Former charcoal kiln platforms as microhabitats affecting understorey vegetation in Mediterranean forests

Carrari, Elisa; Ampoorter, Evy; Verheyen, Kris; Coppi, Andrea; Selvi, Federico

doi:10.1111/avsc.12238

Cited by 30 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…In the latter forest type, kiln platforms also affected the composition in woody species, in line with previous studies on the understorey in mixed oak stands of the same area (Carrari et al 2016a), as well as in beech forests of Germany (Wittig et al 1999). Interestingly, no selection effect seems to occur at this early stage of regeneration, since the species recorded have different ecological requirements and functional traits, especially in thermophilous oak forests (Carrari et al 2016b).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Recent findings have proven that kiln platforms are microhabitats which favor species diversity in the understory (Carrari et al 2016a). The results of our models revealed that various factors significantly affect woody species composition in the understory, among which herb cover.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The relatively small size and the general shape of the platforms did not allow the adoption of larger quadrats, which would have included the kiln-forest edge. Light conditions (Photosyntetic Active Radiation, PAR), herbaceous cover and soil factors were measured following the protocol described in Carrari et al (2016a); observations on the soil profile were also conducted in each quadrat.…”

Section: Field Sampling Design and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the present-day vegetation of these sites has been rarely investigated in Europe (Wittig et al 1999, Carrari et al 2016a, and no studies focused on the tree regeneration and forest recolonization processes in charcoal platforms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Successful recolonization of charcoal platforms by woody species is expected because of the apparently favorable conditions such as the low degree of rockiness, flat terrain and often a higher availability of light (Carrari et al 2016a). On the other hand, adult trees are usually absent in most of the platforms, even in those abandoned several decades ago.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Former charcoal platforms in Mediterranean forest areas: a hostile microhabitat for the recolonization by woody species

Carrari¹,

Ampoorter²,

Verheyen³

et al. 2017

iForest

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Production of wood charcoal is a traditional form of forest use that lasted for millennia in the Mediterranean countries. Following their almost complete abandonment in the last century, thousands of old charcoal platforms remain in present-day forest landscapes. These sites are characterized by peculiar ecological conditions, whose effects on the recolonization by woody plants are still unknown. We examined 61 platforms in evergreen sclerophyllous woodlands and deciduous broadleaf forests with oaks and beech, spread over a wide geographic range in Tuscany (Italy). At each site, one kiln plot (on charcoal platform) and one control plot (in the adjacent stand) were established, and soil, light conditions and herb cover were measured. We examined species richness and composition of trees and shrubs in the understorey layer (<1.3 m) and in the "established regeneration" layer (> 1.3-4 m). In the latter, structural parameters such as number of stools, dbh, mean height and number of stems were compared. The density of seedlings of dominant tree species in the understorey was also measured in a subsample of sites per forest type. In the understorey, a general positive effect of kiln platforms was found on species richness at both the habitat and plot-scale level, as well as on species composition, especially in oak forests. Increased light availability, total C content and soil pH were positively related with species richness, while N content was a negative predictor. Density of seedlings was not substantially affected. Contrastingly, woody species richness in the established regeneration layer was considerably lower in the kiln plots of all three forest types. In sclerophyllous forests, all species in this layer were taller, denser and with a higher basal area compared to control plots, while regeneration was completely lacking on platforms of the two other forest types. Soil N content had a positive influence on structural parameters, while total C content resulting from charcoal accumulation had a negative influence. We conclude that charcoal platforms are a favorable microhabitat only in the first regeneration stages of woody species, as their further growth is hindered by long-term effects that should be investigated with an experimental approach.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Field Sampling Design and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Former charcoal platforms in Mediterranean forest areas: a hostile microhabitat for the recolonization by woody species

Carrari¹,

Ampoorter²,

Verheyen³

et al. 2017

iForest

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Large‐scale mapping of anthropogenic relief features—legacies of past forest use in two historical charcoal production areas in Germany

et al. 2020

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With the increasing availability of high‐resolution digital elevation models (DEMs), large‐scale mapping of anthropogenic relief features has become feasible for more areas. However, the landscape‐scale distribution patterns of anthropogenic landforms and the quality of DEM‐based mapping can be highly heterogeneous. In this study, we mapped relict charcoal hearths (RCHs) in two study regions with differing environmental backgrounds, covering forest areas of more than 15,000 km2, analyzed the RCH distributions and evaluated possibilities for predictive modeling of RCH occurrence with respect to natural and cultural landscape structures. More than 45,000 RCHs were recorded in each region, with high site densities even in areas remote from charcoal‐consuming industries. Variations in the quality of DEM‐based mapping were related to small‐scale differences in the DEM quality and larger‐scale substrate heterogeneity. A clear association between RCHs and historical industrial sites was found in the Northern European Lowland; while the density of mapped RCHs was predominantly related to geology and morphology in the lower mountain ranges. The results show that variations in mapping quality across scales and the natural and cultural background of a region need to be considered so that the mapping of anthropogenic relief features can contribute to an improved understanding of land‐use history.

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An initiative for a morphologic‐genetic catalog of relict charcoal hearths from Central Europe

et al. 2020

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The increasing availability of high-resolution topographic data, coupled with image analysis and machine learning techniques, is rapidly changing the way archaeological sites are digitally identified and mapped. We present a catalog of common forms of relict charcoal hearths (RCHs) in Central Europe to improve the evaluation of morphologic and genetic features in future mapping approaches. RCHs are important historical landscape features created from the production of charcoal. RCHs are noted in Central Europe from the Medieval Period, but also are widespread near (pre-)industrial mining centers. Different forms of charcoal hearths were created by workers known as colliers, and their hearth building techniques may have differed on a regional scale. Our catalog is based on a morphologic-genetic grouping of RCHs. Due to topographic effects, reuse of production sites, or local techniques, this catalog is nonexhaustive, but most RCHs in Central Europe can be grouped into one of seven types. K E Y W O R D S anthropogenic relief features, charcoal kilns, charcoal pits, digital mapping, pre-industrial charcoal production platforms 1 | INTRODUCTION The study of relict charcoal hearths (RCHs), also referred to as charcoal kiln sites, is an emerging topic in environmental sciences and archaeology. The charcoal/biochar enriched substrate found in these sites not only affects carbon sequestration in soils (Kerré, Bravo, Leifeld, Cornelissen, &

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Former charcoal kiln platforms as microhabitats affecting understorey vegetation in Mediterranean forests

Cited by 30 publications

References 64 publications

Former charcoal platforms in Mediterranean forest areas: a hostile microhabitat for the recolonization by woody species

Former charcoal platforms in Mediterranean forest areas: a hostile microhabitat for the recolonization by woody species

Large‐scale mapping of anthropogenic relief features—legacies of past forest use in two historical charcoal production areas in Germany

An initiative for a morphologic‐genetic catalog of relict charcoal hearths from Central Europe

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