Search results for " Quercus"
showing 10 items of 24 documents
Conservation of genetic diversity in artificially regenerated holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) populations
2004
Reforestation with autochtonous species should take into account the preservation of the variability and the geographical structure of genetic diversity in forest species. In order to provide empirical data, genetic composition of an artificial population of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and its natural seed-origin population in Andalusia were analysed with six microsatellite loci. The genetic diversity indices applied show a reduction in the artificial stand if compared with the natural one, probably due to an inappropriate forester seed collection strategy limited to a few trees.
Description of the sexual generation of Dryocosmus destefanii (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) and disclosure of its life cycle
2020
The sexual generation of Dryocosmus destefanii Cerasa & Melika, 2018 that emerges from galls on Q. suber L. in Italy is described for the first time, establishing its heterogonic life cycle. We provide observations on its distribution, illustration of adults and galls and information on its biology as supported by morphological and molecular data. An illustrated identification key to Western Palaearctic Dryocosmus species is also given.
Linee di gestione sostenibili per le risorse forestali
2007
The cork oak in the Mountains of Palermo (Italy): ecological insights from the south-eastern edge of its distribution range
2020
Abstract: The uneven presence of the cork oak (Quercus suber L.) within its distribution range is not only determined by its climatic requirements but also by specific edaphic needs. Although most of the natural populations thrive in acidic soils deriving from metamorphic or volcanic rock outcrops, some cork oak populations are found growing in soils deriving from calcareous bedrock, which are considered less suitable. We carried out a multidisciplinary investigation at the south eastern edge of the Q. suber distribution range (Mountains of Palermo, NW Sicily), including soil, floristic, and vegetation surveys, aimed at: (i) assessing the native or introduced origin of some peculiar cork oa…
Recovery of cork forests and enhancement of by-products
2022
Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a tree species native to the western Mediterranean Basin (EUFORGEN 2019). Cork oak forests are human-shaped ecosystems that have to be managed to be preserved in a long-term perspective. Cork oak stands range from closed forests to open woodlands, provide high ecosystem services, mainly through cork production, support high biodiversity and provide carbon storage and water regulation services. Due to their important ecological role, these ecosystems are listed in the European Habitats Directive (Habitat 9330: Quercus suber forests, EEC, 1992). In the last years, especially in Italy, cork oak stands are undergoing a relevant regression due to the decline of tra…
Preliminary observations on fungal endophytic community and mycorrhizal status in symptomless Quercus ilex seedlings
2014
Recently, a study on the Quercus ilex L. decay caused by biotic and abiotic agents has hypothesized alterations on endophytic and mycorrhizal fungal populations. Since holm oak is among the most representative Mediterranean species, that occurs widely in both urban and rural areas, in this work we preliminarly report these symbiotic fungal communities in asymptomatic seedlings, in order to compare these populations with those found in seedlings subjected to water and saline stress. Endophytic fungi were isolated from twigs and leaves and identified by morphological and molecular analysis. The ectomycorrhizal status was evaluated on root samples randomly selected to calculate the percentage …
Flora and vegetation of pastures utilized by the Sicilian Black Pig of the Nebrodi Mountains (NE Sicily).
2007
Holocene environmental and climatic changes at Gorgo Basso, a coastal lake in southern Sicily, Italy
2009
Abstract We used a new sedimentary record to reconstruct the Holocene vegetation and fire history of Gorgo Basso, a coastal lake in south-western Sicily (Italy). Pollen and charcoal data suggest a fire-prone open grassland near the site until ca 10,000 cal yr BP (8050 cal BC), when Pistacia shrubland expanded and fire activity declined, probably in response to increased moisture availability. Evergreen Olea europaea woods expanded ca 8400 to decline abruptly at 8200 cal yr BP, when climatic conditions became drier at other sites in the Mediterranean region. Around 7000 cal yr BP evergreen broadleaved forests ( Quercus ilex , Quercus suber and O. europaea ) expanded at the cost of open commu…
A chronosequence study of vegetation dynamics on vine and caper terraces of Pantelleria Island (Sicily)
2006
The vegetation of fallow fields of different age in the terraced agricultural landscape of Pantelleria Island (Sicily) was analysed via vegetation relevés. Five age classes in N-facing as well as in S-facing slopes of both vine and caper fallows were differentiated. The main questions were to determine the sequence of plant communities in time and to test some environmental factors for their influence on the course and the speed of succession. The results show that undisturbed abandoned terraces are subject to rapid renaturation: 50 to 80 years old fallows are now covered by dense maquis communities. Both N- and S-facing slopes seem to converge to a Quercus ilex woodland as the climax commu…
The order Quercetalia virgilianae: a new proposal for the classification of semi-deciduous forests in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean area.
2017
The semi-deciduous oaks belonging to Quercus pubescens s.l. group (Q. congesta C. Presl, Q. virgiliana (Ten.) Ten., Q. dalechampii Ten., Q. amplifolia Guss. and Q. leptobalanus Guss.) are widespread in the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia and along the southern coasts of the Balkan peninsula and more generally in the whole Mediterranean area, especially in the transition zone between the temperate and Mediterranean macrobioclimate identified by the sub-mediterranean variant (Brullo et al., 1999). These forests are currently expanding rapidly because of the decreased anthropic exploitation. The syntaxonomic classification of these forest typologies is quite critical, because their florist…