Health Condition of the Forest Vegetation on the Island of Veliki Brijun, National Park Brijuni, Croatia

Abstract

UDK 630*4:502.4(497.5)(210.7 Veliki Brijun)

National park Brijuni is archipelago of two larger islands (Veliki Brijun and Mali Brijun) and twelve smaller islands that is located in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, near the Istria Peninsula. The islands are favorite tourist destination because of the natural beauty of the forest vegetation, picturesque landscape, seacoast and its wildlife. Typical Mediterranean vegetation in National Park Brijuni is forest associations Orno – Quercetum ilicis and its form Orno – Quercetum ilicis laurosum. The health condition of the forest vegetation was observed in eight locations. The disease symptoms were recorded. The samples of the plant material and fungi were collected, brought to the laboratory and analyzed. The preliminary health condition survey showed: leaf spots on Quercus ilex and Laurus nobilis caused by fungus Phyllosticta quercus ilicis Sacc, death of branches and tree tops of Cupressus sempervirens caused by fungus Seiridium cardinale (Wag.) Suton et. Gibson, foliar disease on Pinus halepensis and Pinus brutia caused by fungi Lophodermium pinastri (Schrad. ex Hook) Chev., Lophodermium seditiosum Minter, Staly et Millar, Mycospherella pini Rostrup ap. Munk and Thyriopsis halepensis (Cooke) Thess. et Syd. and insects in the bark and wood on Pinus halepensis and Pinus brutia like Coraebus bifasciatus Herbst, Ips sexdentatus Boern., Tomcus spp., Phaenopis cyanea F., Pissodes spp., Sirex sp., stem damages caused by game on different tree species and serious damage to forest tree species in Quercus ilex stands caused by fungus Phellinus sp. Forest protection measures should be carried out with purpose to control the diseases and damages and to restore the natural ecological balance among wildlife and vegetation.