Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy
The present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m<sup>2</sup>; medium, 400 m<sup>2</sup>; and large, 600 m<sup>2</sup>) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size...
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1563 |
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| author | Silvio Bagnato Pasquale A. Marziliano Maria Sidari Carmelo Mallamaci Federica Marra Adele Muscolo |
| author_facet | Silvio Bagnato Pasquale A. Marziliano Maria Sidari Carmelo Mallamaci Federica Marra Adele Muscolo |
| author_sort | Silvio Bagnato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m<sup>2</sup>; medium, 400 m<sup>2</sup>; and large, 600 m<sup>2</sup>) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size on the growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps were evaluated. The study was carried out in a European beech stand located in Aspromonte National Park (Southern Apennines, Calabria, Italy). Microclimatic variables, physical, chemical, and biochemical soil properties, natural regeneration density, and growth trees outside the gaps density of natural regeneration were assessed. This study provided evidence for an important effect of cardinal points on micro-environmental parameter variability, nutrient cycle, physic-chemical soil properties, water availability, and biological processes such as trees growth and regeneration. The European beech natural regeneration was most abundant in the south part of the gaps. Thus, we can state that cardinal points affect the trees natural regeneration in a species-specific manner. The new microclimatic conditions due to the gap opening had positive effects on the tree growth located along the gap edge, especially in the trees sampled on the edges of the medium gaps. On the contrary, the trees located in the forest recorded a productivity coherent with the period prior the gap opening. In medium-sized gaps, the combination and interaction of microclimatic and soil parameters (humification and mineralization process and microbial activity) created the best conditions for beech natural regeneration and favored an increase in the productivity of the trees at the edge of the gaps. |
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| id | doaj.art-93c4a01afc774aef8c558c7b2103249d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:28:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-93c4a01afc774aef8c558c7b2103249d2023-11-22T23:25:33ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-11-011211156310.3390/f12111563Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern ItalySilvio Bagnato0Pasquale A. Marziliano1Maria Sidari2Carmelo Mallamaci3Federica Marra4Adele Muscolo5Department of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of AGRARIA, “Mediterranea” University, Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, ItalyThe present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m<sup>2</sup>; medium, 400 m<sup>2</sup>; and large, 600 m<sup>2</sup>) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size on the growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps were evaluated. The study was carried out in a European beech stand located in Aspromonte National Park (Southern Apennines, Calabria, Italy). Microclimatic variables, physical, chemical, and biochemical soil properties, natural regeneration density, and growth trees outside the gaps density of natural regeneration were assessed. This study provided evidence for an important effect of cardinal points on micro-environmental parameter variability, nutrient cycle, physic-chemical soil properties, water availability, and biological processes such as trees growth and regeneration. The European beech natural regeneration was most abundant in the south part of the gaps. Thus, we can state that cardinal points affect the trees natural regeneration in a species-specific manner. The new microclimatic conditions due to the gap opening had positive effects on the tree growth located along the gap edge, especially in the trees sampled on the edges of the medium gaps. On the contrary, the trees located in the forest recorded a productivity coherent with the period prior the gap opening. In medium-sized gaps, the combination and interaction of microclimatic and soil parameters (humification and mineralization process and microbial activity) created the best conditions for beech natural regeneration and favored an increase in the productivity of the trees at the edge of the gaps.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1563biodiversitycardinal points<i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L.gap sizesnatural regenerationsoil properties |
| spellingShingle | Silvio Bagnato Pasquale A. Marziliano Maria Sidari Carmelo Mallamaci Federica Marra Adele Muscolo Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy Forests biodiversity cardinal points <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L. gap sizes natural regeneration soil properties |
| title | Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy |
| title_full | Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy |
| title_short | Effects of Gap Size and Cardinal Directions on Natural Regeneration, Growth Dynamics of Trees outside the Gaps and Soil Properties in European Beech Forests of Southern Italy |
| title_sort | effects of gap size and cardinal directions on natural regeneration growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps and soil properties in european beech forests of southern italy |
| topic | biodiversity cardinal points <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> L. gap sizes natural regeneration soil properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1563 |
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