Mediterranean coastal pine forest stands: Understorey distinctiveness or not?

Managing the Early Warning Systems of Invasive Species of Plants, Birds, and Mammals in Natural and Planted Pine Forests

“…We detected general patterns for pine forests. However, specific research is necessary among pine species and forest composition and structure [52,61] in order to make specific management recommendations according to forest characteristics. Estimating the benefits of integrating an invasive species early warning system in forest management is an issue that requires further study.…”

Not just a sandy beach. The multi-service value of Mediterranean coastal dunes

“…Still, among dune ecosystems, wooded dunes provide greater attenuation or dissipation from wind and aerosol influence than the herbaceous habitats (Avis and Lubke, 1996;EEA, 2006). In fact, wooded dunes for their high level of standing biomass and leaf density represent an efficient filter for sea spray (Bonari et al, 2017).…”

“…Experimental research in Central Italy on foredunes evidenced significant biodiversity recovery thanks to enclosures that preserved dune morphology (Santoro et al, 2012b;Prisco et al, 2016). Measures for preserving wooded dunes biodiversity might include selective clearing as a sustainable regeneration treatment for Mediterranean forests (Torras and Saura, 2008), and the recovery of a more complex structure in coastal pine forests to strengthen the role of wind protection and increase biodiversity (Fabbio et al, 2003;Bonari et al, 2017;Botero et al, 2018). Coastal dunes protection should recognise the inter-connectedness of dune successional habitats, and the supply of sand which maintains dunes in healthy condition, and should aim to protect dunes from further encroachment by development pressures (Barbier et al,2011;Liquete et al, 2013).…”

Pine Stand Density Influences the Regeneration of Acacia saligna Labill. H.L.Wendl. and Native Woody Species in a Mediterranean Coastal Pine Plantation

“…Stand density and dominant tree size both contribute to determining the amount of available resources in the understory, thus, affecting the competitive dynamics between woody species and altering the complex balance of facilitation and inhibition interactions [5,7,8,50]. Light, as well as soil water and nutrient content are known to play a crucial role in pine understory dynamics [5,43,51].…”

“…A. saligna has proven to be particularly favoured by high light availability, such as can be found in natural gaps or recently cut areas [29]. However, its regeneration has also been found in high pine densities, underlining its remarkable adaptability to a wide spectrum of light conditions [50]. Furthermore, pine cover may have played a key role in the initial stages of invasion, offering suitable microclimatic conditions for regeneration in the backdunes and providing protection from direct sun exposure, marine salt-spray, and frequent winds, as well as, presumably, higher soil water and nutrient availability [45,51].…”