Conifer afforestations in Italy: an opportunity for wood energy and forest restoration

Bagnato, Silvio; Mercurio, Riccardo; Scarfò, Francesco

doi:10.4129/ifm.2012.2.03

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…This suggests that these experienced gap size are unsuitable for regeneration mainly for the light demanding species like pines as shown in other studies [10,55]. Moreover, the observed mortality and suffering in regeneration of black pine, could be due to shortage of lightbut alsoto the unsuitable ecological sites (low altitude of vegetation at western aspects) worsened by the effect of climate change (drought stress), responsible of the decline of black pine in many areas [56][57][58][59].…”

Section: Natural Regeneration After Gap Cuttingmentioning

confidence: 82%

Black Pine Afforestations in Abruzzo (Central Italy): Perspectives and Management

Mercurio¹,

Schirone²

2015

JESE-A

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Abstract:In Italy, the hydro-geological protection of the Apennine territories is a well-known issue. For this reason, at the end of the 19th century, a new reforestation technique was proposed by the Inspector of Forest Service, Pietro Montanari to cope with difficult soil conditions of the mountain areas. This new approach was the first application of the so-called "gradoni" (small terraces) method of soil preparation. Each "gradone" was 100-120 cm wide and made with a slight counter slope (ca 10-15 degrees) to promote the accumulation of water and organic matter. Along each "gradone", bare root black pine seedlings (Pinus nigra Arn.) were planted at a distance of 1 m from each other with a density of more than 3,000/ha. Nowadays, 19,158 hectares of black pine forests are growing in the Apennine of the Abruzzi region, largely resulting from those reforestation projects realized since the beginning of the 20th century. A case study of Monte Plaia (42°00'12" N 13°53'39" E), that illustrates the situation after 70-110 years in consequence of lacking of silvicultural treatment and the application of aforest restoration method is presented.

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Section: Natural Regeneration After Gap Cuttingmentioning

confidence: 82%

Black Pine Afforestations in Abruzzo (Central Italy): Perspectives and Management

Mercurio¹,

Schirone²

2015

JESE-A

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Management and restoration of Italian afforestations under global change

Marca

Mercurio

Nocentini

2016

REFOR

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As a consequence of past deforestation, degraded areas in Italy have been subjected to afforestation since the beginning of the XXI century. These afforestations have been done mainly with conifers (Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea), and with the aim to 1) protect the soil and to 2) prevent floods. Exotic forest tree species have been used for the afforestation of selected sites of the Apennine. In the case of Douglas fir, it is possible to state that after ninety years the results are very good in terms of both ecological adaptability and high growth-rate.Nowadays, the lack of silvicultural treatments, the ageing processes, insect and fungi outbreaks have led pine afforestations to a condition of an unsteady biological equilibrium in many sites. Moreover, this condition seems to be due to additional factors related to climate change such as wind storms and dryness. The restoration of these pine afforestations is therefore one of the main aims of the present Italian forest management policy which aims to increase their level of resilience. In particular, the priority of the researchers has been given to the most fragile stands where three possible objectives of restoration measures should be considered:To rehabilitate conifer stands by introducing native broadleaves when these stands are in a very degraded condition, and when the local wood energy chain needs to be started;To conserve the conifer stands in the cases where the cultural, aesthetic and recreational functions, are the prevailing obtainable ecosystem services;To foster the mixed stands, with the conifers of the old cycle and native broadleaves, which could increase resilience to the extreme events.In regards of Douglas-fir stands, new silvicultural models have been developed which aim to a) conserve these stands and to b) combine a higher growth rate with a much improved mechanical tree stability.

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Conifer afforestations in Italy: an opportunity for wood energy and forest restoration

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

Black Pine Afforestations in Abruzzo (Central Italy): Perspectives and Management

Black Pine Afforestations in Abruzzo (Central Italy): Perspectives and Management

Management and restoration of Italian afforestations under global change

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