Vegetation features of two vascular plant species presumed extinct and recently rediscovered in the natural habitat of community interest 8320 from Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

Quercus ilex L., an evergreen oak species typical of the western and central Mediterranean basin, is facing decline and dieback episodes due to the increase in the severity and frequency of heat waves and drought events. Studying xylogenesis (the wood formation process) is crucial for understanding how trees respond with their secondary growth to environmental conditions and stress events. This study aimed to characterize the wood formation dynamics of Quercus ilex and their relationship with the meteorological conditions in an area experiencing prolonged drought periods. Cambial activity and xylem cell production were monitored during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons in a Q. ilex forest located at the Vesuvius National Park (southern Italy). The results highlighted the significant roles of temperature and solar radiation in stimulating xylogenesis. Indeed, the correlation tests revealed that temperature and solar radiation positively influenced growth and cell development, while precipitation had an inhibitory effect on secondary wall formation. The earlier cell maturation in 2020 compared to 2019 underscored the impact of global warming trends. Overall, the trees studied demonstrated good health, growth and adaptability to local environmental fluctuations. This research provides novel insights into the intra-annual growth dynamics of this key Mediterranean species and its adaptation strategies to climatic variability, which will be crucial for forest management in the context of climate change.

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Use of Edaphic Bioindicators to Mitigate Environmental Impact and Improve Agricultural Research and Training

Cano-Ortiz,

Piñar Fuentes,

Peña-Martínez

et al. 2024

Soil Systems

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The world is currently experiencing unsustainable development, which poses significant risks to global society. In response, there is a growing advocacy for sustainable development across all sectors, driven by social resilience. This shift is fostering substantial socio-environmental tensions. However, the combined power of scientific research and social education has the potential to reverse this trend. Transitioning from an unsustainable territorial model to a sustainable one is both feasible and economically profitable. This transition can be achieved through knowledge of soil bioindicators, which provide valuable information about soil nutrient content. By understanding these indicators, nutrient inputs can be tailored, reducing or eliminating pollutants such as excessive fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Training experts and raising social awareness through education on new research are essential steps in this process. For decades, it has been recognized that globalization, industrialization, and population growth have driven unsustainable development, leading to degraded agroecosystems. To address this issue, government institutions are promoting sustainability through ecological agriculture and CO2 reduction, both of which can be supported by the use of soil bioindicators.

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Vegetation features of two vascular plant species presumed extinct and recently rediscovered in the natural habitat of community interest 8320 from Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Social Resilience Through the Use of Ecological Bioindicators and Eco-Education

Social Resilience Through the Use of Ecological Bioindicators and Eco-Education

Xylogenesis Responses to a Mediterranean Climate in Holm Oak (Quercus ilex L.)

Use of Edaphic Bioindicators to Mitigate Environmental Impact and Improve Agricultural Research and Training

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