Hooping as an Ancient Remedy for Conservation of Large Masonry Domes

The insertion of metal tie rods all around masonry domes, in order to hoop them and to absorb their horizontal thrusts, is the most ancient traditional strengthening technique for these fascinating structures. In this paper some general consideration on this primeval remedy are presented, starting from the historical and structural analysis of the large XVI century octagonal dome of Madonna dell’Umiltà in Pistoia (Italy). Several hooping systems had been inserted around this dome in different periods and with different techniques, in order to reinforce this weak masonry structure and their tensile stresses have been measured by means of dynamic tests. The results have shown the large differences in the tensile stresses among the different ties, allowing to understand the real contribution of each hooping systems. These data were then used to calibrate a finite element model which, allowed to retrace and quantify from a structural point of view the passage through the centuries of this daring construction and of the efforts made to preserve it up to now. In the paper, the final results are new suggestions on the most efficient way to ensure, once again with hooping ties, the preservation of this monument for the future, starting from empiricism

A phytosociological analysis of abandoned olive-grove grasslands of Ausoni mountains (Tyrrhenian district of Central Italy)

Over the last fifty years, about 80% of Olea europea L. cultivations in the submediterranean belt of Central Italy have been abandoned and they are now subjected to new colonizations from surrounding wild vegetation. A phytosociological study of the main types of grassland communities occurring in this «vanishing» typically mediterranean landscape is presented here. The Ausoni Mountains, a Tyrrhenian coastal chain of central Italy were selected as a study area. Distribution of secondary grassland communities is influenced by the combined action of many factors, such as bioclimatic parameters, soil characteristics, time since abandonment, land use pattern. In the warmest sites, the early successional stages are characterized by Hyparrhenia hirta open dry grasslands. This community is gradually replaced by dense steppe-like grasslands very poor in species, dominated by Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Psoraleo-Ampelodesmetum or less frequently by Hyparrhenia hirta again. Both the inland areas and the north facing slopes are characterized by Festuco-Brometea communities. Perennial grasses, in particular Brachypodium rupestre (Galio-Brachypodietum) dominate these environments, and annual species are confined to restricted areas, such as trampled sites or terrace boundaries (Crucianello-Hypochoeridetum). Two new associations (Galio lucidi-Brachypodietum rupestris and Thymo vulgaris-Hyparrhenietum hirtae ) are presented in this paper

The main plant community types of the alpine belt of the Apennine chain

This paper deals with the occurrence of the main plant community types occurring within the alpine bioclimatic belt in the Central Apennines. The study area was represented by three mountain groups, the Gran Sasso, Maiella and Laga mountains. These three mountain chains are those in which, out of the entire Apennine area, alpine vegetation is best expressed. The vegetation has been investigated following the Braun-Blanquet phytosociological approach. During the field work 135 releves were collected. The raw data were further treated with multivariate analysis procedures to find objective clusters on a statistical basis. Several plant community types, belonging to different phytosociological classes, such as Elyno-Seslerietea, Salicetea herbaceae, Thlaspietea rotundifolii, Asplenietea trichomanis, were identified. In particular two new phytosociological associations, Galio-Silenetum acaulis and Potentillo-Festucetum alfredianae, and several new sub-associations are described in this paper. In order to express the occurrence and autonomy of the Apennine alpine bioclimatic belt also in coenological terms, a new Seslerion apenninae sub-alliance, named Leontopodio-Elynenion, is here proposed

The vegetation of alpine belt karst-tectonic basins in the central Apennines (Italy)

The vegetation communities of the karst-tectonic basins of the Majella massif alpine belt were studied using the phyto sociological methods, and analysed from coenological, synchorological and syntaxonomical viewpoints. During the field-work, 115 releves were performed using the phytosociological approach of Braun-Blanquet, and these releves were further subjected to multivariate analyses. Eight clusters of releves resulted from the numerical classification. The plant communities identified in the study area were ascribed to the following five associations, two sub-associations and one community type: Leontopodio - Seslerietum juncifoliae (ass. nova); Helianthemo - Festucetum italicae (ass. nova); Gnaphalio - Plantaginetum atratae; Taraxaco-Trifolietum thalii gnaphalietosum magellensis (subass. nova),- Luzulo italicae-Nardetum, Carici - Salicetum retusae; Saxifrago - Papaveretum julici, Saxifrago - Papaveretum androsacetosum (subass. nova), Plantago atrata and Leontodon montanus community. The distribution of these communities within the karst basins was found to be related to variations in topographic and geomorphological parameters, such as altitude, slope, soil availability and stoniness. All the new associations proposed in this paper belong to the suballiance Leontopodio-Elynenion and to the alliance Seslerion apenninae, both of which are endemic to the central Apennines. In order to compare the plant community types identified within the Majella massif to similar associations found in the rest of the Apennine chain, synoptic tables were constructed. Finally, a comparative phytogeographical analysis of the alpine belt vegetation of the Apennines, Dinarides, southern Balkans and eastern Alps is presented

Urban and rural green infrastructure.Two projects for the metropolitan city of Rome

Create synergies between green infrastructure, urban and rural areas

Phytosociological features of Adonis distorta and Trifolium noricum subsp. praetutianum, two endemics of the Apennines (peninsular Italy)

We present plant communities in which two endemic taxa of the Apennine mountain chain, Adonis distorta Ten. and Trifolium noricum Wulfen subsp. praetutianum (Savi) Arcang are distributed. Although these taxa occur sporadically in some other Apennine massifs, it is only in the Majella mountain range where these species are physiognomically dominant. Trifolium noricum subsp praetutianum behaves as a differential element in Helianthemo-Festucetum italicae, where it characterizes a new edapho-mesophilous subassociation named Helianthemo alpestris-Festucetum italicae trifolietosum praetutiani. Adonis distorta is linked to specific geo-morphotypes characterised by an alternation of strips of detritus and fine soil particles as well as to distinguishable communities described in this paper as a new association named Ranunculo seguierii-Adonidetum distortae

Mediterranean Waterscapes. Identifying challenges and visions for the future of Campania coastal port-cities

The new challenges that port-cities are facing in the context of global recession, together with a sensible view towards sustainable development, offer the opportunity to reconsider the role of ports in urban areas. If the direct impact of port-related activities has measured a strong weakening, the presence of large port areas still produces strong repercussions on the urban compound. The paper aims to analyse the port-city relation in the Southern Mediterranean context, focusing on the highlight of valuable research-for-design characters. The restricted focus on the Mediterranean city is essential to consider common pre-existent natural conditions and evince the shared historical heritage of urban maritime identity. The selected case study is the metropolitan urbanization of Campania Region, analysed considering a multi-scale paradigm: the region’s Sistema Integrato Portuale, implying effects on the local-territorial scale, need an integrated view, especially considering the updated legislation of Port Authorities. The result will help to identify a set of tools and good practices for the design and planning of port areas, promoting the definition of an efficient infrastructural model, more respectful of the places’ identity and urban maritime landscapes uniqueness

A geobotanical survey on acidophilous grasslands in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Italy)

The acidophilous grasslands of the south-eastern part of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park was studied by the phytosociological method and analyzed from a synecological viewpoint with the help of soil analysis. Four clusters of relevés resulted from the numerical classification. Syntaxonomically they were ascribed to the following associations: Poo violaceae-Nardetum strictae, Potentillo rigoanae-Festucetum paniculatae, Nardo strictae-Brachypodietum genuensis and Potentillo rigoanae-Brachypodietum genuensis. Since the original proposal of all the syntaxa identified in the present study were affected by nomenclatural mistakes, they were corrected in accordance with the rules of ICPN. The occurrence of Anthoxanto-Brachypodietum in central Apennines, is excluded since this association falls in syntaxonomical synonymy with Potentillo-Brachypodietum. The synecological analysis proved that the distribution of the different communities identified within the study area to be correlated with topographic, geomorphological and soil factors. Among these latter, the ratio H+/basic cations, pH behave as the most influencing parameters in the distribution of the communities identified