We estimated water-use efficiency and potential photosyn- thetic assimilation of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) on slopes of NW and SW aspects in a replicated field test examining the effects of intensifying drought in ...We estimated water-use efficiency and potential photosyn- thetic assimilation of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) on slopes of NW and SW aspects in a replicated field test examining the effects of intensifying drought in two Mediterranean coppice forests. We used standard tech- niques for quantifying gas exchange and carbon isotopes in leaves and analyzed total chlorophyll, carotenoids and nitrogen in leaves collected from Mediterranean forests managed under the coppice system. We pos- tulated that responses to drought of coppiced trees would lead to differ- ential responses in physiological traits and that these traits could be used by foresters to adapt to predicted warming and drying in the Mediterra- nean area. We observed physiological responses of the eoppiced trees that suggested acclimation in photosynthetic potential and water-use effi- ciency: (1) a significant reduction in stomatal conductance (p〈0.01) wasrecorded as the drought increased at the SW site; (2) foliar 813C increased as drought increased at the SW site (p〈0.01); (3) variations in levels of carotenoids and foliar nitrogen, and differences in foliar morphology were recorded, and were tentatively attributed to variation in photosyn- thetic assimilation between sites. These findings increase knowledge of the capacity for acclimation of managed forests in the Mediterranean region of Europe.展开更多
The present study introduces an exploratory data analysis based on structural indicators with the aim to assess the effect of silvicultural practices on tree stand structure. The study was carried out in three Italian...The present study introduces an exploratory data analysis based on structural indicators with the aim to assess the effect of silvicultural practices on tree stand structure. The study was carried out in three Italian beech forests of different ages with stand structures that originated from dissimilar regeneration and cultivation techniques(Cansiglio, northern Italy, Chiarano, central Italy,and Mongiana, southern Italy). Ten structural indicators were considered when investigating the latent multivariate relationship between stand structure attributes before and after thinning operations by using a multiway factor analysis(MFA). The MFA results identified the older stand at Cansiglio as more homogeneous for cultivation regimes,and more stable to practices when compared with the younger sites(Chiarano and Mongiana). Heterogeneous stands were sensitive to silvicultural practice thus suggesting their possible impact on forest attributes. The proposed approach proved to be an operational tool to evaluate comprehensively the response of forest structure to planned interventions.展开更多
基金supported by the Italian Ministry for Agricultural and Forest Policy,under the programme Ri.Selv.Italia(Research unit 3.2.1,DIBAF,University of Viterbo)
文摘We estimated water-use efficiency and potential photosyn- thetic assimilation of Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) on slopes of NW and SW aspects in a replicated field test examining the effects of intensifying drought in two Mediterranean coppice forests. We used standard tech- niques for quantifying gas exchange and carbon isotopes in leaves and analyzed total chlorophyll, carotenoids and nitrogen in leaves collected from Mediterranean forests managed under the coppice system. We pos- tulated that responses to drought of coppiced trees would lead to differ- ential responses in physiological traits and that these traits could be used by foresters to adapt to predicted warming and drying in the Mediterra- nean area. We observed physiological responses of the eoppiced trees that suggested acclimation in photosynthetic potential and water-use effi- ciency: (1) a significant reduction in stomatal conductance (p〈0.01) wasrecorded as the drought increased at the SW site; (2) foliar 813C increased as drought increased at the SW site (p〈0.01); (3) variations in levels of carotenoids and foliar nitrogen, and differences in foliar morphology were recorded, and were tentatively attributed to variation in photosyn- thetic assimilation between sites. These findings increase knowledge of the capacity for acclimation of managed forests in the Mediterranean region of Europe.
基金funded within the Project LIFE09 ENV/IT000078 ‘‘Managing Forests for multiple purpose:Carbon,Biodiversity and socio-economic wellbeing’’(ManForCBD)
文摘The present study introduces an exploratory data analysis based on structural indicators with the aim to assess the effect of silvicultural practices on tree stand structure. The study was carried out in three Italian beech forests of different ages with stand structures that originated from dissimilar regeneration and cultivation techniques(Cansiglio, northern Italy, Chiarano, central Italy,and Mongiana, southern Italy). Ten structural indicators were considered when investigating the latent multivariate relationship between stand structure attributes before and after thinning operations by using a multiway factor analysis(MFA). The MFA results identified the older stand at Cansiglio as more homogeneous for cultivation regimes,and more stable to practices when compared with the younger sites(Chiarano and Mongiana). Heterogeneous stands were sensitive to silvicultural practice thus suggesting their possible impact on forest attributes. The proposed approach proved to be an operational tool to evaluate comprehensively the response of forest structure to planned interventions.