Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. calabrica (Poir.) of the Fallistro Biogenetic Natural Reserve: state of “Giant pines” stand after 40 years of observations

• Main Authors: Vincenzo Bernardini, Silvano Avolio, Manuela Plutino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria 2020-11-01
• Series: Forest Systems
• Online Access: https://revistas.inia.es/index.php/fs/article/view/15936

Aim of study: (1) to assess structural parameters of Giant pines; (2) to compare three several inventories and relative parameters; (3) to assess mechanical stability of Giant pines. Area of study: Sila National Park, Calabria, Italy. Material and methods: Mechanical stability assessment and full dendrometric analysis were used. Main results: 40 years after the first measurements on the Giant pines, the most emblematic trees of the population confirmed the peculiar ecological characteristics of Calabrian pines: their posture, rapidity of growth, productivity and longevity. The pine forest containing 46 healthy monumental trees. The Ht/DBH ratio slightly decreased from first to last inventory. The decrease of the Ht/DBH ratio correspond to the increase of mechanical stability of trees. Research highlights: the importance of preserving the Fallistro Biogenetic Natural Reserve as a source of biodiversity and to maintain the high ecological stability that characterize this important Italian forest area. Keywords: Old-growth forest; Biodiversity conservation; Sustainable forestry; Calabrian pine; Forest ecology; deadwood.