Ecological assessment of Juniperus turbinata Guss. forest on the Strofades Islands, Ionian Sea, Greece

Abstract

The Strofades Islands form part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. Juniperus turbinata Gussone (syn. Juniperus phoenicea Linnaeus) forests are one of the few remaining high forest forms in Mediterranean. Here, the ecological status and the state of forest regeneration on the Strofades were evaluated to contribute information to their preservation. Seventeen sampling sites were established in the most representative locations. Fourteen sites were dominated by J. turbinata, while the predominant species was Quercus coccifera Linnaeus, accompanied by Phillyrea latifolia Linnaeus and Pistacia lentiscus Linnaeus, in the remaining three sites. Our results showed the presence of poorly formed juniper populations dominated by individuals with multiple trunks and rotting heartwood. Various factors contributed to the absence of regeneration, including poor soil, rocky substrate and grazing activity by a large number of free ranging goats. The broadleaf evergreen species dominated over J. turbinata along the juniper forest boundaries. Our results demonstrate that broadleaved shrubs are favoured, limiting the regeneration of juniper, stressing the importance for implementing forest conservation measures and expanding our knowledge about juniper regeneration processes.

Aspects of Breeding Performance of Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea): The Case of the Largest Colony in Greece

“…These islets show a variety of habitats, such as rocky coastline, broadleaved forest, brushwood, agricultural fields, including cereal cultivations, reedbeds, and sandy beaches, and a Juniperus turbinata Gussone (syn. Juniperus phoenicea Linnaeus) forest, which constitutes one of the few remaining high forest formations of this species in the Mediterranean [26] (Figure 1). The Strofades islands host the largest colony of Scopoli's Shearwater in Greece, with ca.…”

Past, present, and future geographic range of the relict Mediterranean and Macaronesian Juniperus phoenicea complex

“…Juniperus turbinata occurs in the Mediterranean region, mainly on the coast and at low elevations up to about 400 m; in the southernmost localities it can be found in the mountains, up to 2,400 m in the High Atlas, and 1,800-2,000 m in southwest Asia (Boratyński et al, 1992;Browicz & Zieliński, 1982;Charco, 2001;El Bana et al, 2010;Kerfoot & Lavranos, 1984;Lebreton & Rivera, 1989;Quézel & Barbero, 1981;Quézel et al, 1994). At coastal sites, J. turbinata colonizes maritime dunes and/or rocks, growing on either siliceous or calcium substrata (Ayache et al, 2020;Eliçin 1977;Loidi, 2017;Martinis et al, 2018). It forms populations that can be locally extensive.…”

“…It forms populations that can be locally extensive. Inland penetration occurs mostly in maquis and pine or oak forests, and also on the calcareous rocks (Albarreal Núñez & Romero Zarco, 2004;Asensi et al, 2007;Bacchetta, 2006;Capelo et al, 1994;Elmahdy & Mohamed, 2016;Gianguzzi et al, 2012;Martinis et al, 2018;Minissale & Sciandrello, 2013;Quézel & Médail, 2003;Tsiourlis et al, 2016;Vicente Orellana & Galán de Mera, 2019;Zohary, 1973). Some of the southern-European inland localities are considered as occupying tertiary dunes, uplifted during orogeneses (Hidalgo & Pérez Latorre, 2013;Pérez Latorre et al, 2006).…”

“…In the dunes along seashores, it may also be stressed by saltwater infiltration due to high evapotranspiration and the shortage of rainfall resulting from climate warming (Berger & Heurteaux, 1985). The longevity of this species reported to be up to 130 years or more (Martinis et al, 2018) may extend its persistence, but for a relatively short period, mainly due to the frequent rot of the trunks which increases its' susceptibility to wind breakage.…”