Picea omorika: Biology, Ecology, Genetics and Conservation of the Serbian Spruce

The Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) is one of Europe’s most iconic endangered tree species and one of the most important conifers for understanding forest biodiversity, climate adaptation, and conservation genetics. Endemic to a small region of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, this Tertiary relict species represents a living connection to Europe’s geological and climatic past, offering critical lessons for the future management and conservation of forest ecosystems. Drawing upon more than 150 years of research and nearly 1,000 scientific references, this book provides the first comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on Serbian spruce. It explores the species’ discovery, evolutionary origin, morphology, anatomy, physiology, ecology, genetic diversity, adaptive capacity, and conservation status. Detailed coverage of natural populations, habitat conditions, biogeography, forest genetic resources, comparative studies with related conifers, international trials, and ornamental forms and cultivars delivers an integrated perspective unavailable in previous publications. Particular emphasis is placed on conservation genetics, biodiversity protection, climate-change impacts, species resilience, and evidence-based strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation. By integrating historical knowledge with contemporary ecological, genetic, and conservation research, the book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding both the remarkable persistence and the current vulnerability of this relict conifer. Written for researchers, graduate students, foresters, conservation practitioners, environmental scientists, and biodiversity managers, this authoritative resource establishes Serbian spruce as a model species for studying endangered forest trees, conserving genetic diversity, and developing science-based conservation strategies in a rapidly changing world.