o:8774 Forest fruit trees in the Pirot surroundings (Serbia), ecological importance and economic potential Шумске воћкарице у околини Пирота (Србија), еколошки значај и економски потенцијал en sr Abstract: The region of Pirot, located in southeastern Serbia, is known for its rich biodiversity and traditional agroforestry practices. Forest fruit trees have a significant role in both the ecological balance and economic sustainability of the area. The aim of this research was to investigate the distribution of forest fruit trees in Pirot surroundings, and promote their conservation and sustainable use in this area. Field research was carried out in the following municipalities: Babušnica, Dimitrovgrad, and Pirot. During the research 31 localities for 11 forest fruit trees were identified: Castanea sativa Mill., Cornus mas L., Corylus avellana L., Corylus colurna L., Juglans regia L., Malus silvestris Mill., Pyrus pyraster L., Prunus avium L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., Sorbus aria L. and Taxus baccata L, of which Cornus mas and Corylus colurna are on the list of protected species in Serbia. For registered forest fruit trees, spatial ecological characteristics were determined, which relate to: dimensions of trees or groups of trees (tree height and diameter), habitat data (coordinates, altitude, exposure and slope), geological background, soil type and forest communities. Ecological importance of forest fruit trees in the Pirot surroundings is reflected primarily through the preservation of biodiversity, ensuring a stable ecosystem (food and habitat for birds, insects and mammals), protecting soil from the occurrence and development of erosion processes, etc.. The forests around Pirot, particularly in Stara Planina, are habitats to studied fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, mentioned in this study, except the species Castanea sativa, which is not indigenous in the study area. In the middle of the last century, forest fruit trees were used in biological erosion control works on Stara Planina. Contour ditches, ditches and terraces were constructed on steep slopes, which were also afforested with forest fruit trees: Castanea sativa, Cornus mas, Corylus avellana, and Juglans regia. The economic value is reflected in the quality of their trees for use in the wood industry, and economic potential in sustainable harvesting of fruits and preparation of homemade products, such as for making juices, jams, rakija, and syrups. Fruits have also medicinal properties, and their extracts are increasingly used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Data on spatial features, spatial-ecological characteristics, and economic value of recorded forest fruit trees advance knowledge about sustainable management of these natural resources, biodiversity conservation, rural development and local entrepreneurship, ensuring long-term benefits for both nature and the local community. 1552100 978-86-903786-2-3 2025-12-21T18:19:02.112Z 44 yes 46 Ljubinko B. Rakonjac 0000-0002-8736-6771 46 Biljana M. Nikolić 0000-0002-2436-8294 46 Marija S. Marković 0000-0002-6070-6844 46 Sabahudin H. Hadrović 0000-0002-4820-7938 46 Natalija R. Momirović 0000-0003-3366-5490 46 Jelena D. Urošević 46 Saša M. Eremija 0000-0002-7365-721X application/pdf 3951271 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8774 no yes 16 70 92000004 71A07 Ethnobotany : book of abstracts / Third conference about medicinal and wild-growing edible plants, Pirot, Serbia, June 26 - 28. 2025. 80 82 Истраживачко друштво "Бабин нос", Темска, Пирот, Институт за шумарство, Београд, Штампарија "Свен", Ниш 2025