Phytosociological study of beech and beech-mixed woods in Monti Sibillini National Park (central Apennines, Italy)

The results of a phytosociological survey of the woods mainly growing on limestones in the Southern part of the Marches Region (Central Italy), that is part of the Monti Sibillini National Park, are here presented. This area is characterized by a temperate climate (upper mesotemperate and lower/upper supratemperate bioclimatic belts). In order to study the vegetation, 173 phytosociological relevés were carried out through the Braun-Blanquet methodology. All the data obtained were submitted to multivariate analysis. The phytosociological analysis is characterized in nine associations, whereof three are of new description (Lathyro veneti-Fagetum sylvaticae hieracietosum murorum, Cardamino kitaibelii-Fagetum sylvaticae corallorhizetosum trifidae and Cardamino kitaibelii-Fagetum sylvaticae anemonetosum nemorosae)

Plant species diversity and distribution along environmental gradients in a submediterranean forest landscape (central Italy)

A survey of a submediterranean forest landscape in central Italy was carried out to assess floristic diversity and species ecological behaviour in relation to some environmental gradients (altitude, aspect, light intensity on the undergrowth, soil pH, nitrogen content and texture). Diversity indices (species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Evenness) trends, calculated in relation to environmental parameters, showed to be mostly related to stress gradients. The highest diversity, in fact, is linked to the least stressful conditions. Redundancy analysis (RDA) allowed to identify six species sets, related to the environmental parameters, which were tested through bioindication values analysis. Intensity of stress factors and their combination select one or more groups of specieswithdifferentecologicalbehaviour, leading to the local floristic differentiation of plant communities. This approach may be useful to predict floristic variation of forest ecosystems as a consequence of increasing stress levels, such as drought stress due to climatic changes, to the definition of plant diversity conservation guidelines and for biodiversity monitoring

Seedling survival and dynamics of upper timberline in central Apennines

Despite several studies on the timberline dynamics in Europe were carried out in the last decades, very few papers refer to mountain areas where the timberline is composed of broadleaved trees, and no research was conducted on the dynamics of Apennine beech timberline in relation to seedling survival. The research aim was to analyse the beech wood timberline dynamics in the central Apennines, with reference to seedling survival. Furthermore, factors affecting seedling survival were identified. To assess the forest ecotone dynamics, vegetation layer cover, rock fragment cover and information about forest management and krummholz occurrence were collected in sampling plots placed over 1,600 m a.s.l., on north-facing slopes. The beech seedlings occurring in Brachypodium genuense-dominated stands above the timberline were counted and monitored along two growing seasons. Soil temperature, soil moisture, and photosynthetically active radiation available for seedlings (PHAR) in grasslands above timberline were measured. The research outputs indicate that timberline is not a natural boundary and that there is no evidence of its extension upwards. The greatest number of beech seedlings was recorded in late spring. The one-year mortality rate ranged from 71 to 100%. None of the seedlings still alive in the early autumn of the first year were recorded in the following spring. The competitive exclusion by Brachypodium genuense individuals, which limit the incident PHAR, and the low soil moisture during summer, were identified as the main factors that account for the high mortality of seedlings and affect beech regeneration above timberline. The effect of competition is probably intensified by the lack of pioneer shrubs which could otherwise serve as nurse plants for beech seedlings and protect them from browsing by wild ungulates. Thus, both the current and the past land use may be considered as driving forces in timberline dynamics. Probably, also the trend of global warming, that in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean climatic context would determine the increase of summer drought stress, could worsen the effect of competitive exclusion of beech seedlings, so that it can be hypothesized that the expansion upwards of the upper timberline in the Apennines could be totally blocked

Regeneration of Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. forest after coppicing: modelling of changes in species diversity and composition

In temperate forest ecosystems, management is one of the most relevant factors that can drive the temporal pattern of species. As species in an ecosystem show susceptibility to stress and disturbance, it is useful to take into account the plant community "compositional dimension", which derives from species behaviour and ecological attributes and provides information on the mechanisms underlying species assemblages. Taking into account the influence of environmental factors on species diversity and composition, in order to determine the most suitable ecological behaviour type of each species, the research aim was to generate a model for Ostrya carpinifolia coppiced woods (central Italy) that describes forest ecosystem regeneration after coppicing by the assessment of change in the composition of ecological behaviour types. Vascular species cover percentage, field data, soil data, light intensity at the undergrowth, dominant tree layer cover and time since last logging were recorded for 63 plots covering 400 m2 each (20 x 20 m), randomly selected within a set of homogeneous macro-environmental conditions. Low species richness is related to stressing factors (acid soil, high soil skeleton percentage), while high species richness is linked to high light intensity at the undergrowth level due to scarce canopy cover soon after coppicing. The driving forces affecting floristic composition, highlighted through multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP) were light intensity at the undergrowth, regenerative phase, dominant tree layer cover, acidity, presence/absence of outcropping rock or rock fragments and total nitrogen content. Six species groups, each one characterized by homogeneous ecological behaviour, were defined by indicator species analysis (ISA) and tested using bioindication values analysis. Floristic successional change, related to time since last coppicing, turned out to follow an ecological cycling process characterized by cyclical occurrence/disappearance of species belonging to the six groups

Context-dependent effects of abandonment vs. grazing on functional composition and diversity of sub-Mediterranean grasslands

Though the interplay of grazing intensity and the availability of resources is a key driver in grassland composition, very few studies focused on trait changes after abandonment along productivity gradients. Through a comparative approach, we aimed to assess the context-dependent effects of long-term grazing cessation on functional composition and diversity in sub-Mediterranean grasslands. We hypothesized that variability of topography, soil and vegetation structure on a fine scale drives the trait-based dynamics after long-term abandonment, also influencing the patterns of functional diversity. On a calcareous mountain ridge of central Italy, we collected data on species cover and traits, site characteristics, soil depth and vegetation structure in 0.5 m × 0.5 m plots located in extensively grazed pastures and in grasslands abandoned since the early 1970s. We analysed patterns of species and traits in relation to environmental variables and management type, and trends in functional diversity (FD, Rao’s quadratic entropy) along a productivity gradient. We found that grazing cessation reduced the overall FD and that the direction of species and trait response after long-term grazing cessation were affected, on a fine scale, by the soil depth / productivity gradient. In dryer conditions, species and functional responses were less affected by abandonment, and were devoted to resistance to both stress and disturbance. In abandoned pastures we detected a significant decrease in FD with increasing productivity, leading to a shift from functional strategies devoted to grazing avoidance and tolerance to those devoted to competition for light and resource acquisition. This trend was related to the filtering effect of coarse tall grasses, which spread in highly productive conditions. In grazed grasslands, we detected an overall increasing trend of FD with increasing productivity, confirming the key role of extensive grazing in maintaining high levels of FD

Monitoring of Alarm Reactions of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in a Captive Population in Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park

Simple Summary After several years of inappropriate management, the pasture inside the enclosure for captive red deer in Paneveggio Pale di San Martino regional Park (TN, Italy) lost its nutritional value, due to the expansion of unpalatable tall grasses. Therefore, several measures to restore a suitable pasture composition were needed. The mowing activity represents a disturbance for the captive deer, which negatively affects the animals' well-being. To establish the more appropriate times/days to perform activities inside the enclosure, we observed the alarm reactions and relative intensity of animals exposed to different visual stimuli presented inside and outside the enclosure. Some differences were highlighted between the males and the nursery (females and fawns) groups. Considering the deer biology and the studied location, the best months in which it would be possible to plan activities inside the enclosure are March, April (if the snow is not present) and August. Data elaboration suggests that the best day to perform activities inside the enclosure is Wednesday because the animals showed less sensitivity to disturbances; Tuesday and Thursday may also be considered additional suitable days. The study analyzes red deer responses to disturbances during the day and different exposures to tourists, to establish the more appropriate times to carry out activities inside the Paneveggio deer enclosure. The alarm reactions of red deer were observed after presenting different types of visual stimuli inside and outside the fence, in order to answer some questions: Which stimuli produce the strongest reactions from the animals? Do animals differently react to stimuli presented outside and inside the fence? On which days and times are the animals more sensitive to disturbances? Are there different reactions between the males and females? The results suggest that the red deer adversely react to the disturbance at different degrees of intensity in relation to day, sex, tourist and where the stimuli are presented. It was observed that during the days with the highest tourist presence, the animals were particularly alarmed; discomfort accumulation produced the highest number of alarm reactions on Monday. For these reasons, it would be opportune to manage the pasture on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, scheduled at specific times of day, preferably far from the estimated presence of tourists

Consumer Liking and Value Perception of Mountain Cheese from Different Pasture Periods: Evidence for Mountain Systems Supporting Policies

Every year, mountain pastures show a progressive impoverishment of forage. The loss in grassland feed value restricts the production period of local Pecorino cheeses, which strongly depend on the vegetative cycle of the pasture linked to climatic conditions. The Monte Fietone mountain area (Macerata, Italy) has emblematic pasture flora during spring and early summer. This unique environment is normally used for rearing sheep, allowing regular production of local Pecorino cheeses from their milk, which is rich in vitamins and intrinsic floral aromas. Biologists and agronomists are giving increasing importance to these mountain food products. We conducted sensorial tests and experimental auctions to investigate recognition of the quality of this rare artisanal product. The results indicate considerable potential for economic differentiation. Accordingly, we recommend useful and applicable marketing and policy actions to support the sustainability of mountain grazing systems

Contributo alla quantificazione della fitomassa epigea di alcuni pascoli dell’Appennino umbro-marchigiano (Italia centrale)

Il presente studio rappresenta un primo approccio alla descrizione, in termini quantitativi, della risorsa foraggera ovvero della produttività che caratterizza alcune tipologie di pascolo nell’Appennino Umbro-Marchigiano. Seppur ancora perfettibili i risultati ottenuti sono coerenti con l’ipotesi di base e cioè con la constatazione che la produttività aumenta passando dalle comunità xeriche a quelle semimesofile ed ai prati-pascolo. La produttività dipende infatti, da diverse variabili quali: disponibilità di risorse ambientali, intensità con cui le diverse componenti delle piante vengono consumate dagli erbivori (GRIME, 2001), composizione floristica del pascolo (le specie vegetali influenzano la fisionomia e la struttura architettonica del manto erboso e quindi la produzione), caratteristiche geomorfologiche, pedologiche e climatiche del sito di studio, ecc