Beech forest coppice with-standards systems in the Marches Region (Central Italy) are characterized by small units (<1ha), recently (≈1930) deployed to coppicing, with an increasing abandonment since the 60’s, and its lately revival for biofuel. Evidences show that a mosaic of exploited - non exploited patches could maintain a good forest species pool (Garadnai et al. 2010). Structural and plant species surveys were performed on 80 plots (20x20 m) by a stratified design (age since last coppicing, substrate and elevation); 57 plots were re-sampled in 2011, and structured interviews to cutters conducted. We set age groups: post logged (1-16 yrs), recovering (17-31 yrs), old (32-95 yrs), and classified species in Social Behaviour Types: SBT1 beech specialist, SBT2 forest generalist, and SBT3 open habitat (Bartha et al. 2008; Canullo et al. 2011). Results. SBT1 increase along the temporal gradient, SBT2 is almost constant, SBT3 strongly reduced. Community changes occurred between 2006- 2011: differences in the understory species composition are driven by tree canopy cover and, secondarily, slope and aspect. Cutters’ decisions are not based on the canopy cover: productivity thresholds are derived from age, height, diameter (indirectly indicating canopy closure). Disturbance affects a stand after it has consolidated its sub-optimal forest habitat conditions for SBT1 species: tree canopy cover stabilizes approximately 10 years before users usually decide cutting (24-28 yrs). Stands of age between 16 and 24-28 yrs probably develop crucial habitats for the survival and reproduction of forest generalist and beech specialist species, even during periods or within patches of active coppicing.

Coppice rotation on beech forests: some effect on plant species diversity

CANULLO, Roberto;CERVELLINI, MARCO;SIMONETTI, ENRICO;CAMPETELLA, Giandiego
2015-01-01

Abstract

Beech forest coppice with-standards systems in the Marches Region (Central Italy) are characterized by small units (<1ha), recently (≈1930) deployed to coppicing, with an increasing abandonment since the 60’s, and its lately revival for biofuel. Evidences show that a mosaic of exploited - non exploited patches could maintain a good forest species pool (Garadnai et al. 2010). Structural and plant species surveys were performed on 80 plots (20x20 m) by a stratified design (age since last coppicing, substrate and elevation); 57 plots were re-sampled in 2011, and structured interviews to cutters conducted. We set age groups: post logged (1-16 yrs), recovering (17-31 yrs), old (32-95 yrs), and classified species in Social Behaviour Types: SBT1 beech specialist, SBT2 forest generalist, and SBT3 open habitat (Bartha et al. 2008; Canullo et al. 2011). Results. SBT1 increase along the temporal gradient, SBT2 is almost constant, SBT3 strongly reduced. Community changes occurred between 2006- 2011: differences in the understory species composition are driven by tree canopy cover and, secondarily, slope and aspect. Cutters’ decisions are not based on the canopy cover: productivity thresholds are derived from age, height, diameter (indirectly indicating canopy closure). Disturbance affects a stand after it has consolidated its sub-optimal forest habitat conditions for SBT1 species: tree canopy cover stabilizes approximately 10 years before users usually decide cutting (24-28 yrs). Stands of age between 16 and 24-28 yrs probably develop crucial habitats for the survival and reproduction of forest generalist and beech specialist species, even during periods or within patches of active coppicing.
2015
978-80-7509-247-2
Coppice forests: past, present and future
274
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11581/387540
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