Are the ancient forests of the Eastern Po Plain large enough for a long term conservation of herbaceous nemoral species?

Buffa, Gabriella; Villani, Mariacristina

doi:10.1080/11263504.2012.704887

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 65 publications

(55 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, this study also provided new evidence of the biogeographic originality of the Italian sector of the Northern Adriatic Sea, already recognized for other northeastern Italian ecosystems (Buffa & Villani, ). These peculiarities, which contribute to define coastal ecosystems strongly atypical within the Mediterranean context (Buffa, Mion, Gamper, Ghirelli, & Sburlino, ; Buffa et al., ; Gamper et al., ; : Sburlino et al., , ), were previously highlighted by Béguinot (, ), and later by Marcello ().…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

Vecchio

Fantinato

Janssen

et al. 2018

Applied Vegetation Science

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Question: Coastal environments have often been described as azonal. While this characteristic is clear for the foredune system, it seems less evident for more inland fixed dunes, which host habitats of major conservation concern, whose features seem to be more related to local climatic conditions. We hypothesized that, unlike other coastal habitats, dune perennial grasslands differ floristically and structurally across their European range and that patterns of variation are linked to the corresponding climate. Location: European coasts (Atlantic Ocean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black Sea). Methods: We used a large data set of phytosociological relevés, representative of coastal grasslands throughout their European range. The role of climatic variables (temperature, precipitation and continentality) in determining the variability in species composition and vegetation structure (by means of life forms) was investigated through CCA, DCA and GLM. The degree of concentration of species occurrences within groups was calculated through the Phi coefficient.Results: Through multivariate analyses we identified seven major types of coastal grassland, corresponding to different geographic areas. The groups significantly differed in their climatic envelope, as well as in their species composition and community structure. Conclusion:Our results confirm the hypothesis that coastal dune perennial grasslands are subjected to local climate, which exerts significant effects on both floristic composition and community structure. As a consequence, coastal grasslands are particularly prone to the effect of possible climate change, which may alter species composition and distribution, and lead to shifts in the distribution of native plant communities. K E Y W O R D S

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

Vecchio

Fantinato

Janssen

et al. 2018

Applied Vegetation Science

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“…The synergy of all these features makes possible the presence of a wide range of species with different geographical distribution encompassing temperate, Mediterranean, western, eastern and mountain species (the latter mainly in the Northernmost part of the coast, carried downwards by torrential rivers like the Tagliamento and the Piave). This singular phytogeographic blend, also recognized for other north-eastern Italian ecosystems (Buffa & Villani, 2012), greatly increases the floristic value of this area, contributing to define plant communities and systems not found elsewhere (Lorenzoni, 1983;Buffa et al, 2007). The sandy coastal system begins with the pioneer, nitrophilous community dominated by annuals of the strandline zone (Salsolo kali-Cakiletum maritimae plant community); being exposed to wave inundation, salt spray and wind stress, the community is often patchy and fragmented.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Disturbance on Sandy Coastal Ecosystems of N-Adriatic Coasts (Italy)

Buffa¹,

Fantinato²,

Pizzo³

2012

Biodiversity Enrichment in a Diverse World

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“…Honnay et al 1999;Buffa and Villani 2012) patch area may act as a surrogate for patch characteristics as larger woods will contain a wider range of habitat conditions than smaller ones and also have a higher probability of containing good quality habitat, in line with the general principles from species-area relationships (Arrhenius 1921) and island biogeography (MacArthur and Wilson 1967). The presence of good quality habitat is a key factor determining species richness and abundance across all taxa whether that be for birds (Mortelliti et al 2010), mammals (Mortelliti 2013) and plants (Buffa and Villani 2012) in fragmented Italian woodland, woodland birds (Dolman et al 2007) and small mammals (Fitzgibbon 1997) in farm woodlands in the UK, or carabid beetles and butterflies in farm woodlands in Scandinavia (Berg et al 2011) and the UK (Usher et al 1993). Assessments of species responses to patch characteristics were included in all cryptogam studies and over 85 % of studies recorded significant findings.…”

Section: Relative Influence Of Patch Area Patch Characteristics and mentioning

confidence: 94%

What can studies of woodland fragmentation and creation tell us about ecological networks? A literature review and synthesis

et al. 2014

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The development of ecological networks could help reverse the effects of habitat fragmentation on woodland biodiversity in temperate agricultural landscapes. However, efforts to create networks need to be underpinned by clear evidence of the relative efficacy of local (e.g. improving or expanding existing habitat patches) versus landscape-scale actions (e.g. creating new habitat or corridors in the landscape matrix). Using cluster analyses we synthesised the findings of 104 studies, published between 1990 and 2013 focusing on the responses of woodland vascular plant, vertebrate, cryptogam and invertebrate species to local and landscape variables. Species responses (richness, diversity, occurrence) were strongly influenced by patch area, patch characteristics (e.g. stand structure) and isolation (e.g. distance between habitat patches). Patch characteristics were of overriding importance for all species groups, especially cryptogams. Many studies recording significant species responses to patch characteristics did not record significant responses to patch area and vice versa, suggesting that patch area may sometimes act as a surrogate for patch characteristics (i.e. larger patches being of ‘better quality’). Ecological continuity was important for vascular plants, but assessed in only a few vertebrate and invertebrate studies. Matrix structure (e.g. presence of corridors) was important for vertebrates, but rarely assessed for other species groups. Actions to develop ecological networks should focus on enhancing the quality and/or size of existing habitat patches and reducing isolation between patches. However, given that very few studies have assessed all local and landscape variables together, further information on the relative impacts of different attributes of ecological networks in temperate agricultural landscapes is urgently needed

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Are the ancient forests of the Eastern Po Plain large enough for a long term conservation of herbaceous nemoral species?

Cited by 18 publications

References 65 publications

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

Effects of Disturbance on Sandy Coastal Ecosystems of N-Adriatic Coasts (Italy)

What can studies of woodland fragmentation and creation tell us about ecological networks? A literature review and synthesis

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