LUCIA CANTONI - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by LUCIA CANTONI

VI congresso nazionale sisef, 2007

VI congresso nazionale SISEF, 2007

La gestione sostenibile delle foreste e l’uso di biomasse legnose per la produzione di energia e ... more La gestione sostenibile delle foreste e l’uso di biomasse legnose per la produzione di energia e di prodotti rinnovabili rappresentano probabilmente il più rilevante contributo degli ecosistemi forestali alla riduzione della concentrazione atmosferica di gas serra, come richiesto dal Protocollo di Kyoto (Schlamadinger & Marland 1996). Se infatti è vero che la capacità del bosco di immagazzinare carbonio nelle piante e nei suoli potrebbe essere esaltata da una attenta politica di protezione delle foreste e di riduzione delle utilizzazioni (Harmon et al. 1990, De-war 1991), è anche noto che tale capacità di assorbi-mento è destinata a saturarsi nel tempo e può ridurre solo marginalmente la concentrazione atmosferica di CO2, il più diffuso dei 'gas serra ' (Scholes & Noble

Tree Physiology, 2005

Gas exchange was measured in a forest plantation dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Que... more Gas exchange was measured in a forest plantation dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Quercus robur L. in northern Italy, over three growing seasons that differed in water availability (2001, 2002 and 2003). The objectives were to: (1) determine variability in the photosynthetic parameters V cmax (maximum carboxylation capacity) and J max (maximum rate of electron transport) in relation to species, leaf ontogeny and drought; and (2) assess the potential of the photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship for estimating leaf photosynthetic capacity. Marked seasonal and interannual variability in photosynthetic capacity was observed, primarily caused by changes in leaf ontogeny and water stress. Relatively small differences were apparent between species. In the absence of water stress (year 2002), the seasonal patterns of V cmax and J max were characterized by a rapid increase during spring, a relatively steady state during summer and a rapid decline during autumn. In years with a moderate (year 2001) or a severe (year 2003) water stress, photosynthetic capacity decreased during the summer in proportion to drought intensity, without a parallel decline in leaf nitrogen content. The V cmax-nitrogen relationship was significantly affected by both leaf ontogeny and drought. As a consequence, the use of a single annual regression to predict V cmax from leaf nitrogen yielded good estimates only during the summer and in the absence of water stress. Irrespective of the mechanisms by which photosynthetic capacity is affected by water stress, its large seasonal and interannual variability is of great relevance for modeling the forest carbon cycle.

Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale, 2005

Plant and Soil, 2004

The minirhizotron technique was used to study the temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm... more The minirhizotron technique was used to study the temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) over a twelve-month period in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus oxyphylla Bieb.) trees growing in clay soil. The experiment was conducted in an eight-year-old mixed hardwood plantation established in northern Italy's Po lowlands on former farm land. Minirhizotron tubes were placed in mono-specific patches of oak and of ash and monitored from May 2000 to May 2001. Tubes were observed weekly from spring to fall and every two weeks during winter. The collected data for both species showed that while cumulative root length density of production (RLD p) and mortality (RLD m), as well as the RLD p 's vertical and diameter distribution, did not differ statistically between them (RLD p was 7.6 ± 0.89 and 7.31 ± 0.74, RLD m 4.74 ± 1.10 and 2.77 ± 0.60 mm cm −2 yr −1 ± Standard Error for oak and ash, respectively), the seasonal course of root production and mortality markedly differed. The oak trees displayed a nearly steady rate of root production from early spring regrowth to mid-autumn and the ash produced most of its fine roots over a shorter period, from March to late May. The rate of root mortality peaked during winter in oak and in ash was fairly constant throughout the experiment. The coarse fine roots (e.g., root 1.1-2.0 mm in diameter) in ash were preferentially produced in June and their frequency increased with soil depth and in oak were produced simultaneously and with the same vertical distribution of the smaller roots. Root median longevity (Lm) was slightly higher for ash than for oak and for summer than for fall and winter root cohorts; that in both species Lm was negatively related with root diameter confirms that roots smaller than 1.0 mm are highly dynamic. These findings may be relevant for a better understanding of the ecology of mixed pedunculate oak and narrow-leaved ash stands in clay soil.

Annals of Forest Science, 2005

The present study was carried out in three plots (20 × 50 m) established in even-aged Pinus nigra... more The present study was carried out in three plots (20 × 50 m) established in even-aged Pinus nigra (Austrian black pine) stands located at approximately the same altitude, characterised by a similar age but showing different growth rate. Spatial distribution of natural regeneration (NR) were examined for each species by calculating Ripley's K and Moran index and by analysing their age-and size structure. Although the species mixture of NR differed among the plots, Abies alba was always the most frequent. Results showed that the clumped distribution of NR prevails over the random one. The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated at least two modes of space colonisation in line with clumped distribution of NR. In the first, the seedlings occupy different micro-areas in different times, whereas in the second the colonisation process occurs in the same micro-area for a more extended time. The resulting structure of NR is constituted by several small patches of different age in the first case or by patches with a similar uneven-aged structure in the second. These different colonisation patterns could be ascribed respectively to short-term disturbances such as sudden opening in the canopy and litter removal in the first case and to longterm disturbances or the presence of scarcely modifiable environmental factors such as soil characteristics and micro-morphology in the second. However, the colonisation process was always temporally limited. Age structures of the different species overlapped and were not related to stand basal area. As both colonisation patterns are likely to increase the structural and floristic complexity of the future stands, our data further confirm the important role played by Pinus nigra in recovering degraded lands. natural regeneration / Pinus nigra / Ripley's K / Moran's I / spatial pattern Résumé-Dynamique spatiale de la régénération forestière sous des pins noirs dans le nord des Apennins (Italie). Cette étude a été menée dans 3 placeaux (20 × 50 m) installés dans des peuplements équiennes de Pins noirs situés approximativement à la même altitude, caractérisés par un âge similaire mais présentant des taux de croissance différents. La distribution spatiale de la régénération naturelle (NR) a été étudiée pour chaque espèce en calculant les index de Ripley et de Moran et en analysant leur âge et la taille des structures. Bien que le mélange des espèces de la régénération naturelle diffère selon les placeaux, Abies alba était toujours le plus fréquent. Les résultats montrent que la distribution groupée de NR prévaut sur une distribution au hasard. L'analyse d'autocorrélation spatiale indique au moins deux modes de colonisation de l'espace allant dans le sens d'une distribution groupée de la RN. D'abord, les semis occupent à différents moments différentes microsurfaces tandis que dans un deuxième temps les processus de colonisation arrivent dans la même microsurface pour une durée plus importante. La structure résultante de la NR est constituée par plusieurs petites taches d'âge différent dans le premier cas ou de taches avec des structures similaires d'âge différent dans le second. Ces différents modèles de colonisation pourraient être attribués respectivement à des perturbations à court terme tels que une ouverture brutale dans la canopée et un enlèvement de la litière dans le premier cas, et des perturbations à long terme ou la présence de quelques facteurs environnementaux modifiables telles que les caractéristiques du sol et la micromorphologie dans le second. Cependant les processus de colonisation étaient toujours temporairement limités. Les structures des âges des différentes espèces se recoupaient et n'étaient pas reliées à la surface terrière du peuplement. Alors que les deux modèles de colonisation sont probables dans l'accroissement de la complexité structurale et floristique des futurs peuplements, nos données confirment davantage le rôle important joué par le pin noir en colonisant des terrains dégradés. régénération naturelle / Pinus nigra / Ripley's K / Moran's I / modèle spatial

Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale, 2005

What role for afforestation in Italian strategies towards the Kyoto Protocol? Hints from a Kyoto ... more What role for afforestation in Italian strategies towards the Kyoto Protocol? Hints from a Kyoto forest in the Po Valley (Northern Italy). The carbon balance of an afforested area in the Emilia-Romagna floodplain has been monitored for a 4-year period. Detailed measurements covering both above-and below-ground components of biomass production and accumulation were complemented by eddy-covariance measurements at the ecosystem level. Experimental results have been extrapolated in time by means of a process-based ecosystem model, so as to better assess the potential role of afforestation towards the carbon-reduction goals of the Kyoto Protocol.

VI congresso nazionale sisef, 2007

VI congresso nazionale SISEF, 2007

La gestione sostenibile delle foreste e l’uso di biomasse legnose per la produzione di energia e ... more La gestione sostenibile delle foreste e l’uso di biomasse legnose per la produzione di energia e di prodotti rinnovabili rappresentano probabilmente il più rilevante contributo degli ecosistemi forestali alla riduzione della concentrazione atmosferica di gas serra, come richiesto dal Protocollo di Kyoto (Schlamadinger & Marland 1996). Se infatti è vero che la capacità del bosco di immagazzinare carbonio nelle piante e nei suoli potrebbe essere esaltata da una attenta politica di protezione delle foreste e di riduzione delle utilizzazioni (Harmon et al. 1990, De-war 1991), è anche noto che tale capacità di assorbi-mento è destinata a saturarsi nel tempo e può ridurre solo marginalmente la concentrazione atmosferica di CO2, il più diffuso dei 'gas serra ' (Scholes & Noble

Tree Physiology, 2005

Gas exchange was measured in a forest plantation dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Que... more Gas exchange was measured in a forest plantation dominated by Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Quercus robur L. in northern Italy, over three growing seasons that differed in water availability (2001, 2002 and 2003). The objectives were to: (1) determine variability in the photosynthetic parameters V cmax (maximum carboxylation capacity) and J max (maximum rate of electron transport) in relation to species, leaf ontogeny and drought; and (2) assess the potential of the photosynthesis-nitrogen relationship for estimating leaf photosynthetic capacity. Marked seasonal and interannual variability in photosynthetic capacity was observed, primarily caused by changes in leaf ontogeny and water stress. Relatively small differences were apparent between species. In the absence of water stress (year 2002), the seasonal patterns of V cmax and J max were characterized by a rapid increase during spring, a relatively steady state during summer and a rapid decline during autumn. In years with a moderate (year 2001) or a severe (year 2003) water stress, photosynthetic capacity decreased during the summer in proportion to drought intensity, without a parallel decline in leaf nitrogen content. The V cmax-nitrogen relationship was significantly affected by both leaf ontogeny and drought. As a consequence, the use of a single annual regression to predict V cmax from leaf nitrogen yielded good estimates only during the summer and in the absence of water stress. Irrespective of the mechanisms by which photosynthetic capacity is affected by water stress, its large seasonal and interannual variability is of great relevance for modeling the forest carbon cycle.

Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale, 2005

Plant and Soil, 2004

The minirhizotron technique was used to study the temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm... more The minirhizotron technique was used to study the temporal dynamics of fine roots (diameter ≤2 mm) over a twelve-month period in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus oxyphylla Bieb.) trees growing in clay soil. The experiment was conducted in an eight-year-old mixed hardwood plantation established in northern Italy's Po lowlands on former farm land. Minirhizotron tubes were placed in mono-specific patches of oak and of ash and monitored from May 2000 to May 2001. Tubes were observed weekly from spring to fall and every two weeks during winter. The collected data for both species showed that while cumulative root length density of production (RLD p) and mortality (RLD m), as well as the RLD p 's vertical and diameter distribution, did not differ statistically between them (RLD p was 7.6 ± 0.89 and 7.31 ± 0.74, RLD m 4.74 ± 1.10 and 2.77 ± 0.60 mm cm −2 yr −1 ± Standard Error for oak and ash, respectively), the seasonal course of root production and mortality markedly differed. The oak trees displayed a nearly steady rate of root production from early spring regrowth to mid-autumn and the ash produced most of its fine roots over a shorter period, from March to late May. The rate of root mortality peaked during winter in oak and in ash was fairly constant throughout the experiment. The coarse fine roots (e.g., root 1.1-2.0 mm in diameter) in ash were preferentially produced in June and their frequency increased with soil depth and in oak were produced simultaneously and with the same vertical distribution of the smaller roots. Root median longevity (Lm) was slightly higher for ash than for oak and for summer than for fall and winter root cohorts; that in both species Lm was negatively related with root diameter confirms that roots smaller than 1.0 mm are highly dynamic. These findings may be relevant for a better understanding of the ecology of mixed pedunculate oak and narrow-leaved ash stands in clay soil.

Annals of Forest Science, 2005

The present study was carried out in three plots (20 × 50 m) established in even-aged Pinus nigra... more The present study was carried out in three plots (20 × 50 m) established in even-aged Pinus nigra (Austrian black pine) stands located at approximately the same altitude, characterised by a similar age but showing different growth rate. Spatial distribution of natural regeneration (NR) were examined for each species by calculating Ripley's K and Moran index and by analysing their age-and size structure. Although the species mixture of NR differed among the plots, Abies alba was always the most frequent. Results showed that the clumped distribution of NR prevails over the random one. The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated at least two modes of space colonisation in line with clumped distribution of NR. In the first, the seedlings occupy different micro-areas in different times, whereas in the second the colonisation process occurs in the same micro-area for a more extended time. The resulting structure of NR is constituted by several small patches of different age in the first case or by patches with a similar uneven-aged structure in the second. These different colonisation patterns could be ascribed respectively to short-term disturbances such as sudden opening in the canopy and litter removal in the first case and to longterm disturbances or the presence of scarcely modifiable environmental factors such as soil characteristics and micro-morphology in the second. However, the colonisation process was always temporally limited. Age structures of the different species overlapped and were not related to stand basal area. As both colonisation patterns are likely to increase the structural and floristic complexity of the future stands, our data further confirm the important role played by Pinus nigra in recovering degraded lands. natural regeneration / Pinus nigra / Ripley's K / Moran's I / spatial pattern Résumé-Dynamique spatiale de la régénération forestière sous des pins noirs dans le nord des Apennins (Italie). Cette étude a été menée dans 3 placeaux (20 × 50 m) installés dans des peuplements équiennes de Pins noirs situés approximativement à la même altitude, caractérisés par un âge similaire mais présentant des taux de croissance différents. La distribution spatiale de la régénération naturelle (NR) a été étudiée pour chaque espèce en calculant les index de Ripley et de Moran et en analysant leur âge et la taille des structures. Bien que le mélange des espèces de la régénération naturelle diffère selon les placeaux, Abies alba était toujours le plus fréquent. Les résultats montrent que la distribution groupée de NR prévaut sur une distribution au hasard. L'analyse d'autocorrélation spatiale indique au moins deux modes de colonisation de l'espace allant dans le sens d'une distribution groupée de la RN. D'abord, les semis occupent à différents moments différentes microsurfaces tandis que dans un deuxième temps les processus de colonisation arrivent dans la même microsurface pour une durée plus importante. La structure résultante de la NR est constituée par plusieurs petites taches d'âge différent dans le premier cas ou de taches avec des structures similaires d'âge différent dans le second. Ces différents modèles de colonisation pourraient être attribués respectivement à des perturbations à court terme tels que une ouverture brutale dans la canopée et un enlèvement de la litière dans le premier cas, et des perturbations à long terme ou la présence de quelques facteurs environnementaux modifiables telles que les caractéristiques du sol et la micromorphologie dans le second. Cependant les processus de colonisation étaient toujours temporairement limités. Les structures des âges des différentes espèces se recoupaient et n'étaient pas reliées à la surface terrière du peuplement. Alors que les deux modèles de colonisation sont probables dans l'accroissement de la complexité structurale et floristique des futurs peuplements, nos données confirment davantage le rôle important joué par le pin noir en colonisant des terrains dégradés. régénération naturelle / Pinus nigra / Ripley's K / Moran's I / modèle spatial

Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale, 2005

What role for afforestation in Italian strategies towards the Kyoto Protocol? Hints from a Kyoto ... more What role for afforestation in Italian strategies towards the Kyoto Protocol? Hints from a Kyoto forest in the Po Valley (Northern Italy). The carbon balance of an afforested area in the Emilia-Romagna floodplain has been monitored for a 4-year period. Detailed measurements covering both above-and below-ground components of biomass production and accumulation were complemented by eddy-covariance measurements at the ecosystem level. Experimental results have been extrapolated in time by means of a process-based ecosystem model, so as to better assess the potential role of afforestation towards the carbon-reduction goals of the Kyoto Protocol.