Growth dynamics and climatic sensitivity of Silver fir (<i>Abies alba</i>Mill.) in the European important site (SIC) at the Alpe della Luna - Bocca Trabaria (PU - Italy)

Gallucci, Valeria; Urbinati, Carlo

doi:10.3832/efor0564-006

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…At the northern edge of the Central Apennines, dendroecological analyses have shown that in the last century A. alba exhibited a progressive adaptation to more xerothermic conditions in response to climate warming (Gallucci & Urbinati ); in the extreme south of its range this tree seems to be less affected by drought because it has reduced biological activity during the summer months (Freni ; Santini & Martinelli ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Holocene persistence of Abies alba in low‐mid altitude deciduous forests of central and southern Italy: new perspectives from charcoal data

Pasquale

Allevato

Cocchiararo

et al. 2014

J Vegetation Science

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Questions: Pollen data for Abies alba Mill., a key European tree species, show broad occurrence in the Italian peninsula in the early to mid-Holocene diffusion (until ca. 6000 yr ago) along the Italian peninsula and a strong decline/local extinction starting ca. 5000 yr ago. This decline has been attributed to climate change. Recently, high-resolution pollen studies, mainly in northern Italian sites claim that A. alba disappearance was mainly due to human impact. We examined the presence of A. alba in archaeological sites of southern and central Italy in order to trace the late Holocene history (last 3000 yr) of this tree and enhance understanding of its role in pre-anthropic vegetation and of human involvement in its decline.Location: Central and southern Italy.Methods: Anthracological analysis was conducted in six archaeological layers at the archaeological site of Trebbio-Spinellina (800-600 BC, Sansepolcro, Tuscany). A critical analysis of wood/charcoal literature relevant to Abies in central and southern Italy was used to corroborate the results of Trebbio-Spinellina. Charcoal records from archaeological sites have been compared with the current distribution of A. alba.Results: At Trebbio-Spinellina, A. alba charcoal is present in all contexts examined, together with mesophilous broad-leaf taxa (Quercus deciduous, Carpinus betulus, Ostrya carpinifolia, Corylus avellana). A low charcoal percentage of Fagus sylvatica and Taxus baccata is also found; evergreen taxa are mainly represented by Quercus ilex with occasional shrubs (i.e. Viburnum, Cistus, Erica). In the literature, we identified several peninsular and insular Italian archaeological sites showing charcoal evidence of Abies, accompanied by deciduous oaks, mainly Q. cerris, and other broad-leaf mesophilous trees, dating from the Iron Age to the Middle Ages. All sites, except one, lie at less than 600 m a.s.l., and far from present-day A. alba communities. Conclusion:Results call for a reworking of the prevailing paradigm of A. alba as a relic mountain species. Indeed, A. alba once grew at lower altitudes than currently and was associated with deciduous oaks, mainly Q. cerris, and other mesophilous broad-leaf trees. This evidence calls into question the suitability of the Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV) concept usually applied in the floristic approach. The recent population decline is attributable to human activity rather than to climate change. Finally, the persistence of A. alba until the late Holocene calls into question the assumptions that it is a relic species with no potential to expand its spatial range.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Holocene persistence of Abies alba in low‐mid altitude deciduous forests of central and southern Italy: new perspectives from charcoal data

Pasquale

Allevato

Cocchiararo

et al. 2014

J Vegetation Science

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Genetic consequences of landscape features in two rear edge, highly fragmented metapopulations of a mediterranean conifer

Avanzi,

Vitali,

Piovani

et al. 2024

Landsc Ecol

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Context Habitat fragmentation is expected to erode genetic diversity, which instead needs to be preserved for promoting species adaptation to a changing climate. As this expectation has found mixed support in forest trees, consistent results on the genetic consequences of fragmentation requires adequately replicated experimental designs, as well as an explicit assessment of which landscape features, if any, could mitigate its detrimental effects. Objective Evaluating the role of several landscape attributes in buffering the detrimental effects of fragmentation in two metapopulations of silver fir. Methods We genotyped 904 silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees from 18 local populations forming two metapopulations comparable for size and extension in the Apennines, a Mediterranean mountain range. We identified the signatures left by the fragmentation process on the genetic features of silver fir local populations. After removing potentially confounding effects due to different evolutionary histories, we used a multivariate approach for testing the relative effect of demographic, geographic, environmental and topographic factors on genetic features of both metapopulations. Results We found comparable signals of the habitat fragmentation impact on the genetic diversity and structure of both investigated metapopulations. Fragmentation effects were less pronounced in the largest local populations (but not the least isolated), located on gentler slopes with higher soil water availability and lower heat exposure. Conclusions Our results suggest the existence of a set of demographic and environmental factors that could have coherently buffered the detrimental genetic effects of fragmentation in both metapopulations. These findings could be useful to plan landscape restoration for the evolutionary rescue of mixed forests that once characterized Mediterranean mountain ecosystems.

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Effective gene flow in a historically fragmented area at the southern edge of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) distribution

Leonarduzzi

Piotti

Spanu

et al. 2016

Tree Genetics & Genomes

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Growth dynamics and climatic sensitivity of Silver fir (Abies albaMill.) in the European important site (SIC) at the Alpe della Luna - Bocca Trabaria (PU - Italy)

Cited by 5 publications

References 39 publications

Late Holocene persistence of Abies alba in low‐mid altitude deciduous forests of central and southern Italy: new perspectives from charcoal data

Late Holocene persistence of Abies alba in low‐mid altitude deciduous forests of central and southern Italy: new perspectives from charcoal data

Genetic consequences of landscape features in two rear edge, highly fragmented metapopulations of a mediterranean conifer

Effective gene flow in a historically fragmented area at the southern edge of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) distribution

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