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Pine stand density influences the regeneration of Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. and native woody species in a mediterranean coastal pine plantation
- Source :
- Forests, Volume 9, Issue 6, Forests, Vol 9, Iss 6, p 359 (2018)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Mediterranean plantations are the most suitable areas to assess vegetation dynamics and competitive interactions between native and exotic woody species. Our research was carried out in a coastal pine plantation (Sicily) where renaturalization by native species (Pistacia lentiscus L. and Olea europaea var. sylvestris) and invasion by Acacia saligna (Labill.) H.L.Wendl. simultaneously occur. The regeneration pattern of woody species in the pine understory was evaluated in six experimental plots along a stand density gradient, from 200 to approximately 700 pines per hectare. Both pine stand density and regeneration by native species had a significant negative relationship with Acacia natural regeneration. Olea regeneration was positively correlated with stand density, while Pistacia showed a non-significant relationship. Saplings of both native species were mostly less than 1 m high, whereas approximately 70% of Acacia individuals were higher than 1 m. We found that 400 pines per hectare should be considered a minimum stand density to keep Acacia under control, while favouring the establishment of native species in the understory. The successful control of Acacia requires an integrated management strategy, including different forest interventions according to stand density: thinning, control measures against Acacia, and renaturalization actions.
- Subjects :
- Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia
0106 biological sciences
Settore AGR/05 - Assestamento Forestale E Selvicoltura
forest management
Acacia
Introduced species
renaturalization
Pinus halepensis Miller
010603 evolutionary biology
01 natural sciences
Pinus pinea L
afforestation
Afforestation
Invasive alien plant
Silviculture
Thinning
biology
Forestry
silviculture
lcsh:QK900-989
Understory
biology.organism_classification
Agronomy
Pistacia lentiscus
lcsh:Plant ecology
invasive alien plants
010606 plant biology & botany
Acacia saligna
wood
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Forests, Volume 9, Issue 6, Forests, Vol 9, Iss 6, p 359 (2018)
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5ec21ee0c3e9f158ec44f330cde7cc9d