DR. MARKO KAZIMIROVIC AND PROF. DR. BRANKO STAJIĆ RECEIVED THE AWARD FOR THE BEST SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT OF TEACHERS AND ASSOCIATES OF THE UNIVERSITY IN BELGRADE IN 2025. YEARS, IN THE CATEGORY OF THE TECHNICAL-TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCE GROUP

02/09/25

At the proposal of the Jury for the selection of the best scientific or professional achievement of teachers and associates of the University of Belgrade in 2025, the Board of the Veselin Lučić Foundation, at the session held on February 9, 2025, decided to award the VESELIN LUČIĆ AWARD for the best scientific or professional achievement of teachers and associates of the University of Belgrade in 2025, in the categories of the Technical and Technological Sciences group, to Dr. Marko Kazimirović, assistant professor with a doctorate, and Dr. Branko Stajić, full professor at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Forestry, as co-authors of the scientific paper:

“Potential effects of climate change on growth and the implications for conservation of the endangered Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk), Forest Ecosystems journal (2024)

The explanatory note for the award states the following: The paper was published in the prestigious journal Forest Ecosystems, which is categorized as M21a, IF=3.6 for the field of Forestry. The paper represents the first scientific paper that deals in detail with the issue of the impact of predicted climate change on the Serbian endemic species – spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić Purk)). Assessments of the effects of future climate conditions on growth are of essential importance for the future management and conservation of this unique and endangered species from the IUCN Red List. Projections of future growth according to climate change scenarios predict a reduction in future growth of 1/3 to 1/2 compared to the average amount recorded in the past. The above estimates should be viewed as a critical warning signal to the public and decision-makers for an urgent transition from the current passive to proactive protection in order to preserve this unique tree species in our country.