The 'alnoculture' system in the Ligurian eastern Apennines: archive evidence.

Bertolotto, S.; Cevasco, Roberta; Agnoletti, Mauro; Anderson, S.

doi:10.1079/9780851994208.0189

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…For the Mediaeval period, historical documents indicate that the Aveto and Trebbia Valleys were dominated by monastic settlements which were important centres for the diffusion of agro-silvi-pastoral practices (Menozzi et al, 2007). Mogge di Ertola, in particular, was possibly part of an unusual shifting cultivation practice, mainly described in written sources, involving alder and cereals, called ‘alnoculture’ (Bertolotto and Cevasco, 2000; Cevasco, 2007; Menozzi et al, 2007); palynological evidence of this and other practices have been investigated in the Ligurian Apennines by Molinari (2009). Pollen data from Mogge di Ertola for this time period confirm an increase in anthropogenic activity; however, the pollen indicators do not conform to those indicating pasture (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A palynological contribution to the environmental archaeology of a Mediterranean mountain wetland (North West Apennines, Italy)

et al. 2013

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Within the framework of a regional research project on wetlands as cultural heritage sites, an attempt was made to examine the natural and anthropogenic causes driving the vegetation dynamics and exploitation of a small mountain wetland. To assess its potential use as an archive of the landscape history, an environmental archaeology approach was used: palaeoenvironmental data from traditional pollen sampling by coring were matched with stratigraphic information from an excavation area of several square metres, and plant micro-and macroremain analyses (e.g. pollen assemblages, micro-and macrocharcoal, morphological and dendrochronological features of waterlogged tree trunks) were compared in order to evaluate them as effects of different environmental factors and to pinpoint these factors. In this paper, the focus is set mainly on the results originating from pollen analyses of a core drilled in the peat-bog, a few metres from the stratigraphic excavation. The start of peat deposition, sometimes coinciding with human activity, was dated around 10,000 cal. BP. The impact on the vegetation surrounding the site is clearly recorded in the pollen assemblages only from the Roman period (2010-1820 cal. BP) even though a long history of human presence is archaeologically documented in the area since the Palaeolithic. Since that time, the abrupt decline of fir favoured the final spread of beech which, in turn, in the Middle Ages (1180-790 cal. BP) leaves space to grassland exploitable for pasture and for agro-silvi-pastoral activities. This site has proven to be of great importance for the Holocene history of the silver fir.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A palynological contribution to the environmental archaeology of a Mediterranean mountain wetland (North West Apennines, Italy)

et al. 2013

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“…Alongside alder overrepresentation [25,69,75], these unexpected values may be attributable to different management practices, such as selecting only certain plants (e.g., chestnut) or cutting different species at different times, which could result in differences in pollen production. Moreover, the historical technique of planting alders in chestnut groves (complantazione) is known to improve soil thanks to the symbiotic relationship between alders and nitrogen-fixing [76]. In general, chestnut pollen reaches high values in the sites dominated by Castanea trees (Figures 2 and 5).…”

Section: Mixed Oak Woods (Mxd)-this Group Includes Different Vegetati...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Pollen Representation in NW Italy (Liguria and Piedmont)

et al. 2023

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This research focuses on the recent pollen image of several vegetation types in NW Italy. In 201 arboreal, shrubby, and herbaceous plant populations, pollen samples were taken from moss polsters, and the corresponding vegetation was recorded using the phytosociological method. Since studies on recent pollen rain in the Mediterranean mountains and coast are rare, this research aims to provide new data and tools to better interpret fossil pollen spectra. Pollen analysis provided data for the comparison between surface spectra and vegetation. Davis indices, fidelity, dispersion, and the relation with vegetation data were calculated for each taxon, and PCA was carried out. Most vegetation types are identifiable through the taxa dominating the pollen spectra, as frequently happens in woodlands (e.g., beech woods, chestnut woods, etc.). Characterizing shrubland and certain tree-dominated vegetation types (e.g., Larix forests) through pollen data is more complex. In this regard, Davis indices are particularly useful for identifying pollen/plant association, over- and underrepresentation of pollen, and taxa indicating vegetation types. Pollen threshold values were calculated which allow the assessment of the local presence of a plant. Overall, the achieved results partially confirm those of previous research carried out in the region, greatly expanding the comparisons between several different plant communities and the database in view of future sharing through the EMPD.

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“…These descriptions (called "Consegne") were transcribed by a notary chancellor, had a legal value, and were collected in the agenda for the formation of a Forest Inventory in charge to the Forest Administration of the Kingdom of Sardinia. The Consegne are textual source type that in recent years have provided historical ecology research in the NW Apennines with a reliable sample of hundreds of wooded parcels with the opportunity to localize them and assess the precise environmental content of the site [26,27]. As commonly attested in this type of documents, the language of the oral answers interacts poorly and confusingly with the form and terms proposed by the administration's questionnaire.…”

Section: Wooded Pasture: Looking For the Local Historical Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Archeology of Woodland Ecology: Reconstructing Past Woodmanship Practices of Wooded Pasture Systems in Italy

Moreno¹,

Cevasco²,

Pescini³

et al. 2019

Silvicultures - Management and Conservation

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Recently, the woodmanship practices and localized naturalistic knowledge have been acquired as indispensable for the European forest heritage conservation as well as for restoration of individual woodland landscapes. Minor importance has been given to the historical approach, both in the study of the local resources ecology and of the local societal context. Using the results of a series of case studies-applied to the knowledge and planning of sites that host present (or have hosted in past) wooded pasture systems and their environmental legacy-the chapter shows the interest of the environmental resource archeology (ERA): a "multisource approach" in reconstructing past management systems practices and underpinned lore. ERA is inspired by the method and sources of the English historical ecology and topographical history employing both archives and field evidences (palynology, anthracology, etc.).

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The 'alnoculture' system in the Ligurian eastern Apennines: archive evidence.

Cited by 7 publications

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A palynological contribution to the environmental archaeology of a Mediterranean mountain wetland (North West Apennines, Italy)

A palynological contribution to the environmental archaeology of a Mediterranean mountain wetland (North West Apennines, Italy)

Assessment of Pollen Representation in NW Italy (Liguria and Piedmont)

The Archeology of Woodland Ecology: Reconstructing Past Woodmanship Practices of Wooded Pasture Systems in Italy

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