Relationship Between Phenology and Above - Ground Phytomass in a Grassland Community in Central Italy

Abstract

Abstract:We analysed the relationship between phenology, phytomass temporal pattern and productivity dynamics in two grassland plots in the Marche Region (Central Italy). The plots were placed in grasslands belonging to the same syntaxon, previously defined as Brizo mediae-Brometum erecti using the phytosociological approach. The two sites were chosen at the lowest and the highest altitude within the distribution area of this syntaxon. The analysis showed a clear relationship between the observed variables and other ecological variables, such as climate. This information should be useful to plan future management strategy in the study area. IntroductionMontane grasslands cover about 8% of the territory of the Marche Region (Central Italy). They are one of the most important ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, both at regional and national scale. Indeed, they show high levels of floristic diversity (25% of the regional flora), as well as high species richness of invertebrates and vertebrates; for instance, 13 nesting bird species out of 18 protected by the European Bird Directive (79/409/CEE) were found in Marche montane grasslands.Montane grasslands have been the most important resource for the local economy for thousands of years. They were used largely for cattle forage and breeding, in some places for the whole year, in other places only recurrently (transhumance) [8]. Due to its long history, pasture deeply transformed the pristine ecosystems and created a functional ecological equilibrium. The strong decrease of pasture, which occurred in the second half of the 20th century, is going to modify this equilibrium, and the consequences are still unknown. Therefore, longterm management plans for grasslands, based on scientific data and inferences, are now necessary to match different needs: preserving the high species and community diversity, maintaining the ecological processes that allow the existence of a such high diversity [1,4], and improving the zootechnical use [16,18].Different types of vegetation analysis can contribute to the management plans. Among these analyses, the study of plant community phenology [6] and its relationship with productivity can be a powerful insight in the whole ecosystem dynamics.

Change of Composition and Diversity of Species and Grassland Management Between Different Grazing Intensity in Pannonian Dry and Wet Grasslands

“…The appropriate handling options are the extensive husbanding forms -mainly grazing and mowing -in addition, a reasonable and well thought-out load application is very important (Catorci et al, 2006(Catorci et al, , 2007a(Catorci et al, , 2007b(Catorci et al, , 2009 Kleyer, 1999;Pausas, 1999).…”

Co‐variation between plant above‐ground biomass and phenology in sub‐alpine grasslands

“…(): the allocation of resources to reproductive tillers stops leaf production, resulting in peak of biomass occurring before flowering (Catorci et al. ). Interestingly, we found differences in how late each plant community flowered relative to their biomass peak: the later the date of maximum biomass, the shorter the lag of flowering (Fig.…”

“…Hence, even though a positive relationship may be expected between productivity and phenology, this relationship may be blurred by the life‐history traits of the dominant growth forms (Catorci et al. ; Ansquer et al. ).…”

Biodiversity Conservation: Geosynphytosociology as a Tool of Analysis and Modelling of Grassland Systems

“…1), ideally integrating these studies with synphenological data. The start of the vegetative phase can be induced by anthesis of geophytes, immediately preceding or parallel to the vegetative phase of Poaceae and other taxonomic components of grassland (Catorci et al 2006, Gatti et al 2007a. Table 10 shows the mean onset of the grassland vegetative phase of the syntaxa within the study area.…”