Naturally-induced gap formation in even-aged silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands. A case study in the Apennine mountains (central Italy)

Due to the scarcity of old-growth forests in much of Europe, there is little quantitative information on disturbance processes that influence forest dynamics. However, this information is crucial for forest management that tries to emulate patterns and processes in natural forests. We quantified the gap disturbance regime in an old-growth forest dominated by European beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir ( Abies alba Miller) in the Dinaric Mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We sampled 87 gaps in four stands using line-intercept sampling. The percentages of forest area in canopy gaps and expanded gaps ranged from 12% to 17.2% and 35.5% to 39.7%, respectively. Although many of the gaps were small (<100 m2) and formed from a single gapmaker, large canopy openings >1000 m2 with numerous gapmakers made up a disproportionate amount of the total gap area. More than half the gaps had more than one gapmaker and were often in separate decay classes, indicating gaps had expanded over time during separate disturbance events. Furthermore, 51% of all gapmakers were uprooted or wind-snapped, whereas only 22% died standing. These results suggest that wind disturbance plays an important role in creating intermediate to large canopy openings through both gap formation and gap expansion processes.

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Simulation of Decline of Norway Spruce (Picea Abies L. Karst.) Forests in Gorgan Mountains (Ukrainian Carpathians): Case Study Using Forkome Model

Ekológia (Bratislava) ◽

10.2478/eko-2019-0026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 353-366

Author(s):

Taras Parpan ◽

Ihor Kozak ◽

Yuriy Shparyk ◽

Myroslava Mylenka ◽

Ivan Balaniuk

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Forest Tree ◽

100Th Anniversary ◽

Rapid Decrease ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Tree Stand ◽

Active Biomass ◽

Simulation Results

AbstractThe FORKOME model used in the article contains elements of forest and ecological approaches and was specially developed for the conditions of the Gorgans. The modeling was performed based on the single simulation results and statistically averaged forecast of 200 simulations (“Monte Carlo”) in order to show the tendency of changes and their correspondence with single simulations. The forecast of the forest dynamics was conducted at the 100th anniversary period with “control” and “warm-dry” scenarios. It has been revealed that the rapid decrease in biomass in the first decade was caused by Norway spruce decline. It was revealed that in the control scenario, the most active biomass growth during the 100th year forecast was shown by Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The fir reacted relatively sensitively to the warming and decrease in rainfall. The relationships between tree species and the influence of biomass of Norway spruce tree on the biomass of the whole forest tree stand were analyzed.

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Dynamics of Norway spruce and silver fir natural regeneration in a mixed stand under uneven-aged management

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x03-197 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 141-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Giacomo Grassi ◽

Gianfranco Minotta ◽

Giustino Tonon ◽

Umberto Bagnaresi

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Age Structure ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Eastern Alps ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Gap Formation ◽

Canopy Layer ◽

Spatial Continuity

In a 0.75-ha plot in a Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) silver fir (Abies alba Miller) stand in Comelico (Italian eastern Alps), we analysed (i) the distribution and growth of natural regeneration of Norway spruce and silver fir as affected by stand structure and (ii) the age structure of all saplings between 0.2 and 10 m in height in a 30-year-old gap. In both species, most natural regeneration was clumped and located at the margin of the gaps; however, fir saplings were more represented in understorey environments and less represented in gaps as compared with spruce. Age structure of natural regeneration in the selected gap revealed that the majority (75%) of saplings appeared after the formation of the gap; however, for regeneration taller than 2 m (which has a better chance of reaching the uppermost canopy layer), saplings already present at gap formation predominated. We conclude that (i) gap edges represent a preferential regeneration niche in this forest and (ii) saplings established before gap formation can play an important role in gap refilling. These results provide useful information to ensure, through silvicultural practices, favourable conditions for the temporal and spatial continuity of the regeneration process.

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Richness and composition of macrofungi on large decaying trees in a Central European old-growth forest: a case study on silver fir (Abies alba)

Mycological Progress ◽

10.1007/s11557-020-01637-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (12) ◽

pp. 1429-1443

Author(s):

Jan Holec ◽

Tomáš Kučera

Keyword(s):

Abies Alba ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Old Growth ◽

Central European ◽

Old Growth Forest

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A case study on farmed European seabass and gilthead seabream in central Italy: The negligible parasitological risk of nematode larvae paves the way for the freezing derogation

Food Control ◽

10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107964 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 125 ◽

pp. 107964

Author(s):

Daniele Castiglione ◽

Lisa Guardone ◽

Francesca Susini ◽

Federica Alimonti ◽

Valeria Paternoster ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Italy ◽

Gilthead Seabream ◽

Nematode Larvae ◽

European Seabass ◽

The Way

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Effect of earthworms on mycorrhization, root morphology and biomass of silver fir seedlings inoculated with black summer truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.)

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85497-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tina Unuk Nahberger ◽

Gian Maria Niccolò Benucci ◽

Hojka Kraigher ◽

Tine Grebenc

Keyword(s):

Root System ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Fine Root ◽

Abies Alba ◽

Fine Root Biomass ◽

Root Tip ◽

Silver Fir ◽

Tuber Aestivum ◽

Root Tips ◽

Root Parameters

AbstractSpecies of the genus Tuber have gained a lot of attention in recent decades due to their aromatic hypogenous fruitbodies, which can bring high prices on the market. The tendency in truffle production is to infect oak, hazel, beech, etc. in greenhouse conditions. We aimed to show whether silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) can be an appropriate host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, and how earthworms in the inoculation substrate would affect the mycorrhization dynamics. Silver fir seedlings inoculated with Tuber. aestivum were analyzed for root system parameters and mycorrhization, how earthworms affect the bare root system, and if mycorrhization parameters change when earthworms are added to the inoculation substrate. Seedlings were analyzed 6 and 12 months after spore inoculation. Mycorrhization with or without earthworms revealed contrasting effects on fine root biomass and morphology of silver fir seedlings. Only a few of the assessed fine root parameters showed statistically significant response, namely higher fine root biomass and fine root tip density in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 6 months after inoculation, lower fine root tip density when earthworms were added, the specific root tip density increased in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 12 months after inoculation, and general negative effect of earthworm on branching density. Silver fir was confirmed as a suitable host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, with 6% and 35% mycorrhization 6 months after inoculation and between 36% and 55% mycorrhization 12 months after inoculation. The effect of earthworms on mycorrhization of silver fir with Tuber aestivum was positive only after 6 months of mycorrhization, while this effect disappeared and turned insignificantly negative after 12 months due to the secondary effect of grazing on ectomycorrhizal root tips.

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