Close-to-Nature Silviculture to Maintain a Relict Population of White Oak on Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy): Preliminary Results of a Peculiar Case Study

Sferlazza, Sebastiano; Londi, Guglielmo; Veca, Donato Salvatore La Mela; Maetzke, Federico Guglielmo; Vinciguerra, Salvatore; Spampinato, Giovanni

doi:10.3390/plants12102053

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…Additionally, the climate crisis has undeniably contributed to an increase in the number, intensity, and relative risk of forest fires (Bacciu et al, 2012). These mounting pressures are driving substantial changes in the species composition of historic Italian forest stands (Di Pasquale et al, 2020;Pecchi et al, 2020;Sferlazza et al, 2023). The rapid pace of these complex transformations surpasses the potential for evolutionary adaptation (Lindner et al, 2010;Trumbore et al, 2015) and migration processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altitudinal shifting of major forest tree species in Italian mountains under climate change

Noce,

Cipriano,

Santini

2023

Front. For. Glob. Change

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Climate change has profound implications for global ecosystems, particularly in mountainous regions where species distribution and composition are highly sensitive to changing environmental conditions. Understanding the potential impacts of climate change on native forest species is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. Despite numerous studies on climate change impacts, there remains a need to investigate the future dynamics of climate suitability for key native forest species, especially in specific mountainous sections. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by examining the potential shifts in altitudinal range and suitability for forest species in Italy's mountainous regions. By using species distribution models, through MaxEnt we show the divergent impacts among species and scenarios, with most species experiencing a contraction in their altitudinal range of suitability whereas others show the potential to extend beyond the current tree line. The Northern and North-Eastern Apennines exhibit the greatest and most widespread impacts on all species, emphasizing their vulnerability. Our findings highlight the complex and dynamic nature of climate change impacts on forest species in Italy. While most species are projected to experience a contraction in their altitudinal range, the European larch in the Alpine region and the Turkey oak in the Apennines show potential gains and could play significant roles in maintaining wooded populations. The tree line is generally expected to shift upward, impacting the European beech—a keystone species in the Italian mountain environment—negatively in the Alpine arc and Northern Apennines, while showing good future suitability above 1,500 meters in the Central and Southern Apennines. Instead, the Maritime pine emerges as a promising candidate for the future of the Southern Apennines. The projected impacts on mountain biodiversity, particularly in terms of forest population composition, suggest the need for comprehensive conservation and management strategies. The study emphasizes the importance of using high-resolution climate data and considering multiple factors and scenarios when assessing species vulnerability. The findings have implications at the local, regional, and national levels, emphasizing the need for continued efforts in producing reliable datasets and forecasts to inform targeted conservation efforts and adaptive management strategies in the face of climate change.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Altitudinal shifting of major forest tree species in Italian mountains under climate change

Noce,

Cipriano,

Santini

2023

Front. For. Glob. Change

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“…Moreover, the intensity and spatial variability of thinning interventions and the resulting canopy gaps’ heterogeneity can significantly affect the success of regeneration processes, which in turn also depend on species-specific dispersal features [ 14 ]. This issue is of major importance for the maintenance of stable and functional stands, especially in close-to-nature silviculture, which also aims at the conservation of and/or the improvement in biodiversity [ 15 ]. In this regard, the analysis of spatial patterns at the stand level and among different stages of development has proved useful in providing insights into the impact of past forest management [ 10 ] and to eventually assist in modulating silvicultural treatments over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Tree Growth Response to Management History and Climate in Multi-Aged Stands of Pinus pinea L.

Garfì,

Garfì

2023

Plants

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The possible differential response to the climatic fluctuations of co-occurring trees of different ages is still poorly known and rather controversial. Moreover, in managed forests, such a picture is further complicated by the impact of silvicultural practices. With this concern, in a multi-aged umbrella pine stand in the Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany, Italy), the spatial patterns and tree-ring response to the climate were investigated by differentiating trees into three classes, i.e., young, mature, and old. The aim was to assess the role of past management in shaping the current stand structure and affecting the growth dynamics at different ages, as well as to evaluate the possible shifting of tree adaptation to the climatic variables throughout plant aging. Our outcomes proved that the current mosaic of even-aged small patches results from a multifaceted forest management history. Until the 1960s, silvicultural treatments seemed more suitable in promoting tree growth and regeneration. Later on, inappropriate and/or untimely thinning probably triggered excessive competition from the top canopy trees, involving reduced stem and root system development in the younger plants living in the understory. Also, the intra-annual growth response to the climate showed some dependence on age. Younger trees are assumed not to be able to efficiently exploit water resources from the deep aquifer during the dry season, probably due to an insufficiently developed taproot, differently than older trees. Accordingly, appropriate and timely thinning, simulating frequent natural disturbances on small areas, could be a suitable management approach to promote sustained growth rates and regeneration processes, as well as healthy and vital trees at all life stages.

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Plant diversity in old-growth woods: the case of the forest edges of the Favorita Park in Palermo (north-western Sicily, Italy)

Gianguzzi,

Caldarella,

Campisi

et al. 2024

Plant Sociology

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This article presents the results of a study on plant diversity at different levels in residual forest stands, located in the historical Favorita Park in Palermo, Italy (established and named in 1799 by King Ferdinand IV of the House of Bourbon). These forest aspects have naturally evolved for over two centuries, under minimal conditions of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. deforestation, fires, grazing activities, etc.). This is especially true in the area known as “Bosco Niscemi”, spread over about 8.5 hectares, in the centre of the park. Bosco Niscemi is characterized by the widespread presence of old trees, abundant necromass and litter. In this study, four different soil profiles were analysed, and classified as follows: (i) Solimovic Regosol (Arenic); ii) Eutric Arenosol (Chromic); (iii) and (iv) Skeletic Regosol (Ochric). From a phytosociological point of view, four forest communities have been identified, two of which are described as new associations (Viburno tini-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova and Teucrio flavi-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova). The species richness was also found to be noteworthy, with the co-occurrence of several taxa (phanerogams and cryptogams) that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily, including: i) vascular flora (e.g. Viburnum tinus and Arbutus unedo, both very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily); ii) bryophytes [Cryphaea heteromalla (new record of a very rare species in Sicily) as well as Hypnum cupressiforme and Leptodon smithii, also never previously found at such low altitudes]; iii) lichens (e.g. Bacidia rosella, Gyalecta derivata, Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana); iv) mushrooms (e.g. Eichleriella leucophaea, only known location in Italy). Based on the scientific documentation produced in this study, these woods can be reported as “old-growth forests” to be included in the “National Network” that has been recently established in Italy (Ministerial Decree of 23 June 2023). This area might serve as an ideal control for urban environmental studies, given its pristine ecological setting.

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Close-to-Nature Silviculture to Maintain a Relict Population of White Oak on Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy): Preliminary Results of a Peculiar Case Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 93 publications

Altitudinal shifting of major forest tree species in Italian mountains under climate change

Altitudinal shifting of major forest tree species in Italian mountains under climate change

Differential Tree Growth Response to Management History and Climate in Multi-Aged Stands of Pinus pinea L.

Plant diversity in old-growth woods: the case of the forest edges of the Favorita Park in Palermo (north-western Sicily, Italy)

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