Diversity patterns of plants, fungi and invertebrates were studied in 4 sites in the Provinces of Bolzano and Trento (Italian Alps) within the activities carried out in the ICP Integrated Monitoring program. Ecological and environmental factors were monitored from each site to assess the main factors of change in forest ecosystems. Two deciduous mixed forests at low altitude (550-700 m), and two spruce forests close to the timber line (1720-1820 m) were sampled. Stress factors for the forests resulted from gazing, touring, trampling, and, especially on low altitude stands, from reforestation with allocthone species and soil moisture deficit (increased by a series of dry and hot summers). Inventory of different taxa was carried out by different methods. About 2500 species of plants, fungi and invertebrates (mainly anthropods) were identified, considered for biodiversity analyses and correlated to environmental parameters and stress factors Diversity of plants, fungi and invertebrates was higher in the deciduous forests, with strong occurence of taxa with good dispersal power (Lepidotera, Heteroptera, some groups of Coleoptera). The relative abundances of some taxa were higher in coniferous stands (Collembola, some Coleoptera). A great turnover of species occurred between the deciduous and coniferous forests, but a significant variation in species composition was recorded also within the same forest type, which reflects the high gamma diversity of the area. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that plants, fungi and most invertebrate taxa appear to have a relatively uniform diversity pattern with respect to the altitude and climate variables. The biodiversity patterns on the studied forests reflect local and regional processes, and also the different land use history

Biodiversity and Stress Level in Four Forests of the Italian Alps

Furlanello, Cesare
1996-01-01

Abstract

Diversity patterns of plants, fungi and invertebrates were studied in 4 sites in the Provinces of Bolzano and Trento (Italian Alps) within the activities carried out in the ICP Integrated Monitoring program. Ecological and environmental factors were monitored from each site to assess the main factors of change in forest ecosystems. Two deciduous mixed forests at low altitude (550-700 m), and two spruce forests close to the timber line (1720-1820 m) were sampled. Stress factors for the forests resulted from gazing, touring, trampling, and, especially on low altitude stands, from reforestation with allocthone species and soil moisture deficit (increased by a series of dry and hot summers). Inventory of different taxa was carried out by different methods. About 2500 species of plants, fungi and invertebrates (mainly anthropods) were identified, considered for biodiversity analyses and correlated to environmental parameters and stress factors Diversity of plants, fungi and invertebrates was higher in the deciduous forests, with strong occurence of taxa with good dispersal power (Lepidotera, Heteroptera, some groups of Coleoptera). The relative abundances of some taxa were higher in coniferous stands (Collembola, some Coleoptera). A great turnover of species occurred between the deciduous and coniferous forests, but a significant variation in species composition was recorded also within the same forest type, which reflects the high gamma diversity of the area. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that plants, fungi and most invertebrate taxa appear to have a relatively uniform diversity pattern with respect to the altitude and climate variables. The biodiversity patterns on the studied forests reflect local and regional processes, and also the different land use history
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11582/1317
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