Conservation of the Mediterranean coastal pine woodlands: How can management support biodiversity?

Classification of the Mediterranean lowland to submontane pine forest vegetation

“…However, the areas currently occupied by Pinus pinea have been artificially extended (and often heavily managed) in recent times. The structure and floristic composition of these forests is highly influenced by management and human impact (Bonari et al, 2019a). In the tree layer, Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens can occur.…”

“…Our classification includes informal vegetation types comprising old‐established plantations of native pine species, in which natural species composition can develop in the understorey (Bonari et al, 2017, 2019a, 2020). This is in contrast to what happens in the plantations of most non‐native trees (e.g.…”

“…Plantations are easily identified if they occur outside the native distribution range of the dominant pine species, but old plantations in the native range of the pine species may be difficult to distinguish from natural pine forests. Understorey species composition of pine forests varies considerably in response to many factors, including management and disturbances (Farjon & Filer, 2013; Kavgacı et al, 2017; Bonari et al, 2019a).…”

“…Recent research focused on understanding pine forest understories and their dynamics (Zavala & Zea, 2004; Madrigal‐González et al, 2010; Bonari et al, 2017), their habitat types (Bonari et al, 2018) and legislative tools for their conservation (Leone & Lovreglio, 2004). Forestry management practices in pine forests have also been in the spotlight (Granados et al, 2016; Martínez‐Jauregui et al, 2018; Bonari et al, 2019a). While some studies tried to clarify the native range of pine forests (Martínez & Montero, 2004; Bonari et al, 2020), others focused on the plantations and their dynamics, for instance, the expansion of Mediterranean pines from plantations into adjacent natural non‐forest plant communities (Lavi et al, 2005).…”

Long‐term Pinus plantations reduce the bud bank in Cerrado areas

“…Although afforestation by Pinus trees had a positive effect in some European ecosystems, contributing to both biodiversity maintenance (coastal dune vegetation, Bonari et al, 2017Bonari et al, , 2019 as also to its increase (Maestre and Cortina, 2004;Mikulová et al, 2019), the establishment of tree plantations in tropical grassy environments is a threat that has strong negative ecological consequences (Parr et al, 2014). Firstly, soil management by harrowing, and the use of tractors for opening planting lines for the establishment of Pinus stands may have removed a great part of the native herbaceous layer and fragmented most of the below-ground bud-bearing organs near the soil surface.…”