algeria. *E-mail: khaledtaibi@hotmail.com

Atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière, a cornerstone of North African forests, is increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation and desertification in its southern range. This study aims to assess how morphological traits of cones, seeds, and needles vary among provenances to infer local adaptation to contrasting environments. Understanding local adaptation is therefore crucial for conservation. This study evaluates morphometric variation in cones, seeds, and needles among three Algerian provenances (Oued Tider, Ain Kerrouch, Talmet) within Belezma National Park, where Saharan influences constrain regeneration. From each provenance, 10 cones were sampled from 10 trees and analysed for weight, length, diameter, and scale number. For each cone, the total number of seeds was counted, and individual seeds were measured for weight, length, diameter, and thickness. In addition, seed-to-cone mass ratio was calculated to quantify reproductive efficiency. Besides, needle length and diameter were also measured. Results revealed significant provenance differences in cone weight, length, diameter, and scale count. Talmet cones were the largest and seed weight highest, followed by Ain Kerrouch and Oued Tider. Seed length and diameter were also greater in Talmet, while needle length peaked in Ain Kerrouch. Strong allometry emerged among cone dimensions and between cone and seed weight, but not with needles. These morphological patterns mirror local environmental gradients; Oued Tider’s wetter climate favoured smaller cones and seeds, Talmet’s harsher soils and aridity promoted larger reproductive investment, and Ain Kerrouch displayed intermediate traits with longer needles. Overall, provenance-specific contrasts in seed size and yield highlight environment-driven shifts in reproductive allocation, supporting evidence of local adaptation to semiarid gradients. These findings highlight adaptive divergence among provenances, offering critical guidance for seed-source selection under advancing desertification.

Received: 08 October 2025 / Accepted: 10 November 2025 / Available online: 12 November 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Svetoslav Anev

Department of Dendrology, Faculty of Forestry, University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. *E-mail: svetoslav.anev@ltu.bg

This study examined the distribution and phenology of forests dominated by Quercus cerris L. (QC), Quercus frainetto Ten. (QF) and Quercus petraea sensu lato (QP) across Bulgaria. Ecological variables, including altitude, latitude, longitude, aspect and slope, were analysed to characterise species-specific habitat preferences. Phenological events, such as the start of the vegetation period (SVP), the end of the vegetation period (EVP) and the length of the vegetation period (LVP), were also compared. The results showed that QC and QF were more common on flat terrain, whereas QP preferred mountainous areas. QC tended to dominate shaded slopes, QF occurred mainly on sunny exposures, and QP was more evenly distributed across both. QC exhibited the latest leaf unfolding (20 April ± 4.8 days) and the earliest EVP (15 October ± 12.8 days), resulting in the shortest growing season (178.1 ± 13.8 days). In contrast, QF and QP began vegetation period almost simultaneously (16–18 April ± 4.8–6.6 days) and ended at similar times (20–23 October ± 9.4–12.9 days), with comparable vegetation periods (187–188 days). Observed features enhance our understanding of the ecological and phenological differences among the three oak species. They can be utilised to improve the efficient, evidence-based management of oak forests in Bulgaria, which may be crucial in the face of climate change challenges.

Received: 08 October 2025 / Accepted: 11 November 2025 / Available online: 14 November 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Nouredine Ferraguig (1,2)*, Samir Ait Said (2), Tassadit Dib (2), Zakia Chikhaoui (2), Fazia Krouchi (2), Khellaf Rabhi (2), Jean-Philippe Mevy (3), and Mohamed Sahnoune (4)

1. Department of Environmental Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences,
University of Bejaia, 060000 Bejaia, Algeria. *E-mail: nouredine.ferraguig@univ-bejaia.dz
2. Laboratory of Ecology, Biotechnology and Health (EBS), Faculty of Biological and Agronomic
Sciences, Mouloud Mammeri University, BP 17 RP, 15000 Tizi Ouzou, Algeria.
E-mails: samir.ait_said@ummto.dz, tassadit.dib@ummto.dz, zakia.
chikhaoui@ummto.dz, fazia.krouchi@ummto.dz, khellaf.rabhi@ummto.dz
3. Aix-Marseille University, Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE) –
Joint Research Unit CNRS/IRD 237, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
E-mail: jean-philippe.mevy@imbe.fr
4. Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University
of Bejaia, 060000 Bejaia, Algeria. E-mail: mohamed.sahnoune@univ-bejaia.dz

This study investigates drupe and seed traits, as well as seed viability, of Pistacia lentiscus L. across six sites distributed along a latitudinal gradient in Algeria. At each site, ten shrubs from wild populations were randomly selected for sampling. One hundred mature drupes per shrub were collected in 2018 and 2019 and analysed for various quantitative and qualitative traits. No significant differences were observed between years for quantitative traits, but significant variation was detected among sites. Drupes from the northernmost sites were heavier but contained smaller seeds compared to those from southern sites. Seed weight represented approximately 25 % of drupe weight. On average, seed viability was 18.94 %, although at two of the six sites it reached 35 to 47 %, with a few individuals showing up to 91 %. At the other sites, particularly in semi-arid areas, viability was low and sometimes zero. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on the drupe and seed features allowed discrimination between the two northernmost sites and the others. In contrast, qualitative traits such as colour, shape, and surface were relatively consistent across sites. This study provides the first evidence of geographic variation in reproductive parameters such as drupe and seed weight, seed size, and seed viability in P. lentiscus populations in Algeria. Such variation may influence the species’ capacity to regenerate through seeds.

Received: 21 July 2025 / Accepted: 11 November 2025 / Available online: 20 November 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Agus Ngadianto (1)*, Masendra (1), Ahdiar Fikri Maulana (1), Puji Lestari (1), Dwi Sukma Rini (2), and Murzabyek Sarkhad (3)

1. Department of Bioresources Technology and Veterinary, Vocational College, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia. *E-mail: agus.ng@ugm.ac.id
2. Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram, Mataram 83125, Indonesia.
3. Training and Research Institute of Forestry and Wood Industry, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

In Indonesia, wood from fast-growing tree species that are planted in community forests plays an important role in meeting the raw material demands of the wood industry. One of these is Falcataria falcata (L.) Greuter & R.Rankin. This study aimed to determine the radial variation of wood properties of F. falcata grown in a community forest in Indonesia by linear and nonlinear mixed-effect models. Based on radial variation modelling, the linear model was selected as the best model for basic density and compressive strength parallel to grain, indicating that these properties increase gradually from pith to bark. Meanwhile, the logarithmic model was fitted for radial shrinkage and modulus of elasticity (MOE), and the Michaelis-Menten model was selected for tangential shrinkage and modulus of rupture (MOR). Both of these models indicated that radial and tangential shrinkage at 1% moisture content, as well as MOE and MOR, increased from the pith and then became almost constant toward the bark. It can be concluded that the outer part of F. falcata shows potential for use in products requiring higher strength, such as lightweight structural components, panels, and raw materials for wood-based composites, although further validation is needed.

Received: 31 July 2025 / Accepted: 25 November 2025 / Available online: 01 December 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Vasil Kolev

Department of Wildlife Management, University of Forestry, 10 St. Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. E-mail: vassilie@abv.bg

The Mandra shemaya is an endemic species of Bulgaria. It is found only in the Mandra Reservoir and in the rivers that flow into it. Information about its biology is important for its conservation and preservation. Due to the lack of detailed data on its population biology, we aimed to study certain population parameters of this species. This study investigates the age structure, growth rate, and condition of Alburnus mandrensis (Drensky, 1943) (commonly known as the Mandra shemaya) in two tributaries of the Mandra Reservoir: Sredetska and Rusokastrenska rivers. Field data were collected  ver four consecutive years (2020–2023), with a total sample of 334 individuals. The primary aim was to assess the speciesʼ growth characteristics and condition in its natural habitat. The majority of specimens were five to seven years old, with the most frequent length group ranging from 101–150 mm. Overall, total length varied between 77 and 223 mm, and total weight ranged from 3.1 to 100.9 g. The relationship between body length (L) and scale radius (S) was expressed as L = 1.4187·S + 26.43 (r² = 0.96), whereas the weight–length (WLR) relationship followed the equation W = 0.0000007·L3.4919 (r² = 0.99). These results suggest a relatively slow growth rate for A. mandrensis. To date, this is the first detailed investigation of this endemic   species within the Mandra Reservoir watershed. 

Received: 13 August 2025 / Accepted: 04 December 2025 / Available online: 10 December 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License