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iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry

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Species interactions in pure and mixed-species stands of silver fir and European beech in Mediterranean mountains

Soraya Versace (1-2)   , Vittorio Garfì (1), Michele Dalponte (2), Di Febbraro Mirko (1), Lorenzo Frizzera (2), Damiano Gianelle (2-3), Roberto Tognetti (3-4)

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 14, Issue 1, Pages 1-11 (2021)
doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor3476-013
Published: Jan 02, 2021 - Copyright © 2021 SISEF

Research Articles


Interactions between tree species determine the dynamics of forest communities. Spatial and temporal changes in resource availability, variation in species composition and spatial distribution of trees may alter competitive interactions between species and, therefore, affect tree growth and forest productivity. In this study, we analyzed the intra and inter-specific interactions between European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in southern Italy (Molise and Calabria regions), and how these interactions affect basal area increments in mixed-species and pure stands. Results showed that intra-specific interactions have a negative effect on the basal area increment, both in pure and mixed-species stands of Molise and Calabria. Basal area increment was higher influenced by intra-specific interactions in pure stands than in mixed-species stands. Silver fir in Molise showed higher basal area increment in mixed-species stand, probably in relation with stand structure and space occupation that resulted in less competition between individual trees. European beech showed high values of intra-specific interactions in pure stands, likely related to the low self-tolerance of this species and to the spatial arrangement of trees, due to canopy closure. The absence of inter-specific interactions in mixed-species stands could be explained by the sub-dominant position of European beech, which may have limited the benefit derived from niche separation and complementarity for silver fir.

  Keywords


Abies alba Mill., Fagus sylvatica L., Intra-specific Interactions, Inter-specific Interactions, Stand Productivity, Tree Growth

Authors’ address

(1)
Soraya Versace
Vittorio Garfì 0000-0002-6980-2920
Di Febbraro Mirko 0000-0001-8898-7046
Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, c.da Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, IS (Italy)
(2)
Soraya Versace
Michele Dalponte 0000-0001-9850-8985
Lorenzo Frizzera 0000-0003-3150-8395
Damiano Gianelle 0000-0001-7697-5793
Department of Sustainable Agro-ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione E. Mach, v. E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, TN (Italy)
(3)
Damiano Gianelle 0000-0001-7697-5793
Roberto Tognetti 0000-0002-7771-6176
The EFI Project Centre on Mountain Forests (MOUNTFOR), v. Edmund Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all’Adige, TN (Italy)
(4)
Roberto Tognetti 0000-0002-7771-6176
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, v. Francesco De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso (Italy)

Corresponding author

 

Citation

Versace S, Garfì V, Dalponte M, Febbraro Mirko D, Frizzera L, Gianelle D, Tognetti R (2021). Species interactions in pure and mixed-species stands of silver fir and European beech in Mediterranean mountains. iForest 14: 1-11. - doi: 10.3832/ifor3476-013

Academic Editor

Giorgio Vacchiano

Paper history

Received: Apr 20, 2020
Accepted: Oct 26, 2020

First online: Jan 02, 2021
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2021
Publication Time: 2.27 months

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