S. Fiorentini

L’impatto dei cervidi sulla rinnovazione artificiale di abete bianco. Primi risultati di una prova di impianto a piccolissimi gruppi

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of roe deer and fallow deer on Silver fir planted in small clusters after a clear cut in the Vallombrosa Forest (Florence, Italy). We measured height and deer impact on all firs planted in various sized clusters (from 6 to 59 fir per cluster, distance between firs in the cluster: 15-20 cm). Six years after planting, almost all the young fir were impacted by deer and often showed deviated stem growth as a result of past browsing. The majority of the silver fir saplings were less than one meter high, and were significantly smaller than firs planted inside a fenced control area. Plant position inside the cluster did not affect stem height and number of deer impacts. Height and impact incidenc ewas instead related to fir density within each cluster. We conclude that in a situation of maximum susceptibility to deer impact such as the one we have analyzed, planted firs are strongly affected by deer and cluster planting does not seem successful in reducing this impact.

La scortecciatura causata dal cervo in cedui di castagno: un caso di studio nell’Appennino pistoiese

Bark stripping by deer has a selective impact on trees and influences their stability and vitality.Bark stripping has been studied in many high forests while information about this impact in coppice forests is still scarce. In this work we assessed bark stripping incidence, severity and selectivity in chestnut coppices. Two study sites were considered, one in an area occupied by red deer and the other where there is roe deer but red deer is absent. In the area with red deer, bark stripping was present in 2 year old coppices and stripping frequency doubled in 5 year oldcoppices. Bark stripping was also very frequent in chestnut coppices 14 to 32 year old. We found no bark stripping in the area without red deer. Our results show that bark stripping by red deer has a selective character for coppice age and tree size

Evaluating impact of possible transgenic poplar cultivation on protected areas

Background Plant biodiversity studies have been performed in the Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli Regional Park in Tuscany (Italy) within the framework of the European project LIFE08 NAT/IT/342.This project aims at developing a quick monitoring index (QMI) to rapidly assess the potential risk generated by transgenic plants in characterized ecosystems or biotopes. For this reason test areas have been selected inside the protected area to evaluate plant (weeds and trees), animal, and soil microoganisms biodiversity. The proximity of the selected test area to cropped surfaces where Genetically Modified Plants (GMPs) might be cultivated has been taken into account. GMPs could spread pollen and contaminate natural populations. To avoid this risk, an efficient monitoring system is required taking into account genetic diversity and breeding study. As far as tree biodiversity concern, Populus species were identified in the test areas. Two populations of Populus present into two different ecosystems (forest and wetland areas) were examined together with two cultivated varieties. The two ecosystems were characterized for the vegetation. Nuclear microsatellites were used to evaluate genetic diversity of poplar populations and level of breeding between natural and cultivated Populus. In addition the insect populations present on male and female poplars during flowering period have been studied.