Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale

FULL PAPER: Applicazione di un modello di nicchia ecologica nella classificazione di coperture forestali

valerio.amici@unisi.it (Amici V et al.) — 2012-05-07T09:00:01Z

Amici V, Marcantonio M, Geri F

APPLICAZIONE DI UN MODELLO DI NICCHIA ECOLOGICA NELLA CLASSIFICAZIONE DI COPERTURE FORESTALI

Abstract: In recent years, a surge of interest in biodiversity conservation have led to the development of new approaches to facilitate ecologically-based conservation policies and management plans. In particular, image classification and predictive distribution modeling applied to forest habitats, constitute a crucial issue as forests constitute the most widespread vegetation type and play a key role for ecosystem functioning. Then, the general purpose of this study is to develop a framework that in the absence of large amounts of field data for large areas may allow to select the most appropriate classification. In some cases, a hard division of classes is required, especially as support to environmental policies; despite this it is necessary to take into account problems which derive from a crisp view of ecological entities being mapped, since habitats are expected to be structurally complex and continuously vary within a landscape. In this paper, a niche model (MaxEnt), generally used to estimate species/habitat distribution, has been applied to classify forest cover in a complex Mediterranean area and to estimate the probability distribution of four forest types, producing continuous maps of forest cover. The use of the obtained models as validation of model for crisp classifications, highlighted that crisp classification, which is being continuously used in landscape research and planning, is not free from drawbacks as it is showing a high degree of inner variability. The modeling approach followed by this study, taking into account the uncertainty proper of the natural ecosystems and the use of environmental variables in land cover classification, may represent an useful approach to making more efficient and effective field inventories and to developing effective forest conservation policies.

Keywords: Crisp classification, Ecological niche, Forest cover map, MaxEnt, Remote sensing

Forest@ 9 (1): 75-88 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0689-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=689

FULL PAPER: Valutazione dello stato sanitario delle piante forestali: quali prospettive dal telerilevamento nel visibile e nell’infrarosso?

paolo.gonthier@unito.it (Gonthier P et al.) — 2012-05-07T09:00:01Z

Gonthier P, Lione G, Borgogno Mondino EC

VALUTAZIONE DELLO STATO SANITARIO DELLE PIANTE FORESTALI: QUALI PROSPETTIVE DAL TELERILEVAMENTO NEL VISIBILE E NELL’INFRAROSSO?

Abstract: Based on a comprehensive literature analysis, we present a critical review of those optical remote sensing techniques operating with the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) bands for the assessment of health in forest trees. Physical, biological and physio-pathological issues of VIS-NIR reflectance of leaves are described pointing out that a decrease of NIR reflectance is highly influenced by stress conditions on tree caused by abiotic and biotic factors. In many cases the NIR spectral band is more sensitive than the VIS one, allowing to detect plant stress long before the appearance of visible symptoms. A description of the main remote sensing methods is provided, including radiometric measurements and multispectral imaging approaches. False colour infrared (FCIR) images collection and their photointerpretation and processing are shown as they represent the most relevant means to acquire information of canopy from its reflectance properties. The amount and the quality of the obtainable data depend on: (i) field conditions; (ii) the type of the adopted instrument (camera, radiometer); (iii) the recording system position (ground platforms, aircraft, satellite); (iv) the format of the data (analogical, digitalised or digital); and (v) the photointerpretation technique. Results from literature are discussed stressing the limits of remote sensing methods. Remote sensing in VIS and NIR spectral bands is generally a powerful classification tool to detect and score tree stress. Nevertheless, it is not a diagnostic tool in that it does not provide information on the cause of stress. Moreover, the method should be adequately tested at single tree level for many important pathogens, in particular root rot, butt rot and stem rot fungi. In perspective, new high spatial resolution satellite images and their GIS software elaboration might be suitable to improve remote sensing analysis.

Keywords: Fungal pathogens, Remote sensing, FCIR, Canopy reflectance, Forest heath monitoring, NIR

Forest@ 9 (1): 89-102 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0691-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=691

FULL PAPER: Atto di collaudo e lodo arbitrale nel taglio dei boschi dei comuni soggetti alla tutela dell’amministrazione forestale delle regioni

studio.fiorucci@libero.it (Fiorucci E) — 2012-05-07T09:00:01Z

Fiorucci E

ATTO DI COLLAUDO E LODO ARBITRALE NEL TAGLIO DEI BOSCHI DEI COMUNI SOGGETTI ALLA TUTELA DELL’AMMINISTRAZIONE FORESTALE DELLE REGIONI

Abstract: Testing the cutting of town councils’ woodland property is considered, according to the contractual clause imposed by the forestry administration of some Regions, arbitration ruling and is not subject to recourse or appeal. From historical research, extended since 1910, no measures of law emerged which may justify the Equalization of the Act of testing atypic arbitration ruling and which cannot be applied to define disputes of public works which appear vitiated in costitutional illegality, because the derogation of ordinary judgment is only permitted with the agreement and specific willingness of the interested parties

Keywords: Communal forest, Testing, Ritual arbitration, Atypic arbitration

Forest@ 9 (1): 103-107 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0692-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=692

FULL PAPER: Densità di biomassa e necromassa legnosa in cedui invecchiati di leccio in Sardegna e di faggio in Toscana

giada.bertini@entecra.it (Bertini G et al.) — 2012-05-07T09:00:01Z

Bertini G, Fabbio G, Piovosi M, Calderisi M

DENSITÀ DI BIOMASSA E NECROMASSA LEGNOSA IN CEDUI INVECCHIATI DI LECCIO IN SARDEGNA E DI FAGGIO IN TOSCANA

Abstract: Current National Forest Inventory highlight the further increase over the last two decades of coppice area under the position of mature standing crop or in the post-cultivation phase, both being developed throughout the original cultivation area. This pattern, mainly due to the unprofitable fuel wood harvesting, also involved holm oak and beech forests, some of the most diffused forest covers in Sardinia, along the Apennines and pre-Alps. The alternative management option to ageing (the pro-active way of coppice conversion into high forest) has been also practiced in the public domain, but on much smaller areas as compared with those undergoing post-cultivation phase. Aged coppices located into medium-good site classes showed a positive growth pattern resulting in a high, age-related, wood matter storage. At the meantime, regular mortality occurring since former rotation into the fully-stocked shoot populations, stocked up high deadwood amounts, this becoming an outstanding attribute of these types. Carbon storage is becoming one of the major tasks attributable to these systems within the post-cultivation phase. Purposes are here to: (i) estimate living woody and standing + lying deadwood mass densities; (ii) determine deadwood/living mass ratio; (iii) verify lying deadwood decay class; (iv) analyse diversity between two sites aged likewise but different as for geographical location and tree species. A holm oak coppice aged 55 in Sardinia and a beech coppice aged 57 in Tuscany were selected at the purpose. Both stands have been developing the post-cultivation phase since two-three times the traditional rotation and represent the maximum ages in this position. Living and standing dead woody dry mass density were determined in each site by specific allometric functions. Lying deadwood amount was assessed by a sampling design covering systematically the full test area. Three decay classes were determined according to Hunter (modified). The tree species, both shade-tolerant, showed a similar pattern as for time of wood formation and its transfer to deadwood, as well. The main difference consists only in their evergreen and deciduous habit. Auto-ecology seems to be the main driver of stand development as for carrying capacity, mortality rate and survival time into the overstocked stand structures. Leaf standing mass and leaf /thin branches ratio are two and three times higher in holm oak, consistently with its biology. Living woody mass density is made basically by stem and thick branches (88%) and varies from 322 Mg ha-1 (beech) to 225 Mg ha-1 (holm oak). Deadwood amount ranges from 28 to 25 Mg ha-1 i.e., from 9 to 11% of living woody mass. Standing deadwood is 70 to 73% of total amount. As for lying material, the intermediate decay class is prevailing: 74%, (beech) and 66% (holm oak). Both dynamics and age-related data suggest the active role these types may play in soil conservation, improvement of forest quality and carbon storage. The need of a consistent monitoring of the further post-cultivation progress is finally stressed to recognize driving forces acting, the onset of possible limiting factors and feedbacks.

Keywords: Holm oak, Beech, Aged coppice forest, Living woody biomass, Deadwood, Wood decay.

Forest@ 9 (1): 108-129 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0690-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=690

COMUNICAZIONI BREVI: Conferenza di Durban sul clima: nuove prospettive per il mondo forestale

perugini@unitus.it (Perugini L et al.) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Perugini L, Vespertino D, Valentini R

CONFERENZA DI DURBAN SUL CLIMA: NUOVE PROSPETTIVE PER IL MONDO FORESTALE

Abstract: The recent Durban Climate Conference can be considered a step forward in the agroforestry sector within the international climate regulatory regime. After four years of negotiations the long-awaited decision on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry for the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol was agreed, including a new activity (wetland drainage and rewetting), defining the accounting rules for forest management (which was shifted from voluntary to mandatory), the accounting for harvested wood products and the treatment of emissions from natural disturbances. Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation, sustainable management of forest, and the enhancement of forest carbon stock (REDD+) has moved ahead as well, with the agreement of two decisions as an intermediate step for the finalization of the REDD+ mechanism architecture. The first decision is about methodological aspects on guidance on system for providing information on how safeguards are addressed and respected and on modalities relating to forest reference emission levels and forest reference levels that are benchmarks for assessing country’s performance in implementing REDD+ activities. The second decision is about policy approaches and incentives on REDD+ activities, that is the controversial issue on the sources of financing for REDD+ mechanism. As source of finance for result-based actions, a wide variety of sources are recognized: public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including the Green Climate Fund, provided that they are new, additional and predictable. Both market and non-market approaches were also considered as possible tool for financing REDD+ action, to be developed by the Conference of Parties. Although a more ambitious outcome would have been desirable, the conference in Durban concluded with the finalization of key outcomes in the forestry sector providing important operational instruments to incentivize sustainable forest management at global level, representing a significant step forward in the full recognition of the fundamental role of forests in the carbon cycle.

Keywords: Climate, Forest, Durban Climate Conference, Forest Management, Kyoto Protocol, REDD+, LULUCF

Forest@ 9 (1): 1-7 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0688-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=688

FULL PAPER: Le basi conoscitive per il restauro forestale: il caso di Bosco Pomieri (Parco Regionale delle Madonie, Sicilia)

francesco.scarfo@unirc.it (Bagnato S et al.) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Bagnato S, Merlino A, Mercurio R, Solano F, Scarfò F, Spampinato G

LE BASI CONOSCITIVE PER IL RESTAURO FORESTALE: IL CASO DI BOSCO POMIERI (PARCO REGIONALE DELLE MADONIE, SICILIA)

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to highlight a case study of forest restoration in the Pomieri Wood area (Madonie regional park, Sicily), consisting of a relict population of sessile oak (Quercus petraea subsp. austrothyrrenica Brullo, Guarino & Siracusa). To assess the functionality of the stand some biological indicators were taken into consideration: dendrometric-structural, floristic-vegetation, ecological, fructification, natural regeneration, disturbances. They reveal a state of degradation after a long period of overexploitation of resources. Forest restoration would lead to the regaining of the cultural value of the Pomieri wood by management authorities and local populations. Then a series of measures are to be carried out providing for the removal of degradation factors (grazing, illegal cuttings) and restoring stand density, biodiversity and ecological functionality.

Keywords: Forest restoration, biodiversity, Quercus petraea, Sicily

Forest@ 9 (1): 8-19 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0679-008
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=679

FULL PAPER: Esperienze di fuoco prescritto in Italia: un approccio integrato per la prevenzione degli incendi boschivi

d.ascoli@unito.it (Ascoli D et al.) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Ascoli D, Catalanotti A, Valese E, Cabiddu S, Delogu G, Driussi M, Esposito A, Leone V, Lovreglio R, Marchi E, Mazzoleni S, Rutigliano FA, Strumia S, Bovio G

ESPERIENZE DI FUOCO PRESCRITTO IN ITALIA: UN APPROCCIO INTEGRATO PER LA PREVENZIONE DEGLI INCENDI BOSCHIVI

Abstract: Prescribed burning is used in many geographical areas for multiple and integrated objectives (wildfire prevention, habitat conservation, grazing management). In Europe the collaboration between researchers and fire professionals has brought to implement this technique over increasing areas (~104 ha year-1), effectively and efficiently. In Italy prescribed burning has not been much studied and it is rarely applied. A new interest is recently rising. Some Regions particularly threatened by wildfires have updated the legislation and set up procedures to authorize prescribed fire experiments and interventions. From 2004 to 2011 several scientific, operative and training experiences have been carried out at a regional level (Basilicata, Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piemonte, Sardegna, Toscana). The present paper aims to: (i) document and compare these regional programs; (ii) discuss their frameworks and limitations; (iii) provide information about objectives, prescriptions, methods and results. The study has involved Universities, Forest Corps, Civil Protection, Municipalities, Parks and professionals from Italy and other Countries. Interventions have regarded integrated objectives (fire hazard reduction; habitat conservation; forest and grazing management), and involved several vegetation types (broadleaved and conifer forests; Mediterranean and Continental shrublands; grasslands). Studies on fire behaviour and ecology have helped to set prescriptions for specific objectives and environments. Results have been transferred to professionals through training sessions. Several common elements are outlined: integrated objectives, multidisciplinary character, training and research products. Ecological questions, certification to the use of fire, communication to local communities and the proposal of new studies, are some of the issues outlined in the discussion. The present study is the first review at national level and we hope it will help to deepen the meaning and limitations of a technique which is an effective tool to prevent wildfires when integrated in the forest and land planning process.

Keywords: Prescribed burning, Wildfire prevention, Habitat conservation, Grazing management, Fire professional training

Forest@ 9 (1): 20-38 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0686-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=686

FULL PAPER: Analisi del processo di rinnovazione da seme in un ceduo di roverella (Quercus pubescens Willd.) in provincia di Firenze nei venti anni successivi al taglio

gianluca.giovannini@unifi.it (Giovannini G) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Giovannini G

ANALISI DEL PROCESSO DI RINNOVAZIONE DA SEME IN UN CEDUO DI ROVERELLA (QUERCUS PUBESCENS WILLD.) IN PROVINCIA DI FIRENZE NEI VENTI ANNI SUCCESSIVI AL TAGLIO

Abstract: The technical standards and regulations ruling coppicing procedures have been changed in recent years, and they mainly focused on the minimal rotation age of the coppice woodland, on the size and contiguity of area to be coppiced, and on the standard trees. For the latter, the discussion concerned almost exclusively the number, characteristics and spatial distribution of standards whereas the traditionally reported role played by them in term of future gamic regeneration process, as well as the characteristics and dynamics of the long term process itself, is far to be studied and clarified. The objective of this work, carried out in a Quercus pubescens coppice woodland in the province of Florence, Central Italy, is to analyze the dynamics of the population of seedlings since the time of felling in 1980 over the next 20 years. This work examined changes in number of seedlings, the age of seedlings, the development of agamic regeneration. Main results: (a) in about 20 years since felling any of the survived seedling grew to sapling; (b) mortality rate of seedlings was initially very high, gradually decreasing over the years; (c) spatial distribution varies in space and time, and is related to the presence either absence of the standard trees; (d) over the years, there was a severe selection among the coppice stumps and among the coppice shoots, some of which die, without however be replaced by seed-born trees. It emerged the marginal role of the populations of seedlings, both in terms of replacement of died stumps, and in recruitment of the new standards (“allievi”). This conclusion calls into question the term "natural regeneration" by which even in technical either scientific terminology about coppice woodlands often refers to a set of seedlings present, which is theoretically assigned a role that definitively they cannot really play.

Keywords: Coppice, Quercus pubescens, Standard trees, Seed regeneration, Competition

Forest@ 9 (1): 39-51 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0687-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=687

FULL PAPER: Fisionomia e distribuzione dei prati montani (maggenghi) in 150 anni di avanzamento spontaneo del bosco (Val di Pejo, Trentino)

tommaso.sitzia@unipd.it (Sitzia T & Trentanovi G) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Sitzia T, Trentanovi G

FISIONOMIA E DISTRIBUZIONE DEI PRATI MONTANI (MAGGENGHI) IN 150 ANNI DI AVANZAMENTO SPONTANEO DEL BOSCO (VAL DI PEJO, TRENTINO)

Abstract: Through the classification of current and historical aerial photosbetween 1973 and 2006, we analysed the evolution of size, shape and connectivity of 59 mountain meadows (maggenghi) of the Pejo district (Trentino, Northern Italy). The maggenghi are scattered patches within a forested matrix. We conducted the same analysis on an Austro-Hungarian cadastral map of 1859. The total surface covered by maggenghi was 137.4 ha in 1973, and decreased to 78.3 ha (57%) in 2006. The mean shape and connectivity index in 1973 are significantly lower than those of 2006. Within a 1-km radius around the studied patches, woodlands increased by 7% in the same time range. Among the 25 maggenghi present in 1958, 12 has been subdivided into 39 smaller fragments and 13 has been reduced in their size without any fragmentation. A general process of meadow patches evolution which included area and connectivity reduction and shape simplification has been noticed. This process is common to many other alpine landscapes. The study of these processes is fundamental for policies aimed to conservation of mountain meadows, as well as to identify the single patches deserving conservation for their current and historical landscape structure, as many studies report their significant effects on local floristic diversity.

Keywords: Patch, Spontaneous reforestation, Landscape evolution, Biodiversity conservation, Fragmentation, GIS analysis

Forest@ 9 (1): 52-62 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0684-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=684

RAPPORTI TECNICI: Il sistema di gestione degli interventi selvicolturali

fcarbone@unitus.it (Carbone F) — 2012-02-28T09:00:01Z

Carbone F

IL SISTEMA DI GESTIONE DEGLI INTERVENTI SELVICOLTURALI

Abstract: The coexistence of public and private interests on forest ecosystems makes the silvicultural interventions the most thorny moment of their management. In this paper the author analyzes the characteristics of forest firms and logging companies usually involved in forest management. The relations between their legitimate interests, expectations and strategies, the ways by which forest firm may entrust the execution of the silvicultural intervention, etc. are aspects strongly connected with the public interests, which is protected by forestry institutions. Silvicultural system of management interventions is the context where public interests are coordinated with the private interests. The output are qualitative and quantitative standards for the use of forest resources. Moving on from this preliminary to the executive phase, the case study has highlighted the crucial role played by foresters, who have to guarantee the coexistence of public and private interests on forests.

Keywords: Forest firm, Logging company, Forest management, Forest law, Forester

Forest@ 9 (1): 63-74 (2012) - doi: 10.3832/efor0685-009
http://www.sisef.it/forest@/show.php?id=685