michele lonati - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by michele lonati

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2012

ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the defin... more ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the definition of the geographic boundaries between the western Alps phytosociological associations, due to their intermediate position between Insubrian and inner-alpine communities. In order to describe the phytosociology and syntaxonomy of F. paniculata communities in the study area, 17 original relevés data were analyzed. The communities were referred to Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae juniperetosum nanae, previously described in the Meje-Ecrins-Pelvoux Massif (France). Our results exclude the presence in Valle d’Aosta of Centaureo uniflorae-Festucetum spadiceae, supposed by previous works, and define in Colma di Mombarone (Biella and Torino districts) the western boundary of the Insubrian association Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae. The border between Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae and Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae is in accordance to differences in continentality conditions, that divide the outer areas of the Insubrian region from the subcontinental and continental zones of Valle d’Aosta.

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2012

ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the defin... more ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the definition of the geographic boundaries between the western Alps phytosociological associations, due to their intermediate position between Insubrian and inner-alpine communities. In order to describe the phytosociology and syntaxonomy of F. paniculata communities in the study area, 17 original relevés data were analyzed. The communities were referred to Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae juniperetosum nanae, previously described in the Meje-Ecrins-Pelvoux Massif (France). Our results exclude the presence in Valle d’Aosta of Centaureo uniflorae-Festucetum spadiceae, supposed by previous works, and define in Colma di Mombarone (Biella and Torino districts) the western boundary of the Insubrian association Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae. The border between Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae and Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae is in accordance to differences in continentality conditions, that divide the outer areas of the Insubrian region from the subcontinental and continental zones of Valle d’Aosta.

Botanica Helvetica, 2009

The spread of exotic plants represents a new challenge for conservation management since practice... more The spread of exotic plants represents a new challenge for conservation management since practices commonly used to maintain semi-natural, open vegetation may promote the establishment of plant invaders. Panicum acuminatum Swartz is a perennial grass native to America that was naturalized in southern European heathlands. The effect of conservation management on the spread of this invasive species was studied in a heathland in NW Italy along an experimental disturbance gradient created by mowing, grazing, prescribed fire or various combinations of these treatments. Across treatments, the abundance of Panicum acuminatum was negatively correlated with the total abundance of the two dominant native species, Calluna vulgaris and Molinia arundinacea. The abundance of P. acuminatum differed significantly among treatments depending on the intensity and frequency of disturbance (phytomass removal). Thus, its abundance was highest in the repeated fire treatments as well as in the combined fire + grazing and fire + mowing treatments. Following these results, low-severity practices (grazing, mowing, occasional fire) seem most suitable to both reduce tree encroachment and control P. acuminatum spread. La diffusione di piante esotiche rappresenta una nuova sfida per la gestione con finalità conservative, in quanto pratiche gestionali comunemente utilizzate per mantenere alcune cenosi semi-naturali possono promuovere la presenza di specie invasive. Panicum acuminatum Swartz è una graminea perenne originaria dell’America, naturalizzata nelle brughiere del Sud Europa. L’effetto delle pratiche gestionali sulla diffusione della specie è stata studiato in una brughiera planiziale dell’Italia Nord-occidentale, lungo un gradiente di disturbo simulato sperimentalmente mediante l’impiego di fuoco prescritto, pascolamento, sfalcio e delle loro combinazioni. La presenza di Panicum acuminatum è risultata negativamente correlata con l’abbondanza totale delle due specie autoctone dominanti, Calluna vulgaris e Molinia arundinacea. L’effetto di ciascun trattamento ha evidenziato differenze significative su P. acuminatum, in relazione all’intensità e alla frequenza del disturbo (rimozione di fitomassa). L’abbondanza della specie è risultata più alta nei trattamenti che prevedono l’impiego ripetuto del fuoco prescritto e nei trattamenti con uso combinato fuoco + pascolamento e fuoco + sfalcio. Sulla base dei risultati ottenuti, le pratiche gestionali a ridotta intensità di disturbo (pascolamento, sfalcio, fuoco prescritto occasionale) appaiono più indicate, sia per ridurre l’invasione delle specie legnose, sia per contenere la diffusione di P. acuminatum.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Ecological Engineering, 2010

It is frequently believed that a post-fire environment requires immediate actions in order to be ... more It is frequently believed that a post-fire environment requires immediate actions in order to be restored. Salvage logging followed by plantation is a common post-fire restoration practice in many forests of the northwestern Italian Alps.

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2012

ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the defin... more ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the definition of the geographic boundaries between the western Alps phytosociological associations, due to their intermediate position between Insubrian and inner-alpine communities. In order to describe the phytosociology and syntaxonomy of F. paniculata communities in the study area, 17 original relevés data were analyzed. The communities were referred to Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae juniperetosum nanae, previously described in the Meje-Ecrins-Pelvoux Massif (France). Our results exclude the presence in Valle d’Aosta of Centaureo uniflorae-Festucetum spadiceae, supposed by previous works, and define in Colma di Mombarone (Biella and Torino districts) the western boundary of the Insubrian association Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae. The border between Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae and Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae is in accordance to differences in continentality conditions, that divide the outer areas of the Insubrian region from the subcontinental and continental zones of Valle d’Aosta.

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2012

ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the defin... more ABSTRACT Festuca paniculata communities in Valle d’Aosta (N.W. Italy) can contribute to the definition of the geographic boundaries between the western Alps phytosociological associations, due to their intermediate position between Insubrian and inner-alpine communities. In order to describe the phytosociology and syntaxonomy of F. paniculata communities in the study area, 17 original relevés data were analyzed. The communities were referred to Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae juniperetosum nanae, previously described in the Meje-Ecrins-Pelvoux Massif (France). Our results exclude the presence in Valle d’Aosta of Centaureo uniflorae-Festucetum spadiceae, supposed by previous works, and define in Colma di Mombarone (Biella and Torino districts) the western boundary of the Insubrian association Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae. The border between Junipero-Festucetum spadiceae and Polygalo chamaebuxi-Festucetum paniculatae is in accordance to differences in continentality conditions, that divide the outer areas of the Insubrian region from the subcontinental and continental zones of Valle d’Aosta.

Botanica Helvetica, 2009

The spread of exotic plants represents a new challenge for conservation management since practice... more The spread of exotic plants represents a new challenge for conservation management since practices commonly used to maintain semi-natural, open vegetation may promote the establishment of plant invaders. Panicum acuminatum Swartz is a perennial grass native to America that was naturalized in southern European heathlands. The effect of conservation management on the spread of this invasive species was studied in a heathland in NW Italy along an experimental disturbance gradient created by mowing, grazing, prescribed fire or various combinations of these treatments. Across treatments, the abundance of Panicum acuminatum was negatively correlated with the total abundance of the two dominant native species, Calluna vulgaris and Molinia arundinacea. The abundance of P. acuminatum differed significantly among treatments depending on the intensity and frequency of disturbance (phytomass removal). Thus, its abundance was highest in the repeated fire treatments as well as in the combined fire + grazing and fire + mowing treatments. Following these results, low-severity practices (grazing, mowing, occasional fire) seem most suitable to both reduce tree encroachment and control P. acuminatum spread. La diffusione di piante esotiche rappresenta una nuova sfida per la gestione con finalità conservative, in quanto pratiche gestionali comunemente utilizzate per mantenere alcune cenosi semi-naturali possono promuovere la presenza di specie invasive. Panicum acuminatum Swartz è una graminea perenne originaria dell’America, naturalizzata nelle brughiere del Sud Europa. L’effetto delle pratiche gestionali sulla diffusione della specie è stata studiato in una brughiera planiziale dell’Italia Nord-occidentale, lungo un gradiente di disturbo simulato sperimentalmente mediante l’impiego di fuoco prescritto, pascolamento, sfalcio e delle loro combinazioni. La presenza di Panicum acuminatum è risultata negativamente correlata con l’abbondanza totale delle due specie autoctone dominanti, Calluna vulgaris e Molinia arundinacea. L’effetto di ciascun trattamento ha evidenziato differenze significative su P. acuminatum, in relazione all’intensità e alla frequenza del disturbo (rimozione di fitomassa). L’abbondanza della specie è risultata più alta nei trattamenti che prevedono l’impiego ripetuto del fuoco prescritto e nei trattamenti con uso combinato fuoco + pascolamento e fuoco + sfalcio. Sulla base dei risultati ottenuti, le pratiche gestionali a ridotta intensità di disturbo (pascolamento, sfalcio, fuoco prescritto occasionale) appaiono più indicate, sia per ridurre l’invasione delle specie legnose, sia per contenere la diffusione di P. acuminatum.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Journal of Dairy Research, 2009

The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfe... more The nutritional distinctiveness of pasture-fed dairy products is mainly influenced by the transfer of specific chemical compounds from the grass to the milk and by their effect on rumen microflora and animal metabolism. Thus, the pasture-fed origin has to be objectively proven, using fast and reproducible analytical methods applied to finished products, in order to protect consumers against potential frauds. In this work, Electronic Nose patterns of Alpine milks produced by cows grazing Trifolium alpinum and Festuca nigrescens pasture types have been examined, in order to test the potential use of this device for routine control analyses of the botanical origin of milk and dairy products. The data have been treated with different multivariate analyses (MANOVA, LDA) and chemometrics (MPLS). The results allow a very good classification of the milks, according to the two treatments. Such results demonstrate that this device could be successfully applied to PDO dairy products food chain as a tool for the determination of their dietary origin.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Dairy Science & Technology, 2010

The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived ... more The aim of this study was to verify the variation in fatty acid composition of milk, and derived cheese, when dairy cows were grazed on different alpine vegetation types. An experimental design was developed to highlight the effect of pasture composition on milk and cheese fatty acid profiles, thereby mitigating the other variables (altitude, animal physiology, and animal management). Two dairy cow groups were grazed on two different key alpine vegetation types (Type 1: Trifolium alpinum, Nardus stricta, and Carex sempervirens and Type 2: Festuca nigrescens, Alchemilla xanthochlora, and Phleum alpinum). Bulk milk was collected separately from each group for 6 days, from which 12 artisanal cheeses were produced and ripened for 60 days. The fatty acid (FA) composition of the bulk milks and cheeses varied with the type of vegetation. Milk and cheese derived from cows that were grazed on Trifolium alpinum-dominated pastures were richer in long-chain FAs, unsaturated and monounsaturated FAs (particularly oleic acid), and odd-chain saturated FAs (such as C15:0 pentadecanoic and C17:0 heptadecanoic acids) while those from Festuca nigrescens pastures contained more short-and medium-chain FAs, saturated FAs, and α-linolenic acid. Furthermore, our results showed that in alpine grazing systems, milk and cheese FA profiles changed when cows were grazed on pastures with a different botanical composition, probably due to differences in forage quality and concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites. These results have to be taken into account for the valorization of the nutritional characteristics and for the traceability of grass-fed dairy products.

Ecological Engineering, 2010

It is frequently believed that a post-fire environment requires immediate actions in order to be ... more It is frequently believed that a post-fire environment requires immediate actions in order to be restored. Salvage logging followed by plantation is a common post-fire restoration practice in many forests of the northwestern Italian Alps.