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Forest structure and understory functional diversity at multiple scales: The importance of median tree height
de Benedictis , Luciano Ludovico Maria , Chelli , Stefano , Zhu , Zhengxue , Cervellini , Marco , Canullo , R. , Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Tsakalos , James L. , Bartha , Sándor , Campetella , Giandiego
beech forest forest structural traits forest understorey functional diversity functional redundancy scale-dependent diversity terrestrial laser scanning
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2026
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
CrowNet: a trail-camera canopy monitoring system
Chianucci , Francesco , Lenzi , Alice , Minari , Emma , Guasti , Matteo , Gisondi , Silvia , Gonnelli , Marco , Innocenti , Simone , Ferrara , Carlotta , Campanaro , Alessandro , Ciampelli , Paola , Cutini , Andrea , Puletti , Nicola
camera trapping canopy cover digital cover photography leaf area index phenology
Mostra abstract
Continuous monitoring of forest canopy structure and phenology is pivotal for the assessment of ecosystem responses to environmental variability and changes. The present study evaluated the use of repeat digital trail cameras as a low-cost, flexible, and accessible in situ monitoring solution for quantifying daily canopy attributes, including effective leaf area index (Le) and canopy cover. A trial camera monitoring network (CrowNet) was established encompassing 20 forest stands in Italy, under different management and environmental conditions, resulting in over 44,000 daily images collected over three years. We demonstrated that taking the mean daily canopy attribute allowed to obtain smooth time series from trail cameras, from which phenological transition dates can be inferred. Daily canopy attributes were validated against manual digital cover photography measurement. To further explore the applicability of this monitoring solution, we performed a comparison between daily Le time series derived from a subset of trail cameras located in beech forests and data collected by multitemporal UAV LiDAR. Results demonstrated the close agreement between the two methods across the entire phenological period (start and end of season). We also illustrated use of continuous trail camera estimates to calibrate a vegetation index (NDVI) to infer leaf area and canopy cover from optical multi-temporal UAV data. We further investigated use of trail camera to detect species-specific differences in tree phenology from time series acquired in a mixed oak-hornbeam forest. We found different canopy structure and phenological transition dates in three broadleaved species (oak, ash, hornbeam), supporting the effectiveness of trail cameras for species-oriented phenology monitoring. We conclude that trail cameras provide a reliable solution for daily canopy monitoring, offering a significant cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional field methods and providing potential to calibrate, validate or integrate remotely-sensed information. However, camera failures during adverse weather, and the need for more efficient image data quality checking procedures, still represent open challenges. Future improvements, such as weatherproof housing and automated pre-processing screening procedures, are therefore recommended for making trail camera fully operational in ground canopy and phenology monitoring. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
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2025
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 372
DOI
LAIr: an R package to estimate LAI from Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Bajocco , Sofia , Ferrara , Carlotta , Savian , Francesco , Ginaldi , Fabrizio , Puletti , Nicola , Crecco , Lorenzo , Bregaglio , Simone Ugo Maria , Chianucci , Francesco
remote sensing leaf area index field crop ndvi
Mostra abstract
Leaf area index (LAI) is an important biophysical parameter describing vegetation. LAI is typically retrieved from optical remote sensing by empirical models relating LAI to vegetation indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). As the relationship between LAI and NDVI is non-linear and crop type dependant, several specific empirical equations relating LAI to NDVI have been developed using field data. This study presented LAIr, an R package to derive LAI from NDVI data from the most comprehensive library of conversion equations. In the package, the range of functions differs on environmental factors, sensors, and vegetation types, allowing flexibility in choosing appropriate options based on specific application, scale of investigation and data availability. We illustrated the use of the package with a case study to compare a generic LAI product with specific NDVI-based LAI estimations. By leveraging empirical knowledge, LAIr enables accurate and context-specific estimation of LAI. The deployment of an open-source R package serves as a valuable tool for aiding researchers in selecting the most appropriate equations for conducting NDVI-to-LAI conversion. © 2024
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2024
Rivista
SoftwareX
Dettagli
Vol. 27
DOI
Estimating canopy and stand structure in hybrid poplar plantations from multispectral UAV imagery
Romano , Elio , Brambilla , Massimo , Chianucci , Francesco , Tattoni , Clara , Puletti , Nicola , Chirici , Gherardo , Travaglini , Davide , Giannetti , Francesca
canopy photography canopy structure poplar plantation texture metrics digital camera gclm metrics unmanned aerial vehicle
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of canopy structure like canopy cover (CC), Leaf Area Index (LAI), crown volume (Vcr), as well as tree and stand structure like stem volume (V_st) and basal area (G), are considered essential measures to manage poplar plantations effectively as they are correlated with the growth rate and the detection of possible stress. This research exploits the possibility of developing a precision forestry application using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), terrestrial digital camera and traditional field measurements to monitor poplar plantation variables. We set up the procedure using explanatory variables from the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix textural metrics (Entropy, Variance, Dissimilarity and Contrast) calculated based on UAV multispectral imagery. Our results show that the GCLM texture derived by multispectral ortomosaic provides adequate explanatory variables to predict poplar plantation characteristics related to plants' canopy and stand structure. The evaluation of the models targeting the different poplar plantation variables (i.e. Vcr, G_ha, Vst_ha, CC and LAI) with the four GLCM explanatory variables (i.e. Entropy, Variance, Dissimilarity and Contrast) consistently higher or equal resulted to R<sup>2</sup> ≥0.86. © 2024, Editura Silvica. All rights reserved.
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2024
Rivista
Annals of Forest Research
Dettagli
Vol. 67 (1) pp. 143 - 154
DOI
coveR: an R package for processing digital cover photography images to retrieve forest canopy attributes
Chianucci , Francesco , Ferrara , Carlotta , Puletti , Nicola
canopy cover leaf area index canopy photography forest canopy image processing large gap removal
Mostra abstract
Key message: coveR is an R package for estimating canopy attributes from digital cover photography (DCP) images. The simplicity of the method and the open-accessibility of coveR can effectively extend the accessibility and applicability of DCP to a wider audience. Abstract: Digital cover photography (DCP) is an increasingly popular tool for estimating canopy cover and leaf area index (LAI). However, existing solutions to process canopy images are predominantly tailored for hemispherical photography, whereas open-access tools for DCP are lacking. We developed an R package (coveR) to support the whole processing of DCP images in an automated, fast, and reproducible way. The package functions, which are designed for step-by-step single-image analysis, can be performed sequentially in a pipeline while ensuring quality-checking of each processing step. A wrapper function ‘coveR()’ is also created to perform all the image processing workflow in a single function. A case study is presented to demonstrate the reliability of canopy attributes derived from coveR in pure beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stands with variable canopy density and structure. Estimates of gap fraction and effective LAI from DCP were validated against reference measurements obtained from terrestrial laser scanning. By providing a simple, transparent, and flexible image processing procedure, coveR supported the use of DCP for routine measurements and monitoring of forest canopy attributes. This, combined with the possibility to implement DCP in many devices, including smartphones, micro-cameras, and remote trail cameras, can greatly expand the accessibility of the method also by non-experts. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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2022
Rivista
Trees - Structure and Function
Dettagli
Vol. 36 (6) pp. 1933 - 1942
DOI
Estimated biomass loss caused by the vaia windthrow in northern italy: Evaluation of active and passive remote sensing options
Vaglio Laurin , Gaia , Puletti , Nicola , Tattoni , Clara , Ferrara , Carlotta , Pirotti , Francesco
sar lidar forest biomass windthrown
Mostra abstract
Windstorms are a major disturbance factor for European forests. The 2018 Vaia storm, felled large volumes of timber in Italy causing serious ecological and financial losses. Remote sensing is fundamental for primary assessment of damages and post‐emergency phase. An explicit estimation of the timber loss caused by Vaia using satellite remote sensing was not yet undertaken. In this investigation, three different estimates of timber loss were compared in two study sites in the Alpine area: pre‐existing local growing stock volume maps based on lidar data, a recent national‐level forest volume map, and an novel estimation of AGB values based on active and passive remote sensing. The compared datasets resemble the type of information that a forest manager might potentially find or produce. The results show a significant disagreement in the different biomass estimates, related to the methods used to produce them, the study areas characteristics, and the size of the damaged areas. These sources of uncertainty highlight the difficulty of estimating timber loss, unless a unified national or regional European strategy to improve preparedness to forest hazards is defined. Considering the frequent impacts on forest resources that occurred in the last years in the European Union, remote sensing‐based surveys targeting forests is urgent, particularly for the many European countries that still lack reliable forest stocks data. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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2021
Rivista
Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 13 (23)
DOI
Influence of voxel size and point cloud density on crown cover estimation in poplar plantations using terrestrial laser scanning
Puletti , Nicola , Grotti , Mirko , Ferrara , Carlotta , Chianucci , Francesco
canopy photography forest structure voxelization canopy gap fraction phase-shift laser scanner
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of crown cover (CC) are central for a wide range of forestry studies. As direct measurements do not exist to retrieve this variable in the field, CC is conventionally determined from optical measurements as the complement of gap fraction close to the zenith. As an alternative to passive optical measurements, active sensors like terrestrial Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) allows for characterizing the 3D canopy structure with unprecedented detail. We evaluated the reliability of terrestrial LiDAR (TLS) to estimate CC using a voxel-based approach. Specifically, we tested how different voxel sizes (ranging from 5-20 cm) and voxel densities (1-9 points/dm<sup>3</sup>) influenced the retrieval of CC. Results were compared against benchmark values obtained from digital cover photography (DCP). The trial was performed in hybrid poplar plantations in Northern Italy. Results indicate that TLS can be used for obtaining accurate estimates of CC, but the choice of voxel size and point density is critical for achieving such accuracy. In hybrid poplars, the best performance was obtained using voxel size of 10 cm and point density of 8 points/dm<sup>3</sup>. The combined ability of measuring and mapping CC also holds great potential to use TLS for calibrating and upscaling results using coarser-scale remotely sensed products. © 2021 Centro di Ricerca per la Selvicoltura, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria. All rights reserved.
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2021
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 46 (2) pp. 148 - 154
DOI
A deep learning approach for automatic mapping of poplar plantations using Sentinel-2 imagery
D'Amico , Giovanni , Francini , Saverio , Giannetti , Francesca , Vangi , Elia , Travaglini , Davide , Chianucci , Francesco , Mattioli , Walter , Grotti , Mirko , Puletti , Nicola , Corona , P. , Chirici , Gherardo
deep learning big data forest tree crops fully connected neural networks multitemporal classification tree species mapping
Mostra abstract
Poplars are one of the most widespread fast-growing tree species used for forest plantations. Owing to their distinct features (fast growth and short rotation) and the dependency on the timber price market, poplar plantations are characterized by large inter-annual fluctuations in their extent and distribution. Therefore, monitoring poplar plantations requires a frequent update of information–not feasible by National Forest Inventories due to their periodicity–achievable by remote sensing systems applications. In particular, the new Sentinel-2 mission, with a revisiting period of 5 days, represents a potentially efficient tool for meeting this need. In this paper, we present a deep learning approach for mapping poplar plantations using Sentinel-2 time series. A reference dataset of poplar plantations was available for a large study area of more than 46,000 km<sup>2</sup> in Northern Italy and served as training and testing data. Two classification methods were compared: (1) a fully connected neural network (also called multilayer perceptron), and (2) a traditional logistic regression. The performance of the two approaches was estimated through bootstrapping procedure with a confidence interval of 99%. Results indicated for deep learning an omission error rate of 2.77%±2.76%, showing improvements compared to logistic regression, omission error rate = 8.91%±4.79%. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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2021
Rivista
GIScience and Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 58 (8) pp. 1352 - 1368
DOI
Influence of image pixel resolution on canopy cover estimation in poplar plantations from field, aerial and satellite optical imagery
Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Grotti , Mirko , Bisaglia , Carlo , Giannetti , Francesca , Romano , Elio , Brambilla , Massimo , Mattioli , Walter , Cabassi , Giovanni , Bajocco , Sofia , Li , Linyuan , Chirici , Gherardo , Corona , P. , Tattoni , Clara
canopy photography crown cover foliage cover sentinel-2 unmanned aerial vehicles
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of canopy cover (CC) are central for a wide range of forestry studies. As direct measurements are impractical, indirect optical methods have often been used to estimate CC from the complement of gap fraction measurements obtained with restricted-view sensors. In this short note we evaluated the influence of the image pixel resolution (ground sampling distance; GSD) on CC estimation in poplar plantations obtained from field (cover photography; GSD < 1 cm), unmanned aerial (UAV; GSD <10 cm) and satellite (Sentinel-2; GSD = 10 m) imagery. The trial was conducted in poplar tree plantations in Northern Italy, with varying age and canopy cover. Results indicated that the coarser resolution available from satellite data is suitable to obtain estimates of canopy cover, as compared with field measurements obtained from cover photography; therefore, S2 is recommended for larger scale monitoring and routine assessment of canopy cover in poplar plantations. The higher resolution of UAV compared with Sentinel-2 allows finer assessment of canopy structure, which could also be used for calibrating metrics obtained from coarser-scale remote sensing products, avoiding the need of ground measurements. © 2021 Centro di Ricerca per la Selvicoltura, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria. All rights reserved.
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2021
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 46 (1) pp. 8 - 13
DOI
Nondestructive tree stem and crown volume allometry in hybrid poplar plantations derived from terrestrial laser scanning
Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Grotti , Mirko , Ferrara , Carlotta , Giorcelli , Achille , Coaloa , Domenico , Tattoni , Clara
3d tree structure height-diameter growing functions populus terrestrial lidar (tls) tree volume
Mostra abstract
Accurate and frequently updated tree volume estimates are required for poplar plantations, which are characterized by fast growth rate and short rotation. In this study, we tested the potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) as a reliable method for developing nondestructive tree volume allometries in poplar plantations. The trial was conducted in Italy, where 4- to 10-year-old hybrid plantations were sampled to develop tree crown volume allometry in leaf-on conditions, tree stem volume, and height-diameter allometries in leaf-off conditions. We tested one-entry models based on diameter and two-entry models based on both diameter and height. Model performance was assessed by residual analysis. Results indicate that TLS can provide accurate models of tree stem and crown volume, with percentage of root-mean-square error of about 20 percent and 15 percent, respectively. The inclusion of height does not bring relevant improvement in the models, so that only diameter can be used to predict tree stem and crown volume. The TLS-measured stem volume estimates agreed with an available formula derived from harvesting. We concluded that TLS is a reliable method for developing nondestructive volume allometries in poplar plantations and holds great potential to enhance conventional tree inventory and monitoring. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of American Foresters. All rights reserved.
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2020
Rivista
Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 66 (6) pp. 737 - 746
DOI
Probabilistic sampling and estimation for large-scale assessment of poplar plantations in Northern Italy
Corona , P. , Chianucci , Francesco , Marcelli , Agnese , Gianelle , Damiano , Fattorini , Lorenzo , Grotti , Mirko , Puletti , Nicola , Mattioli , Walter
forest inventory hybrid poplar populus spp tessellation stratified sampling two-phase sampling
Mostra abstract
In the recent decades, growing demand for wood products, combined with efforts to conserve natural forests, has supported a steady increase in the global extent of planted forests. In this paper, a two-phase sampling strategy for large-scale assessment of hybrid poplar plantations in Northern Italy was implemented. The first phase was performed by means of tessellation stratified sampling on high-resolution remotely sensed imagery, covering the survey area by a grid of regular polygons of equal size and randomly and independently selecting one point per quadrat. All the plantations spotted by at least one sample point were selected. In the second phase, we randomly chosen a subset of plantations by stratified sampling that were visited on the ground to collect qualitative and quantitative attributes. The resulting estimates were reliable, and the survey demonstrated relatively easy to be implemented and replicated. These considerations support the use of the proposed sampling strategy to frequently update information on fast-growing forest plantations within agricultural farms, like hybrid poplar crops. Moreover, the results of the case study here presented highlight the relevance of hybrid poplar plantations in Italy, in the context of sustainable development strategies under a green economy perspective. © 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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2020
Rivista
European Journal of Forest Research
Dettagli
Vol. 139 (6) pp. 981 - 988
DOI
Lidar-based estimates of aboveground biomass through ground, aerial, and satellite observation: A case study in a Mediterranean forest
Puletti , Nicola , Grotti , Mirko , Ferrara , Carlotta , Chianucci , Francesco
aboveground biomass global ecosystem dynamics investigation mission light detection and ranging mobile terrestrial laser scanner
Mostra abstract
Light detection and ranging (Lidar) is considered the most advanced technology to assess forest aboveground biomass (AGB). Currently, this technology is shared by different sensors ranging from ground [terrestrial laser scanning (TLS)], airborne [aerial laser scanning (ALS)] up to spaceborne ones, which entail different spatial scales. However, few studies tested the simultaneous and combined use of Lidar to estimate AGB, linking ground measurements up to satellite observations. To fill this gap, we performed a study in two Mediterranean forest types [i.e., mountainous beech (Fagus sylvatica) and black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. laricio)] with contrasting structures (i.e., broadleaf versus needleleaf forests), where field inventory, TLS, ALS, and the recent spaceborne Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data were simultaneously acquired. A three-step procedure was followed, which involved (i) the validation of AGB estimates obtained from TLS against reference values obtained from conventional field inventory; (ii) the calibration and validation of AGB estimates derived from ALS against TLS measurements, and (iii) the calibration and validation of AGB estimates derived from GEDI against mapped AGB values obtained from ALS. Our main results indicated that TLS provides consistent measurements of AGB as compared with field measurements (R2 ranged between 0.6 and 0.9 and root-mean-square error ranged between 29% and 49%), indicating its potential as ground reference for airborne Lidar observations. The combined availability of ground, airborne, and spaceborne observations is suitable to link ground measurements up to satellite observations. Differences in Lidar performance between needleleaf and broadleaf forests are also considered and discussed. © 2020 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).
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2020
Rivista
Journal of Applied Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 14 (4)
DOI
An intensity, image-based method to estimate gap fraction, canopy openness and effective leaf area index from phase-shift terrestrial laser scanning
Grotti , Mirko , Calders , Kim , Origo , Niall , Puletti , Nicola , Alivernini , Alessandro , Ferrara , Carlotta , Chianucci , Francesco
hemispherical photography lai librat return intensity terrestrial lidar
Mostra abstract
Accurate in situ estimates of leaf area index (LAI) are essential for a wide range of ecological studies and applications. Due to the destructiveness and impracticality of direct measurements, indirect optical methods have mostly been used in the field to derive estimates of LAI from gap fraction measurements. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is strongly supporting use of this active technology, which possesses several advantages compared to passive sensors. However, edge effects and partial beam interceptions are significantly challenges for the accurate retrieval of gap fraction from 3D point cloud data available from TLS, particularly in phase-shift instruments, which in turns require point cloud filtering to correct erroneous point measurements. As the limitations above influences the point cloud, we proposed a new method which is based only on the laser return intensity (LRI) information derived from raw TLS data, which are used to generate 2D intensity images. The intensity image contains all the unfiltered LRI information captured by TLS, which is used to separate gap from non-gap pixels, using a procedure comparable to the standard image analysis processing of digital hemispherical images. This allows a theoretically consistent comparison between active and passive optical measurements of gap fraction across all the zenith angle range. The method was tested in real and simulated forests. Gap fraction, canopy openness and effective leaf area index derived from real and simulated intensity TLS images were compared with those obtained using digital hemispherical photography (DHP). Results indicated that the intensity, image-based method outperformed DHP, as the higher pixel resolution of the intensity images and the larger distance covered by TLS allowed detection of many small canopy elements, particularly at higher zenith angles (longer optical distance), which are not detected in DHP. The main findings support the reliability of the intensity, image-based method to standardize protocols for TLS phase-shift scan data processing and use of the produced canopy estimates as a benchmark for passive optical measurements. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.
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2020
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 280
DOI
Large-scale two-phase estimation of wood production by poplar plantations exploiting sentinel-2 data as auxiliary information
Marcelli , Agnese , Mattioli , Walter , Puletti , Nicola , Chianucci , Francesco , Gianelle , Damiano , Grotti , Mirko , Chirici , Gherardo , D'Amico , Giovanni , Francini , Saverio , Travaglini , Davide , Fattorini , Lorenzo , Corona , P.
national forest inventories regression estimator sentinel-2 design-based inference first-phase tessellation stratified sampling second-phase stratified sampling simulation study
Mostra abstract
Growing demand for wood products, combined with efforts to conserve natural forests, have supported a steady increase in the global extent of planted forests. Here, a two-phase sampling strategy for large-scale assessment of the total area and the total wood volume of fast-growing forest tree crops within agricultural land is presented. The first phase is performed using tessellation stratified sampling on high-resolution remotely sensed imagery and is sufficient for estimating the total area of plantations by means of a Monte Carlo integration estimator. The second phase is performed using stratified sampling of the plantations selected in the first phase and is aimed at estimating total wood volume by means of an approximation of the first-phase Horvitz-Thompson estimator. Vegetation indices from Sentinel-2 are exploited as freely available auxiliary information in a linear regression estimator to improve the design-based precision of the estimator based on the sole sample data. Estimators of the totals and of the design-based variances of total estimators are presented. A simulation study is developed in order to check the design-based performance of the two alternative estimators under several artificial distributions supposed for poplar plantations (random, clustered, spatially trended). An application in Northern Italy is also reported. The regression estimator turns out to be invariably better than that based on the sole sample information. Possible integrations of the proposed sampling scheme with conventional national forest inventories adopting tessellation stratified sampling in the first phase are discussed. © 2020, Finnish Society of Forest Science. All rights reserved.
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2020
Rivista
Silva Fennica
Dettagli
Vol. 54 (2)
DOI
Spatio-temporal variability in structure and diversity in a semi-natural mixed oak-hornbeam floodplain forest
Grotti , Mirko , Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Fardusi , Most Jannatul , Castaldi , Cristiano , Corona , P.
functional diversity mixed-forests non-spatial diversity spatial diversity temporal forest analysis
Mostra abstract
Mixed forests are particularly interesting for forest structure and diversity analyses, as higher complexity and diversity can be expected in these forests compared to pure ones. Integrating different approaches in the analyses of structure and diversity in these forests can provide complementary information on non-spatial, spatial and functional diversity patterns. The study aimed at evaluating the spatio-temporal dynamics in forest structure and diversity in a semi-natural mixed oak-hornbeam floodplain forest. All standing trees were mapped and inventoried in 1995, 2005 and 2016 in three 1-ha mixed forest stands, with different soil moisture regime (xeric, mesic, moist conditions). Traditional, non-spatial structure and diversity measures were coupled with spatially-explicit and functional diversity measures. Results indicated that the three stands showed limited variation in stand structure and similar non-spatial diversity attributes, despite the different species composition. Only the extension to spatial and functional analyses was able to reveal more pronounced differences of diversity patterns, as higher complexity, species mingling, and functional tree complementarity was observed in the moister stand. These findings support use of spatially-explicit measurements in traditional inventory measurement protocols to allow more refined analysis of diversity patterns. On the other hand, functional diversity can be easily implemented in diversity analyses, as it requires species abundance information (which is traditionally collected in forest inventory) and species-specific tree traits which can be inferred from literature. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
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2019
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 104 pp. 576 - 587
DOI
A PLOT SAMPLING STRATEGY FOR ESTIMATING THE AREA OF OLIVE TREE CROPS AND OLIVE TREE ABUNDANCE IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT
Grotti , Mirko , Puletti , Nicola , Chianucci , Francesco , Mattioli , Walter , Floris , Antonio , Clementel , Fabrizio , Torresan , C. , Marchi , Maurizio , Gentile , Alessandra , Pisante , Michele , Marcelli , Agnese , Corona , P.
tessellation stratified sampling olea europaea olive crops inventory
Mostra abstract
Accurate inventory and mapping of olive (Olea europaea L.) tree attributes represents a central issue to support the olive production system. With reference to the cultivation, there is a high heterogeneity and complexity in the cultivation of olive trees, which is reflected in the large variability in olive grove surfaces. This poses some challenge in accurately estimating olive tree attributes via traditional inventory approaches, as commonly adopted in national forest inventory. From a methodological point of view, the complexity and heterogeneity of olive tree groves can be comparable to the problem of accurately estimating tree outside forests (TOF) attributes. In this study, we tested whether a plot sampling approach formerly developed for TOF is suitable for estimating olive tree attributes at large scale. We tested this approach in a case study where the census of the olive crop area and the number of olive groves was conducted from photo-interpretation of high resolution aerial orthoimagery, used as benchmark to test the effectiveness of the plot sampling approach. The main result of this study is that the plot sampling method can be applied for estimating olive tree attributes. Our obtained RSEs were below 20%, with a limited sampling effort of about 6% of the studied population; the obtained RSEs were below 6% when increasing sampling up to about 21% the studied population. Using robust statistical procedures among countries, should allow obtaining harmonized and comparable information, which can increase the knowledge of olive geographical distribution and structure at its relevant Mediterranean scale. © 2019, Italian Society of Remote Sensing. All rights reserved.
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2019
Rivista
Trends in Earth Observation
Dettagli
Vol. 1 pp. 11 - 14
A spatio-temporal dataset of forest mensuration for the analysis of tree species structure and diversity in semi-natural mixed floodplain forests
Fardusi , Most Jannatul , Castaldi , Cristiano , Chianucci , Francesco , Corona , P. , Mason , Franco , Minari , Emma , Puletti , Nicola
spatial diversity point pattern analysis spatio-temporal analysis tree diversity tree-level forest inventory
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2018
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 75 (1)
DOI
Use of Sentinel-2 for forest classification in Mediterranean environments
Puletti , Nicola , Chianucci , Francesco , Castaldi , Cristiano
random forest european forest types forest classification jeffries-matusita (j-m) distance test multispectral satellite imagery
Mostra abstract
Spatially-explicit information on forest composition provides valuable information to fulfil scientific, ecological and management objectives and to monitor multiple changes in forest ecosystems. The recently developed Sentinel-2 (S2) satellite imagery holds great potential for improving the classification of forest types at medium-large scales due to the concurrent availability of multispectral bands with high spatial resolution and quick revisit time. In this study, we tested the ability of S2 for forest type mapping in a Mediterranean environment. Three operational S2 images covering different phenological periods (winter, spring, summer) were processed and analyzed. Ten 10 m and 20 m bands available from S2 and four vegetation indices (VIs) were used to evaluate the ability of S2 to discriminate forest categories (conifer, broadleaved and mixed forests) and four forest types (beech forests; mixed spruce-fir forests; chestnut forests; mixed oak forests). We found that a single S2 image acquired in summer cannot discriminate neither the considered forest categories nor the forest types and therefore multitemporal images collected at different phenological periods are required. The best configuration yielded an accuracy > 83% in all considered forest types. We conclude that S2 can represent an effective option for repeated forest monitoring and mapping. © 2018 Centro di Ricerca per la Selvicoltura Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria. All rights reserved.
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2018
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 42 (1) pp. 32 - 38
DOI
Integrated forest management to prevent wildfires under mediterranean environments
Corona , P. , Ascoli , Davide , Barbati , Anna , Bovio , Giovanni , Colangelo , Giuseppe , Elia , Mario , Garfì , Vittorio , Iovino , Francesco , Lafortezza , Raffaele , Leone , Vittorio , Lovreglio , Raffella , Marchetti , Marco , Marchi , Enrico , Menguzzato , Giuliano , Nocentini , Susanna , Picchio , Rodolfo , Portoghesi , Luigi , Puletti , Nicola , Sanesi , Giovanni , Chianucci , Francesco
forest fuel management prescribed burning wildfuire prevention wildland-urban interface
Mostra abstract
This review presents a multidisciplinary framework for integrating the ecological, regulatory, procedural and technical aspects of forest management for fires prevention under Mediterranean environments. The aims are to: i) provide a foreground of wildfire scenario; ii) illustrate the theoretical background of forest fuel management; iii) describe the available fuel management techniques and mechanical operations for fire prevention in forest and wildland-urban interfaces, with exemplification of case-studies; iv) allocate fire prevention activities under the hierarchy of forest planning. The review is conceived as an outline commentary discussion targeted to professionals, technicians and government personnel involved in forestry and environmental management.
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2015
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 39 (1) pp. 1 - 22
DOI
Estimation of leaf area index in isolated trees with digital photography and its application to urban forestry
Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Giacomello , Elena , Cutini , Andrea , Corona , P.
leaf area index image analysis urban greening urban tree vegetation index
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of leaf area index (L) are strongly required for modelling ecophysiological processes within urban forests. The majority of methods available for estimating L is ideally applicable at stand scale and is therefore poorly suitable in urban settings, where trees are typically sparse and isolated. In addition, accurate measurements in urban settings are hindered by proximity of trees to infrastructure elements, which can strongly affect the accuracy of tree canopy analysis.In this study we tested whether digital photography can be used to obtain indirect estimate of L of isolated trees. The sampled species were Platanus orientalis, Liquidambar styraciflua and Juglans regia. Upward-facing photography was used to estimate gap fraction and foliage clumping from images collected in unobstructed (open areas) and obstructed (nearby buildings) settings; two image classification methods provided accurate estimates of gap fraction, based on comparison with measurements obtained from a high quality quantum sensor (LAI-2000). Leveled photography was used to characterize the leaf angle distribution of the examined tree species. L estimates obtained combining the two photographic methods agreed well with direct L measurements obtained from harvesting. We conclude that digital photography is suitable for estimating leaf area in isolated urban trees, due to its simple, fast and cost-effective procedures. Use of vegetation indices allows extending significantly the applicability of the photographic method in urban settings, including green roofs and vertical greenery systems. © 2015 Elsevier GmbH.
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2015
Rivista
Urban Forestry and Urban Greening
Dettagli
Vol. 14 (2) pp. 377 - 382
DOI
Estimation of leaf area index in understory deciduous trees using digital photography
Chianucci , Francesco , Cutini , Andrea , Corona , P. , Puletti , Nicola
foliage cover digital nadir photography foliage projection coefficient leaf angle distribution leveled camera
Mostra abstract
Fast and accurate estimates of understory leaf area are essential to a wide range of ecological applications. Indirect methods have mainly been used to estimate leaf area of overstory but their application in understory remains largely unexplored. In this study we described a combination of digital photographic methods to obtain rapid, reliable and non-destructive estimate of leaf area index of understory deciduous trees. Nadir photography was used to estimate foliage cover, vertical gap fraction and foliage clumping index. Leveled photography was used to characterize the leaf angle distribution of the examined tree species. Leaf area index estimates obtained combining the two photographic methods were compared with direct measurements obtained from harvesting (. L).We applied these methods in Quercus cerris, Carpinus betulus and Fagus sylvatica stands. Foliage cover estimates derived from two nadir image classification methods were significantly correlated with leaf area index measurements obtained from harvesting. The leveled digital photographic method, previously tested in tall trees and field crops, provided reliable leaf angle measurements in understory tree species. Digital photography provided good indirect estimates of L. We conclude that digital photography is suitable for routine estimate and monitoring of understory leaf area, on account of its fast and cost-effective procedure. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.
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2014
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 198 pp. 259 - 264
DOI
Is randomized branch sampling suitable to assess wood volume of temperate broadleaved old-growth forests?
Chirici , Gherardo , Puletti , Nicola , Salvati , Riccardo , Arbi , Francesco , Zolli , Catherine , Corona , P.
precision horvitz-thompson estimation old-growth randomized branch sampling simulation tree climbing
Mostra abstract
Old-growth forests are characterized by the presence of large and very large trees. The estimation of their wood volume and biomass is essential in order to monitor the ecological processes in these stands and their contribution to carbon cycle. However, conventional wood volume estimation techniques based on mensuration of stem diameter at breast height and tree height is most often unfeasible for large and very large trees in old-growth forests because volume models or tables are usually elaborated from trees of smaller size grown up in regularly managed forest stands. Random Branch Sampling (RBS) is often proposed as a possible estimation alternative under such conditions. Starting from the ground level some of the parts of the main trunk and of the branches are sampled and measured to estimate the overall wood volume (or other biophysical variables). The application of RBS in old-growth forests, where tree cutting is usually forbidden or very difficult, requires that the crown of the tree can physically be reached to measure the sampled parts. We argue that under such conditions it is usually preferable to fully measure all the components of the tree crown because RBS estimates are not precise if based on only one sampling path and that, on the other hand, measuring the main trunk and all the branches by tree-climbing consumes the same time as replicating several RBS paths on the same tree. To demonstrate our hypothesis we selected 16 large beech trees located in the old-growth forest of Mount Cimini in Central Italy. Using a modern tree-climbing approach the main trunk and all the branches were measured and recorded in the field. The database was used to simulate RBS paths. Real values from volume census were contrasted with estimates based on RBS. On the whole, RBS estimates based on one single path prove to be highly imprecise. Even for trees characterized by a rather regular form, at least three RBS paths should be repeated on the same tree to maintain the relative standard error under or near 15%. This paper introduces the problem and describes the experimental test. The results are discussed under the perspective of standardized application of the proposed methodology. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
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2014
Rivista
Forest Ecology and Management
Dettagli
Vol. 312 pp. 225 - 230
DOI
Photographic assessment of overstory and understory leaf area index in beech forests under different management regimes in Central Italy: Short communication
Chianucci , Francesco , Puletti , Nicola , Venturi , Ernesto , Cutini , Andrea , Chiavetta , U.
fagus sylvatica cover photography forest understory plant area index thinning
Mostra abstract
Forest understory may be strongly affected by silvicultural practices such as thinning, which simultaneously modulates the overstory canopy cover and influences the availability of light. However, the understory layer is rarely considered in management decisions, partly because methods to estimate understory leaf area index are poorly developed. In this study we used two different restricted view angle photographic methods to estimate overstory plant area index L<inf>O</inf> (zenith cover photography), understory leaf area index L<inf>U</inf> (nadir cover photography) and their related canopy attributes (foliage clumping, foliage cover, crown cover, crown porosity). These measurements were performed in beech stands under different management regime. Results from photography indicated that not only overstory but also understory canopy attributes were significantly influenced by forest management. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between L<inf>O</inf> and L<inf>U</inf>. We conclude that the photographic methods are effective for monitoring (overstory and understory) canopy status in managed stands, on account of their rapid and not destructive procedures, which allows large scale implementation of the methods. © 2014 Estonian University of Life Sciences. All rights reserved.
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2014
Rivista
Forestry Studies
Dettagli
Vol. 61 pp. 27 - 34
DOI
Mapped tree dataset of public green areas in the Municipality of Arezzo, Tuscany (Italy)
Chianucci , Francesco , Sansone , Dalila , Lazzerini , Giada , Tiberi , Gioele , Cristina Monteverdi , Maria , Chiavetta , U.
arezzo public green areas tree dataset urban tree inventory
Mostra abstract
The dataset reports data from more than 9,000 trees, which were sampled in 2024-2025 to create a first urban tree inventory of public green areas in the Municipality of Arezzo. For each tree, spatial position, species, diameter were sampled in different public green space types. Data are available as table and spatial vector layer. Data can support urban planners and managers for assessing the state-of-the-art of urban greening, supporting tree management practices and monitoring, feeding urban tree models and calibrating remotely-sensed information. Non-spatial and spatial metrics can be derived to assess the diversity of urban tree spaces to implement sustainable urban greening practices. © 2025 Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura. All rights reserved.
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2025
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 50 (2) pp. 46 - 51
DOI
Regions of provenance for reproductive materials of the three main forest species of Abruzzi
Marchi , Maurizio , Chiavetta , U. , Castaldi , Cristiano , Di Silvestro , Daniela , Contu , Francesco , Ducci , Fulvio
mediterranean area abruzzi forest reproductive materials regions of provenance
Mostra abstract
Regions of provenance of reproductive materials are a mandatory tool for the management of forest genetic resources in Europe. Italian regulation (D. Lgs. 386/2003), in contrast with other European countries, gives this role to regional administrations. Here we present a map of the Regions of Provenance for Abruzzi in central Italy. Three environmental zones were identified according to climatic variability using a spatial clustering procedure and the three main forest species for the region were mapped: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), European black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold) and Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.). The results show that the main driving factors for clustering are temperature regimes reflecting the contrast between the continental climate of the interior of the region versus the Mediterranean climate on the coast. This effect was also evident in the delineation of the Regions of Provenance for the three main species where elevation plays a key role in the selection of seed stands. The Regions of Provenance of the three species will be used for the correct management of forest reproductive materials collected from the six seed stands of the Region. © 2016 Ugo Chiavetta.
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2016
Rivista
Journal of Maps
Dettagli
Vol. 12 pp. 94 - 97
DOI
Trends of ungulate species in Europe: not all stories are equal
Cerri , Jacopo , Chirichella , Roberta , Arnold , Walter , Bartoš , Luděk , Borowik , Tomasz , Carranza , Juan , Chianucci , Francesco , Csányi , Sándor , Ericsson , Göran , Heurich , Marco , Kojola , Ilpo , Mysterud , Atle , Pokorny , Boštjan , Schmidt , Krzysztof , Šprem , Nikica , Vicente , Joaquín , Alagić , Ajša , Balčiauskas , Linas , Casaer , Jim , Cellina , Sandra , Done , Gundega , Find’o , Slavomír , Fonseca , Carlos M.M.S. , Gačić , Dragan P. , Melovski , Dime , Ozoliņš , Jânis , Papaioannou , Haritakis I. , Pusenius , Jyrki , Randveer , Tiit , Ruusila , Vesa , Saint-Andrieux , Christine , Veeroja , Rauno , Apollonio , Marco
hunting bags reforestation rural abandonment time-series analysis wild ungulates wildlife management
Mostra abstract
Wild ungulates have deep impacts on socio-ecological systems, and analyzing large-scale population trends in a multispecies set can identify their environmental and socio-economic drivers. We collected annual hunting bags (n = 11,046, period 1975–2018) of European roe deer, red deer, wild boar, fallow deer, mouflon, northern chamois and moose, across Europe. We identified different temporal trends in their hunting bags and evaluated the social and environmental drivers of their relative abundances. The number of harvested red deer and fallow deer, increased steadily across Europe, with minor differences among countries, despite variations in land use and climate. On the contrary, European roe deer harvests have decreased in six European countries since the late 1990s, probably due to landscape changes and locally also due to predation, interspecific competition, and/or increasing temperatures. Northern chamois harvests in Austria and Switzerland have decreased markedly, probably due to increasing temperatures, which decrease the survival of kids at high altitudes. Wild boar harvests have decreased in Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since the African Swine Fever outbreak in 2013–2014. Minor differences emerged between countries adopting different management regimes for wild ungulates. While many studies pointed out landscape changes as the cornerstone for the increase in wild ungulates across Europe, our research emphasizes important species-specific differences. There is a need to predict how landscape dynamics, climate change and recovering large carnivores will affect populations of species already showing signs of decline, like the European roe deer or the northern chamois. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences 2026.
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2026
Rivista
Mammal Research
Dettagli
Vol. 71 (2)
DOI
Testing Removal of Carbon Dioxide, Ozone, and Atmospheric Particles by Urban Parks in Italy
Fares , Silvano , Conte , Adriano , Alivernini , Alessandro , Chianucci , Francesco , Grotti , Mirko , Zappitelli , Ilaria , Petrella , Fabio , Corona , P.
italy forestry carbon dioxide carbon dioxide process ecosystems gas emissions greenhouse gases ozone particles (particulate matter) atmospheric concentration atmospheric particles ecosystem services in-situ measurement multilayer canopy model particulate matter tree characteristics tropospheric ozone air pollution aerosol greenspace pollutant removal testing method urban area air quality article canopy dry deposition particulate matter 10 recreational park tree air pollutant city ecosystem air pollutants cities parks recreational trees
Mostra abstract
Cities are responsible for more than 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Sequestration of air pollutants is one of the main ecosystem services that urban forests provide to the citizens. The atmospheric concentration of several pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), tropospheric ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) can be reduced by urban trees through processes of adsorption and deposition. We predict the quantity of CO2, O3, and PM removed by urban tree species with the multilayer canopy model AIRTREE in two representative urban parks in Italy: Park of Castel di Guido, a 3673 ha reforested area located northwest of Rome, and Park of Valentino, a 42 ha urban park in downtown Turin. We estimated a total annual removal of 1005 and 500 kg of carbon per hectare, 8.1 and 1.42 kg of ozone per hectare, and 8.4 and 8 kg of PM10 per hectare. We highlighted differences in pollutant sequestration between urban areas and between species, shedding light on the importance to perform extensive in situ measurements and modeling analysis of tree characteristics to provide realistic estimates of urban parks to deliver ecosystem services. ©
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2020
Rivista
Environmental Science and Technology
Dettagli
Vol. 54 (23) pp. 14910 - 14922
DOI
Epiphytic lichen diversity and sustainable forest management criteria and indicators: A multivariate and modelling approach in coppice forests of Italy
Brunialti , Giorgio , Frati , Luisa , Calderisi , Marco , Giorgolo , Francesca , Bagella , Simonetta , Bertini , Giada , Chianucci , Francesco , Fratini , Roberto , Gottardini , Elena , Cutini , Andrea
biodiversity european forest types lichen diversity value (ldv) predictive models
Mostra abstract
Epiphytic lichens represent one of the most suitable indicators of forest continuity and management, especially in the context of ancient and old-growth forests. Nevertheless, they have not yet been included among Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) indicators to which Pan-European forest policy and governance refer. In addition, currently adopted SFM indicators are mainly designed for high forests rather than coppice forests, despite the fact that today this management system covers more than 10% of the total European forests. In this study we investigated these two issues by examining epiphytic lichen diversity in three coppice forest stands, located in the two Italian regions of Tuscany and Sardinia. In particular, we addressed: i) the role of lichen diversity as SFM indicator and ii) its relationship with consolidated and new SFM indicators dealing with structural, health, biodiversity, protective and socioeconomic functions. Multivariate Factor Analysis and Generalised Linear Models were adopted for data analysis. We found that lichen diversity and the frequency of single sensitive species were mainly related to the biodiversity of plants and fungi (Criterion 4), the health and vitality of the forests (Criterion 2) and their protective functions (Criterion 5). Furthermore, our results show that the lichen species highlighted by the models may represent suitable indicators in long-term studies, especially in relation to complex and interconnected aspects of sustainable forest management. Although our findings represent a first contribute to this issue, more in-depth researches will be needed to clarify further aspects of the complex interactions among SFM indicators in the context of coppice forests. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
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2020
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 115
DOI
An overview of in situ digital canopy photography in forestry
Chianucci , Francesco
canopy cover leaf area index canopy photography canopy openness hemispherical sensors restricted view angle sensors
Mostra abstract
Since the 1960s, canopy photography has been widely used in forestry. Hemispherical photography has been the most widely used technique, but a great drawback of this method is its perceived sensitivity to hemispherical image acquisition and processing. Over the last decade, several alternative photographic approaches using restricted view angle have been proposed. Cover photography acquired via a normal lens was the first of the recently introduced photographic techniques. Use of a restricted view (often fixed) lens has subsequently contributed to the extension of canopy photography to new sensors and platforms, which ultimately have provided answers to some previous challenges regarding within-crown clumping correction, isolated and urban tree measurements, understory assessment, operational leaf inclination angle measurements, and phenological monitoring. This study provides a comprehensive review of the use of canopy photography in forestry and describes the theory and definitions of the variables used to quantify canopy structure. A case study is presented to illustrate and compare the different features and performance of the existing overstory photographic techniques; the results make it possible to suggest sampling strategies for consistent overstory canopy photographic measurements. Emerging operational fields of canopy photography are also described and discussed. © 2020, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.
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2020
Rivista
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
Dettagli
Vol. 50 (3) pp. 227 - 242
DOI
Continental Contrasts in Climate Extremes That Control Tree Fecundity
Clark , James S. , Andrus , Robert A. , Arianoutsou , Margarita , Ascoli , Davide , Bergeron , Yves , Bogdziewicz , Michał , Boivin , Thomas , Bonal , Raúl , Caignard , Thomas , Cailleret , Maxime , Calama , Rafael A. , Camarero , Jesús Julio , Chianucci , Francesco , Cienciala , Emil , Courbaud , Benoít , Delzon , Sylvain , Dietze , Michael C. , Espelta , Josep Maria , Fady , Bruno , Fyllas , Nikolaos M. , Gilbert , Gregory S. , Gratzer , Georg , Guignabert , Arthur , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J. , Hampe , Arndt , Hanley , Mick E. , Hille Ris Lambers , Janneke , Holik , Jan , Hoshizaki , K. , Hu , Miao , Ibáñez , Inés , Işık , Fatih , Jenkins , Lauren , Johnstone , Jill F. , Journé , Valentin , Kadioglu , Alper Kaan , Kızılaslan , İrem Sena , Knops , Johannes Michael Hubertus , Kobe , Richard K. , Köse , Nesibe , Külah , Eylül U. , Kunstler , Georges , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Ledwoń , Mateusz , Lehtonen , Aleksi , Loewe-Muñoz , Verónica F. , Lutz , James A. , Mårell , Anders , Meyer , Kira , Moran , Emily V. , Motta , Renzo , Myers , Jonathan A. , Nagel , Thomas A. , Pérez-Ramos , Ignacio M. , Piechnik , Łukasz , Podgórski , Tomasz , Poulton-Kamakura , Renata , Qiu , Tong , Redmond , Miranda D. , Reid , Chantal D. , Rodman , Kyle C. , Rodríguez-Sánchez , Francisco , Šamonil , Pavel , Šebeň , Vladimír , Seget , Barbara , Sharma , Shubhi , Socha , Jarosław Ł. , Steele , Michael A. , Straub , Jacob N. , Sutton , Samantha , Thomas , Peter A. , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Venner , Marie Claude , Venner , Samuel , Zavala , Miguel A. , Zheng , Shiqi , Żywiec , Magdalena
drought climate extremes forest recovery late freeze
Mostra abstract
In 2023, more than half of olive harvests (Olea europaea) across Spain, Greece, and Türkiye were lost to drought. The same year late freeze destroyed 90% of the peach crop (Prunus persica) on the Georgia Piedmont and the apple crop (Malus domestica) in central New York, Vermont, and southern Quebec. Climate extremes now rank with the costliest threats to agriculture, but their role in forest recovery from diebacks that are happening globally is unknown for lack of tree fecundity estimates in forests. Tolerance of climate extremes could depend on past exposure but constrained by phylogenetic conservatism. We report a continental scale analysis of climate extremes and forest fecundity across North America and Europe showing that responses to late freeze and drought are happening now. Species differences are not explained by the traits typically included in ecological studies and they are weakly associated with phylogeny. Late freeze, that is, freezing temperatures that follow the onset of flower development in spring, is shown to be “normal” in North America, but not Europe, potentially explaining failed seed production due to delayed onset and the resultant shorter growing period by North American transplants dating back at least to the 18th century. Drought has thus far had the greatest impacts in dry forested regions, but here too, species differences are not explained by traditional trait values. If responses have been buffered from drought and late freeze by past exposure, acclimation and local adaptation prove inadequate as extremes intensify. © 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2026
Rivista
Global Change Biology
Dettagli
Vol. 32 (2)
DOI
Drivers of vascular species diversity on floodplain poplar stands: An integrated approach for ecological and functional assessment
Corli , Anna , Vannucchi , Francesca , Traversari , Silvia , Orsenigo , Simone , Giovannelli , Alessio , Chiarabaglio , Pier Mario , Chianucci , Francesco , Calfapietra , Carlo , Scartazza , Andrea , Mascherpa , Marco Carlo , Traversi , Maria Laura , Cristaldi , Luca , Trentanovi , Giovanni
soil properties stand structure management populus spp. soil enzymatic activities vascular plants diversity
Mostra abstract
Biodiversity restoration is pivotal to enhance natural ecological processes in riparian ecosystems, affected by intensive human impact. Improving the riparian area functionality through new plantations is an effective Nature-based Solution. Poplar plantations have great potential for preventing soil erosion and providing habitats, but their impact on biodiversity has been little studied. Aims of this study were to: (1) investigate the effect of different poplar woodland management on vascular species diversity; (2) define the main drivers of vascular plant species richness, community composition, invasiveness and functional strategies. In three sites (Po river, Italy), an integrated survey protocol was applied to assess vascular species diversity, stand structure and soil properties. For each site, three stands with different management (cultivated, semi-natural and natural) were surveyed. Differences among all stand structural parameters and the management types were found. Tree diameter did not change between natural and seminatural stands but mean quadratic diameter of seminatural stands (28.1 cm) was similar to cultivated ones (26.8 cm). While cultivated stands showed the highest species richness (mean 28 species), semi-natural stands showed the highest number of native species (82 %) and an efficient soil N cycle (microbial N limitation, MNL < 0). The total Ca and MNL in soil resulted the main drivers of species diversity in the studied poplar stands. Semi-natural stands highlighted the best trade-off amongst vascular plant species diversity, invasiveness and soil process. The used integrated approach was effective and extendable to ecological and functional assessment of poplar riparian forests under different management gradients. © 2025 The Authors
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2025
Rivista
Forest Ecology and Management
Dettagli
Vol. 595
DOI
Linking Acoustic Indices to Vegetation and Microclimate in a Historical Urban Garden: Setting the Stage for a Restorative Soundscape
Portaccio , Alessia , Chianucci , Francesco , Pirotti , Francesco , Piragnolo , Marco , Sozzi , Marco , Zangrossi , Andrea , Celli , Miriam , Mazzella Di Bosco , Marta , Bolognesi , Monica , Sella , Enrico , Corbetta , Maurizio , Pazzaglia , Francesca , Cavalli , R.
acoustic indices human well-being seasonal variation soundscapes urban garden vegetational metrics
Mostra abstract
Urban soundscapes are increasingly recognized as fundamental for both ecological integrity and human well-being, yet the complex interplay between the vegetation structure, seasonal dynamics, and microclimatic factors in shaping these soundscapes remains poorly understood. This study tests the hypothesis that vegetation structure and seasonally driven biological activity mediate the balance and the quality of the urban acoustic environment. We investigated seasonal and spatial variations in five acoustic indices (NDSI, ACI, AEI, ADI, and BI) within a historical urban garden in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy. Using linear mixed-effects models, we analyzed the effects of season, microclimatic variables, and vegetation characteristics on soundscape composition. Non-parametric tests were used to assess spatial differences in vegetation metrics. Results revealed strong seasonal patterns, with spring showing increased NDSI (+0.17), ADI (+0.22), and BI (+1.15) values relative to winter, likely reflecting bird breeding phenology and enhanced biological productivity. Among microclimatic predictors, temperature (p < 0.001), humidity (p = 0.014), and solar radiation (p = 0.002) showed significant relationships with acoustic indices, confirming their influence on both animal behaviour and sound propagation. Spatial analyses showed significant differences in acoustic patterns across points (Kruskal–Wallis p < 0.01), with vegetation metrics such as tree density and evergreen proportion correlating with elevated biophonic activity. Although the canopy height model did not emerge as a significant predictor in the models, the observed spatial heterogeneity supports the role of vegetation in shaping urban sound environments. By integrating ecoacoustic indices, LiDAR-derived vegetation data, and microclimatic parameters, this study offers novel insights into how vegetational components should be considered to manage urban green areas to support biodiversity and foster acoustically restorative environments, advancing the evidence base for sound-informed urban planning. © 2025 by the authors.
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2025
Rivista
Land
Dettagli
Vol. 14 (10)
DOI
Sustainable forest planning: Assessing biodiversity effects of Triad zoning based on empirical data and virtual landscapes
Duflot , Rémi , Heinrichs , Steffi , Balducci , Lorenzo , Chianucci , Francesco , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Paillet , Yoan , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Archaux , Frédéric , Boch , Steffen , Bouget , Christophe , Dvořák , Daniel , Fischer , Markus , Gosselin , Frédéric , Gosselin , Marion , Goßner , Martin M. , Holá , Eva , Hošek , Jan , Jung , Kirsten G. , Palice , Zdeněk , Renner , Swen C. , Weisser , Wolfgang W. , Nagel , Thomas A. , Burrascano , Sabina , Schall , Peter
forest management forestry biodiversity conservation gamma diversity landscape planning
Mostra abstract
The Triad framework seeks to balance the economic and ecological functions in forested landscapes by combining intensively, extensively, and unmanaged areas, assuming a higher support to biodiversity in extensively rather than in intensively managed forests. We quantified the effects of Triad zoning on biodiversity in (sub)montane eutrophic European beech forests. Using a European-wide multitaxon database and a “virtual” landscape approach (i.e., by resampling empirical data), we evaluated how the proportion of Triad management categories affected the landscape-level species diversity of birds, saproxylic beetles, vascular plants, epiphytic bryophytes, lichens, and wood-inhabiting fungi, as well as multitaxonomic diversity. The results varied greatly among taxonomic groups. Multitaxonomic diversity peaked in landscapes composed of 60% unmanaged and 40% intensively managed forests. While intensive management can benefit some taxa through the creation of open habitats, unmanaged forests are the backbone of biodiversity conservation, underlining the need to safeguard the remaining old-growth forests under natural dynamics, and to extend the current area of unmanaged forests in Europe. Extensive forest management, however, did not contribute to biodiversity conservation as expected. As withdrawing such a high proportion of European forest landscapes from management is unfeasible given the increasing demand for timber, efforts are needed to increase the presence of structural features supporting biodiversity into extensively managed forests. © © 2025 the Author(s).
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2025
Rivista
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Dettagli
Vol. 122 (39)
DOI
Behaviour of Brown Bears Under Fluctuating Resource Availability
Tattoni , Clara , Corradini , Andrea , Chianucci , Francesco , Ciolli , Marco , Giusti , Roberta , Bragalanti , Natalia , Cagnacci , Francesca , Martinoli , Adriano , Preatoni , Damiano G. , Bisi , Francesco
alps beech mast damage home range maxent modelling ursus arctos
Mostra abstract
Mast seeding, the variable and intermittent production of seeds, has cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. This study explores its influence on the brown bear populations in the Italian Alps, focusing on beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica L.), the primary food source for bears in the region. Using historical data and field sampling, we estimated and mapped the annual seed biomass from 2007 to 2021 for the province of Trento. The energy content of beechnuts was assessed through high heating values, providing the caloric resources available. Data on beechnuts production, records of damages and GPS data from 16 Eurasian brown bears were integrated to perform a temporal and spatial analysis at home range and at landscape level. Standardised damages to beehives and livestock decreased during mast years, suggesting that bears met their trophic needs through natural food sources. In fact, bears used more agricultural areas and less beech forest during years of beech crop failure. At landscape level, agriculture and pasture areas close to beech forests and distant from cities showed a higher risk of damage, providing a tool to anticipate management actions. This work provides insights on the ecological dynamics and conservation implications of brown bears in the study area by mapping the spatial and temporal aspects of mast seeding and bear-related damages. © 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by British Ecological Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2025
Rivista
Ecology and Evolution
Dettagli
Vol. 15 (7)
DOI
Managed forests are a stronghold of non-native beetles in Europe
Basile , Marco , Lachat , Thibault , Balducci , Lorenzo , Chianucci , Francesco , Chojnacki , Lucas , Archaux , Frédéric , N Avtzis , Dimitrios N. , Bouget , Christophe , de Smedt , Pallieter , Doerfler , Inken , Dumas , Yann , Elek , Zoltán , Gosselin , Marion , Goßner , Martin M. , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Janssen , Philippe , Justesen , Mathias Just , Hansen , Aslak Kappel , Schmidt , Inger Kappel , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Mårell , Anders , Matula , Radim , Müller , Jörg C. C. , Nordén , Björn , Ódor , Péter , Paillet , Yoan , Ravera , Sonia , Sitzia , Tommaso , Tinya , Flóra , Burrascano , Sabina , Brockerhoff , Eckehard G.
biodiversity biological invasions biotic resistance coleoptera unmanaged forests vascular plants
Mostra abstract
The species richness of vascular plants in forests can have contrasting effects on the occurrence of non-native insects. The establishment of non-native insect populations may be facilitated by low plant species richness, which reflects the availability of few but easily accessible resources, or hampered by high plant species richness due to spatial dilution of resources or biotic resistance (i.e., resistance against biological invasions). The relationship between the species richness of plants and non-native insects is likely influenced by disturbance regimes, which, in European forests, mostly consists of timber harvesting. We investigated this relationship considering two major forest attributes: (i) species richness of non-native vascular plants and (ii) forest management. From 1101 forest plots in Europe, we gathered occurrences of 1212 vascular plant species, including 160 non-native species, and of 2404 beetle species, including 29 non-native species. We tested the relationship between the species richness of non-native beetles and plants using non-linear quantile regressions. We disentangled the effect of non-native plant species richness from that of management on the species richness of non-native beetles, while accounting for forest structural variables, using structural equation models. We found clear evidence of a hump-shaped relationship between non-native beetle and plant species richness. The general shape of the relationship persisted when considering only woody or non-woody plants, as well as only non-native plants. The relationship was also similar between managed and unmanaged forests. However, the proportion of non-native beetles in managed forests was higher than in unmanaged forests at the same plant species richness. Management had a direct negative effect on non-native beetle species richness, whereas non-native plant species richness had a direct positive effect. When considering all direct and indirect effects, management facilitated the occurrence of non-native beetles indirectly via non-native plants rather than directly. Synthesis and applications. Species richness of native and non-native vascular plants modulates the species richness of non-native beetles through relationships with opposite signs. The interplay with management regimes and forest structures determines whether non-native beetles are promoted. Forest management aimed at reducing the intensity of disturbance while encouraging native plant species richness could promote the dominance of dilution effects and biotic resistance and could moderate the establishment of non-native insects. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Ecology © 2025 British Ecological Society.
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2025
Rivista
Journal of Applied Ecology
Dettagli
Vol. 62 (5) pp. 1243 - 1257
DOI
Towards an effective in-situ biodiversity assessment in European forests
Burrascano , Sabina , Chojnacki , Lucas , Balducci , Lorenzo , Chianucci , Francesco , Haeler , Elena , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Paillet , Yoan , de Andrade , Rafael Barreto , Boch , Steffen , de Smedt , Pallieter , Fischer , Markus , Mijangos , Itziar Garcia , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Kozák , Daniel , Kutszegi , Gergely , Lachat , Thibault , Mikoláš , Martin , Samu , Ferenc , Ravera , Sonia , Schall , Peter , Sitzia , Tommaso , Svoboda , Miroslav , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Ujházyová , Mariana , Vandekerkhove , Kris , Tinya , Flóra , Ódor , Péter
forest biodiversity vascular plants birds epiphytic bryophytes epiphytic lichens monitoring network multivariate standard error rarefaction curves saproxylic beetles wood-inhabiting fungi
Mostra abstract
Assessing multi-taxon biodiversity is crucial to understand forests’ response to environmental changes and to inform management strategies. In Europe, forest biodiversity monitoring is still scattered and heterogeneous, although a long-term monitoring network has long been advocated. Given the monitoring aims reported in various EU policies, this network should be accurately designed also through the estimation of its sampling effort, here intended as the number of sampling plots and sites. We used a novel database of forest multi-taxon biodiversity for a pilot study to: estimate the minimum sampling effort needed to: assess variation in species richness and composition; compare these estimates with the efforts invested in the pilot database; discuss estimates’ differences across taxonomic groups and forest categories. We focused on six taxonomic groups (vascular plants, birds, epiphytic lichens and bryophytes, wood-inhabiting fungi and saproxylic beetles) across six forest categories. Based on 6,165 plots at 2,084 different locations across Europe, we benchmarked the effort to achieve: a complete species richness estimate through interpolation/extrapolation curves, and a precise evaluation of species composition variation through multivariate standard error. Our estimates differed widely, especially among taxonomic groups. For species richness, estimates range from 3 to 147 plots per site across 3 to 29 sites per forest category, with birds and epiphytic bryophytes requiring the least effort. For species composition, estimates range from 5 to over 25 plots per site across 5 to 20 sites per forest category, with saproxylic beetles, vascular plants, and fungi displaying the highest estimates. The taxonomic groups requiring an effort comparable to existing data were the least diverse, all the others need greater efforts, either for species richness (e.g., saproxylic beetles), or species composition (e.g., vascular plants), or both (e.g., wood-inhabiting fungi). An effective monitoring network of European forests’ biodiversity should thoroughly account for these benchmarks and for their taxon-dependency. © 2025
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2025
Rivista
Basic and Applied Ecology
Dettagli
Vol. 84 pp. 121 - 132
DOI
Reliability of canopy photography for forest ecology and biodiversity studies
von Meijenfeldt , Anouk , Chianucci , Francesco , Rigo , Francesca , Ottenburghs , Jente , Hilpold , Andreas , Mina , Marco
leaf area index canopy photography canopy structure hemispherical photography mountain forests understory vegetation
Mostra abstract
Understory is a key component of forest biodiversity. The structure of the forest stand and the horizontal composition of the canopy play a major role on the light regime of the understory, which in turn affects the abundance and the diversity of the understory plant community. Reliable assessments of canopy structural attributes are essential for forest research and biodiversity monitoring programs, as well as to study the relationship between canopy and understory plant communities. Canopy photography is a widely used method but it is still not clear which photographic techniques is better suited to capture canopy attributes at stand-level that can be relevant in forest biodiversity studies. For this purpose, we collected canopy structure and understory plant diversity data on 51 forest sites in the north-eastern Italian Alps, encompassing a diversity of forest types from low-elevation deciduous, to mixed montane stands to subalpine coniferous forests. Canopy images were acquired using both digital cover (DCP) and hemispherical (DHP) photography, and analysed canopy structural attributes. These attributes were then compared to tree species composition data to evaluate whether they were appropriate to differentiate between forest types. Additionally, we tested what canopy attributes derived from DCP and DHP best explained the species composition of vascular plants growing in the understory. We found that hemispherical canopy photography was most suitable to capture differences in forest types, which was best expressed by variables such as leaf inclination angle and canopy openness. On our sites, DHP-based canopy attributes were also able to better distinguish between different conifer forests. Leaf clumping was the most important attribute for determining plant species distribution of the understory, indicating that diverse gap structures create different microclimate conditions enhancing diverse plant species with different ecological strategies. This study supports the reliability of canopy photography to derive meaningful indicators in forest and biodiversity research, but also provide insights for increasing understory diversity in managed forests of high conservation value. © 2025
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2025
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 172
DOI
Monitoring hybrid poplar plantations using continuous canopy photography: influence of clone and water status
Chianucci , Francesco , Bergante , Sara , Chiarabaglio , Pier Mario , Bascietto , Marco
precision forestry proximal sensing trail camera tree phenology
Mostra abstract
Hybrid poplar plantations are essential for bioenergy, pulp and paper industries, and contribute to carbon sequestration and environmental restoration. Effective plantation management, including monitoring of canopy structure, is crucial to maximize productivity, but traditional inventory methods often lack the spatial and temporal resolution needed for precision forestry application. In this study, we evaluated use of continuous canopy photography for continuous monitoring of poplar plantations. Daily canopy attributes like foliage cover and leaf area index were derived from time-lapse trail cameras. Three poplar clones (Soligo, I-214, and Neva), having differing growth rates and drought tolerances, were tested under different water (irrigated vs non-irrigated) regimes. We demonstrated that continuous canopy attributes allow to quantify significant variations in canopy cover, associated with both clone type and water status. Non-irrigated trials exhibited early senescence and canopy decline, while irrigated clones showed more robust canopy development. We concluded that continuous cameras offer a low-cost, effective solution for improving hybrid poplar plantation management by timely tracking the ability to respond to varying environmental conditions and optimizing resource use. © 2025 Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura. All rights reserved.
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2025
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 50 (2) pp. 52 - 57
DOI
One to rule them all? Assessing the performance of sustainable forest management indicators against multitaxonomic data for biodiversity conservation
Paillet , Yoan , Zapponi , Livia , Schall , Peter , Monnet , Jean Matthieu , Ammer , Christian , Balducci , Lorenzo , Boch , Steffen , Brazaitis , Gediminas , Campanaro , Alessandro , Chianucci , Francesco , Doerfler , Inken , Fischer , Markus , Gosselin , Marion , Goßner , Martin M. , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Jung , Kirsten G. , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Ódor , Péter , Tinya , Flóra , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Vandekerkhove , Kris , Weisser , Wolfgang W. , Wohlwend , Michael Rudolf , Burrascano , Sabina
forest structure sustainable forest management multi-taxa diversity taxonomic indicators
Mostra abstract
Several regional initiatives and reporting efforts assess the state of forest biodiversity through broad-scale indicators based on data from national forest inventories. Although valuable, these indicators are essentially indirect and evaluate habitat quantity and quality rather than biodiversity per se. Therefore, their link to biodiversity may be weak, which decreases their usefulness for decision-making. For several decades, Forest Europe indicators assessed the state of European forests, in particular their biodiversity. However, no extensive study has been conducted to date to assess their performance – i.e. the capacity of the indicators to reflect variations in biodiversity – against multitaxonomic data. We hypothesized that no single biodiversity indicator from Forest Europe can represent overall forest biodiversity, but that several indicators would reflect habitat quality for at least some taxa in a comprehensive way. We tested the set of Forest Europe's indicators against the species richness of six taxonomic and functional groups across several hundreds of sampling units over Europe. We showed that, while some indicators perform relatively well across groups (e.g. deadwood volume), no single indicator represented all biodiversity at once, and that a combination of several indicators performed better. Forest Europe indicators were chosen for their availability and ease of understanding for most people. However, we showed that gaps in the monitoring framework persist, and that surveying certain taxa along with stand structure is necessary to support policymaking and tackle forest biodiversity loss at the large scale. Adding context (e.g. forest type) may also contribute to increase the performance of biodiversity indicators. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
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2024
Rivista
Biological Conservation
Dettagli
Vol. 300
DOI
Silvicultural regime shapes understory functional structure in European forests
Chianucci , Francesco , Napoleone , Francesca , Ricotta , Carlo , Ferrara , Carlotta , Fusaro , Lina , Balducci , Lorenzo , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Bradley , Owen , Kovács , Bence , Mina , Marco , Cerabolini , Bruno Enrico Leone , Vandekerkhove , Kris , de Smedt , Pallieter , Lens , Luc , Hertzog , Lionel R. , Verheyen , Kris , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Matula , Radim , Doerfler , Inken , Müller , Jörg C. C. , Weisser , Wolfgang W. , Helback , Jan , Schall , Peter , Fischer , Markus , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Riis-Hansen , Rasmus , Goldberg , Irina , Aude , Erik , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Kappel Schmidt , Inger , Riis-Nielsen , Torben , Mårell , Anders , Dumas , Yann , Janssen , Philippe , Paillet , Yoan , Archaux , Frédéric , Xystrakis , Fotios , Tinya , Flóra , Ódor , Péter , Aszalós , Réka , Bölöni , János , Cutini , Andrea , Bagella , Simonetta , Sitzia , Tommaso , Brazaitis , Gediminas , Marozas , Vitas , Ujházyová , Mariana , Ujházy , Karol , Máliš , František , Nordén , Björn , Burrascano , Sabina
functional diversity functional redundancy forest understory sustainable forest management unmanaged forests ecosystem resilience silvicultural regime
Mostra abstract
Managing forests to sustain their diversity and functioning is a major challenge in a changing world. Despite the key role of understory vegetation in driving forest biodiversity, regeneration and functioning, few studies address the functional dimensions of understory vegetation response to silvicultural management. We assessed the influence of the silvicultural regimes on the functional diversity and redundancy of European forest understory. We gathered vascular plant abundance data from more than 2000 plots in European forests, each associated with one out of the five most widespread silvicultural regimes. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the effect of different silvicultural regimes on understory functional diversity (Rao's quadratic entropy) and functional redundancy, while accounting for climate and soil conditions, and explored the reciprocal relationship between three diversity components (functional diversity, redundancy and dominance) across silvicultural regimes through a ternary diversity diagram. Intensive silvicultural regimes are associated with a decrease in functional diversity and an increase in functional redundancy, compared with unmanaged conditions. This means that although intensive management may buffer communities' functions against species or functional losses, it also limits the range of understory response to environmental changes. Policy implications. Different silvicultural regimes influence different facets of understory functional features. While unmanaged forests can be used as a reference to design silvicultural practices in compliance with biodiversity conservation targets, different silvicultural options should be balanced at landscape scale to sustain the multiple forest functions that human societies are increasingly demanding. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.
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2024
Rivista
Journal of Applied Ecology
Dettagli
Vol. 61 (10) pp. 2350 - 2364
DOI
The Relationship Between Maturation Size and Maximum Tree Size From Tropical to Boreal Climates
Journé , Valentin , Bogdziewicz , Michał , Courbaud , Benoít , Kunstler , Georges , Qiu , Tong , Aravena Acuña , Marie Claire , Ascoli , Davide , Bergeron , Yves , Berveiller , Daniel , Boivin , Thomas , Bonal , Raúl , Caignard , Thomas , Cailleret , Maxime , Calama , Rafael A. , Camarero , Jesús Julio , Chang-Yang , Chia Hao , Chave , Jérôme , Chianucci , Francesco , Curt , Thomas , Cutini , Andrea , Das , Adrian J. , Daskalakou , Evangelia N. , Davi , Hendrik , Delpierre , Nicolas , Delzon , Sylvain , Dietze , Michael C. , Calderon , Sergio Donoso , Dormont , Laurent , Espelta , Josep Maria , Farfan-Rios , William R. , Fenner , Michael , Franklin , Jerry F. , Gehring , Catherine A. , Gilbert , Gregory S. , Gratzer , Georg , Greenberg , Cathryn H. , Guignabert , Arthur , Guo , Qinfeng , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J. , Hampe , Arndt , Han , Qingmin , Hanley , Mick E. , Hille Ris Lambers , Janneke , Holik , Jan , Hoshizaki , K. , Ibáñez , Inés , Johnstone , Jill F. , Knops , Johannes Michael Hubertus , Kobe , Richard K. , Kurokawa , Hiroko , Lageard , Jonathan G.A. , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Ledwoń , Mateusz , Lefèvre , François , Leininger , Theodor D. , Limousin , Jean Marc , Lutz , James A. , Macias , Diana S. , Mårell , Anders , McIntire , Eliot J.B. , Moran , Emily V. , Motta , Renzo , Myers , Jonathan A. , Nagel , Thomas A. , Naoe , Shoji , Noguchi , Mahoko , Norghauer , Julian M. , Oguro , Michio , Ourcival , Jean Marc , Parmenter , Robert R. , Pearse , Ian S. , Pérez-Ramos , Ignacio M. , Piechnik , Łukasz , Podgórski , Tomasz , Poulsen , John R. , Redmond , Miranda D. , Reid , Chantal D. , Šamonil , Pavel , Scher , C. Lane , Schlesinger , William H. , Seget , Barbara , Sharma , Shubhi , Shibata , Mitsue , Silman , Miles R. , Steele , Michael A. , Stephenson , Nathan L. , Straub , Jacob N. , Sutton , Samantha , Swenson , Jennifer J. , Swift , Margaret , Thomas , Peter A. , Uríarte , María , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Whipple , Amy Vaughn , Whitham , Thomas G. , Wright , Stuart Joseph , Zhu , Kai , Zimmerman , Jess K. , Żywiec , Magdalena , Clark , James S.
seed production allometry life history size tree fecundity tree maturation
Mostra abstract
The fundamental trade-off between current and future reproduction has long been considered to result in a tendency for species that can grow large to begin reproduction at a larger size. Due to the prolonged time required to reach maturity, estimates of tree maturation size remain very rare and we lack a global view on the generality and the shape of this trade-off. Using seed production from five continents, we estimate tree maturation sizes for 486 tree species spanning tropical to boreal climates. Results show that a species' maturation size increases with maximum size, but in a non-proportional way: the largest species begin reproduction at smaller sizes than would be expected if maturation were simply proportional to maximum size. Furthermore, the decrease in relative maturation size is steepest in cold climates. These findings on maturation size drivers are key to accurately represent forests' responses to disturbance and climate change. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2024
Rivista
Ecology Letters
Dettagli
Vol. 27 (9)
DOI
Evolutionary ecology of masting: mechanisms, models, and climate change
Bogdziewicz , Michał , Kelly , Dave J. , Ascoli , Davide , Caignard , Thomas , Chianucci , Francesco , Crone , Elizabeth E. , Fleurot , Emilie , Foest , Jessie J. , Gratzer , Georg , Hagiwara , Tomika , Han , Qingmin , Journé , Valentin , Keurinck , Léa , Kondrat , Katarzyna , McClory , Ryan W. , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Mundo , Ignacio A. , Nussbaumer , Anita , Oberklammer , Iris , Ohno , Misuzu , Pearse , Ian S. , Pesendorfer , Mario B. , Resente , Giulia , Satake , Akiko , Shibata , Mitsue , Snell , Rebecca S. , Szymkowiak , Jakub , Touzot , Laura , Zwolak , Rafał , Żywiec , Magdalena , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J.
climate change economies of scale environmental prediction plant demography plant reproduction
Mostra abstract
Many perennial plants show mast seeding, characterized by synchronous and highly variable reproduction across years. We propose a general model of masting, integrating proximate factors (environmental variation, weather cues, and resource budgets) with ultimate drivers (predator satiation and pollination efficiency). This general model shows how the relationships between masting and weather shape the diverse responses of species to climate warming, ranging from no change to lower interannual variation or reproductive failure. The role of environmental prediction as a masting driver is being reassessed; future studies need to estimate prediction accuracy and the benefits acquired. Since reproduction is central to plant adaptation to climate change, understanding how masting adapts to shifting environmental conditions is now a central question. © 2024 The Authors
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2024
Rivista
Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Dettagli
Vol. 39 (9) pp. 851 - 862
DOI
Widespread breakdown in masting in European beech due to rising summer temperatures
Foest , Jessie J. , Bogdziewicz , Michał , Pesendorfer , Mario B. , Ascoli , Davide , Cutini , Andrea , Nussbaumer , Anita , Verstraeten , Arne , Beudert , Burkhard , Chianucci , Francesco , Mezzavilla , Francesco , Gratzer , Georg , Kunstler , Georges , Meesenburg , H. , Wagner , Markus , Mund , Martina , Cools , Nathalie , Vacek , Stanislav , Schmidt , Wolfgang , Vacek , Zdeněk Ck , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J.
climate change fagus sylvatica seed production fecundity masting reproduction
Mostra abstract
Climate change effects on tree reproduction are poorly understood, even though the resilience of populations relies on sufficient regeneration to balance increasing rates of mortality. Forest-forming tree species often mast, i.e. reproduce through synchronised year-to-year variation in seed production, which improves pollination and reduces seed predation. Recent observations in European beech show, however, that current climate change can dampen interannual variation and synchrony of seed production and that this masting breakdown drastically reduces the viability of seed crops. Importantly, it is unclear under which conditions masting breakdown occurs and how widespread breakdown is in this pan-European species. Here, we analysed 50 long-term datasets of population-level seed production, sampled across the distribution of European beech, and identified increasing summer temperatures as the general driver of masting breakdown. Specifically, increases in site-specific mean maximum temperatures during June and July were observed across most of the species range, while the interannual variability of population-level seed production (CVp) decreased. The declines in CVp were greatest, where temperatures increased most rapidly. Additionally, the occurrence of crop failures and low seed years has decreased during the last four decades, signalling altered starvation effects of masting on seed predators. Notably, CVp did not vary among sites according to site mean summer temperature. Instead, masting breakdown occurs in response to warming local temperatures (i.e. increasing relative temperatures), such that the risk is not restricted to populations growing in warm average conditions. As lowered CVp can reduce viable seed production despite the overall increase in seed count, our results warn that a covert mechanism is underway that may hinder the regeneration potential of European beech under climate change, with great potential to alter forest functioning and community dynamics. © 2024 The Authors. Global Change Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2024
Rivista
Global Change Biology
Dettagli
Vol. 30 (5)
DOI
Relating forest structural characteristics to bat and bird diversity in the Italian Alps
Rigo , Francesca , Paniccia , Chiara , Anderle , Matteo , Chianucci , Francesco , Obojes , Nikolaus , Tappeiner , Ulrike , Hilpold , Andreas , Mina , Marco
forest biodiversity deadwood alps birds chiroptera tree-related microhabitats
Mostra abstract
The global decline of biodiversity has affected European forests, involving many tree species and forest-dwelling threatened animals. An integrated approach linking forest structure and multi-taxon diversity is increasingly needed to maintain the multifunctionality of forest ecosystems. We investigated the relationship between forest structure, deadwood elements, canopy attributes, and tree-related microhabitats on bat and bird communities in the north-eastern Italian Alps. We collected forest attributes, bats, and bird data on 40 forest plots encompassing the diversity of forest types. To assess the different contributions of each forest attribute variables we performed a two-step statistical analysis using generalised and linear models, including bat and bird taxonomical and functional diversity indices as response variables. Our findings reveal that bats and birds respond differently to variation in forest structural characteristics. Specifically, bat species richness was higher in forests with both higher standing tree and lying deadwood volume. The Shannon diversity index for bird community was higher in forests with high volumes of coarse lying deadwood and stumps. Moreover, plots with mature trees, gaps, and heterogeneous diameter distribution fostered the presence of generalist species of bats and birds, while the abundance of tree-related microhabitats was not significant for these two taxa. This study demonstrates that the optimal habitat conditions for bats and birds in Alpine forests are multifaceted. Promoting distinctive elements within forest stands and a complex forest structure through adaptations in forest management interventions would enhance the conservation of multi-taxon forest biodiversity. © 2024 The Authors
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2024
Rivista
Forest Ecology and Management
Dettagli
Vol. 554
DOI
Repeated mapped tree inventory in an oak-hornbeam planted forest in Po Valley (Foresta Carpaneta, Italy)
Minari , Emma , Toni , Ilaria , Nastasio , Paolo , Chianucci , Francesco
lowland artificial forest quercus robur l tree level forest inventory
Mostra abstract
Stand structure and tree spatial patterns are key elements to understand natural dynamics and competition processes in forest ecosystems. We performed repeated, mapped tree inventory measures (x, y, height, diameter, vitality, etc.) to allow analysis of the spatial and temporal structure and diversity in 1 ha oak-hornbeam planted forest with pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), established in 2003 also for the conservation of a variety of oak genotypes. Two inventories were carried out in 2009 and 2019. The use of repeated and mapped tree measures allows to investigate the changes in spatial pattern processes through time in this forest. © 2024 Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura. All rights reserved.
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2024
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 49 (1) pp. 24 - 27
DOI
Influence of Root Reinforcement on Shallow Landslide Distribution: A Case Study in Garfagnana (Northern Tuscany, Italy)
Marzini , Lorenzo , D’Addario , Enrico , Papasidero , Michele Pio , Chianucci , Francesco , Disperati , L.
root cohesion root density root reinforcement shallow landslide slope stability
Mostra abstract
In this work, we evaluated the influence of root structure on shallow landslide distribution. Root density measurements were acquired in the field and the corresponding root cohesion was estimated. Data were acquired from 150 hillslope deposit trenches dug in areas either devoid or affected by shallow landslides within the Garfagnana Valley (northern Tuscany, Italy). Results highlighted a correlation between the root reinforcement and the location of measurement sites. Namely, lower root density was detected within shallow landslides, with respect to neighboring areas. Root area ratio (RAR) data allowed us to estimate root cohesion by the application of the revised version of the Wu and Waldron Model. Then, we propose a new method for the assimilation of the lateral root reinforcement into the infinite slope model and the limit equilibrium approach by introducing the equivalent root cohesion parameter. The results fall within the range of root cohesion values adopted in most of the physically based shallow landslide susceptibility models known in the literature (mean values ranging between ca. 2 and 3 kPa). Moreover, the results are in line with the scientific literature that has demonstrated the link between root mechanical properties, spatial variability of root reinforcement, and shallow landslide locations. © 2023 by the authors.
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2023
Rivista
Geosciences (Switzerland)
Dettagli
Vol. 13 (11)
DOI
Where are we now with European forest multi-taxon biodiversity and where can we head to?
Burrascano , Sabina , Chianucci , Francesco , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Sitzia , Tommaso , Tinya , Flóra , Doerfler , Inken , Paillet , Yoan , Nagel , Thomas A. , Mitić , Božena , Morillas , Lourdes , Munzi , Silvana , Van Der Sluis , Theo , Alterio , Edoardo , Balducci , Lorenzo , de Andrade , Rafael Barreto , Bouget , Christophe , Giordani , P. , Lachat , Thibault , Matošević , Dinka , Napoleone , Francesca , Nascimbene , Juri , Paniccia , Chiara , Roth , Nicolas , Aszalós , Réka , Brazaitis , Gediminas , Cutini , Andrea , D'Andrea , Ettore , de Smedt , Pallieter , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Janssen , Philippe , Kozák , Daniel , Mårell , Anders , Mikoláš , Martin , Nordén , Björn , Matula , Radim , Schall , Peter , Svoboda , Miroslav , Ujházyová , Mariana , Vandekerkhove , Kris , Wohlwend , Michael Rudolf , Xystrakis , Fotios , Aleffi , Michele , Ammer , Christian , Archaux , Frédéric , Asbeck , Thomas , N Avtzis , Dimitrios N. , Ayasse , Manfred , Bagella , Simonetta , Balestrieri , Rosario , Barbati , Anna , Basile , Marco , Bergamini , Ariel , Bertini , Giada , Biscaccianti , Alessandro Bruno , Boch , Steffen , Bölöni , János , Bombi , Pierluigi , Boscardin , Yves , Brunialti , Giorgio , Bruun , Hans Henrik , Buscot , François , Byriel , David Bille , Campagnaro , Thomas , Campanaro , Alessandro , Chauvat , Matthieu , Ciach , Michał , Čiliak , Marek , Cistrone , Luca , Pereira , Joaò Manuel Cordeiro , Daniel , Rolf , de Cinti , Bruno , de Filippo , Gabriele , Dekoninck , Wouter , Di Salvatore , Umberto , Dumas , Yann , Elek , Zoltán , Ferretti , Fabrizio , Fotakis , Dimitrios G. , Frank , Tamás , Frey , Julian , Giancola , Carmen , Gömöryová , Erika , Gosselin , Marion , Gosselin , Frédéric , Goßner , Martin M. , Götmark , Frank , Haeler , Elena , Hansen , Aslak Kappel , Hertzog , Lionel R. , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Johannsen , Vivian Kvist , Justensen , Mathias Just , Korboulewsky , Nathalie , Kovács , Bence , Lakatos , Ferenc , Landivar , Carlos Miguel , Lens , Luc , Lingua , Emanuele
forest biodiversity biodiversity conservation forest stand structure multi-taxon sustainable management
Mostra abstract
The European biodiversity and forest strategies rely on forest sustainable management (SFM) to conserve forest biodiversity. However, current sustainability assessments hardly account for direct biodiversity indicators. We focused on forest multi-taxon biodiversity to: i) gather and map the existing information; ii) identify knowledge and research gaps; iii) discuss its research potential. We established a research network to fit data on species, standing trees, lying deadwood and sampling unit description from 34 local datasets across 3591 sampling units. A total of 8724 species were represented, with the share of common and rare species varying across taxonomic classes: some included many species with several rare ones (e.g., Insecta); others (e.g., Bryopsida) were represented by few common species. Tree-related structural attributes were sampled in a subset of sampling units (2889; 2356; 2309 and 1388 respectively for diameter, height, deadwood and microhabitats). Overall, multi-taxon studies are biased towards mature forests and may underrepresent the species related to other developmental phases. European forest compositional categories were all represented, but beech forests were over-represented as compared to thermophilous and boreal forests. Most sampling units (94%) were referred to a habitat type of conservation concern. Existing information may support European conservation and SFM strategies in: (i) methodological harmonization and coordinated monitoring; (ii) definition and testing of SFM indicators and thresholds; (iii) data-driven assessment of the effects of environmental and management drivers on multi-taxon forest biological and functional diversity, (iv) multi-scale forest monitoring integrating in-situ and remotely sensed information. © 2023 The Authors
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2023
Rivista
Biological Conservation
Dettagli
Vol. 284
DOI
Masting is uncommon in trees that depend on mutualist dispersers in the context of global climate and fertility gradients
Qiu , Tong , Aravena Acuña , Marie Claire , Ascoli , Davide , Bergeron , Yves , Bogdziewicz , Michał , Boivin , Thomas , Bonal , Raúl , Caignard , Thomas , Cailleret , Maxime , Calama , Rafael A. , Calderon , Sergio Donoso , Camarero , Jesús Julio , Chang-Yang , Chia Hao , Chave , Jérôme , Chianucci , Francesco , Courbaud , Benoít , Cutini , Andrea , Das , Adrian J. , Delpierre , Nicolas , Delzon , Sylvain , Dietze , Michael C. , Dormont , Laurent , Espelta , Josep Maria , Fahey , Timothy J. , Farfan-Rios , William R. , Franklin , Jerry F. , Gehring , Catherine A. , Gilbert , Gregory S. , Gratzer , Georg , Greenberg , Cathryn H. , Guignabert , Arthur , Guo , Qinfeng , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J. , Hampe , Arndt , Han , Qingmin , Holik , Jan , Hoshizaki , K. , Ibáñez , Inés , Johnstone , Jill F. , Journé , Valentin , Kitzberger , Thomas A. , Knops , Johannes Michael Hubertus , Kunstler , Georges , Kurokawa , Hiroko , Lageard , Jonathan G.A. , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Lefèvre , François , Leininger , Theodor D. , Limousin , Jean Marc , Lutz , James A. , Macias , Diana S. , Mårell , Anders , McIntire , Eliot J.B. , Moore , Christopher M. , Moran , Emily V. , Motta , Renzo , Myers , Jonathan A. , Nagel , Thomas A. , Naoe , Shoji , Noguchi , Mahoko , Oguro , Michio , Parmenter , Robert R. , Pearse , Ian S. , Pérez-Ramos , Ignacio M. , Piechnik , Łukasz , Podgórski , Tomasz , Poulsen , John R. , Redmond , Miranda D. , Reid , Chantal D. , Rodman , Kyle C. , Rodríguez-Sánchez , Francisco , Šamonil , Pavel , Sanguinetti , Javier D. , Scher , C. Lane , Seget , Barbara , Sharma , Shubhi , Shibata , Mitsue , Silman , Miles R. , Steele , Michael A. , Stephenson , Nathan L. , Straub , Jacob N. , Sutton , Samantha , Swenson , Jennifer J. , Swift , Margaret , Thomas , Peter A. , Uríarte , María , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Whipple , Amy Vaughn , Whitham , Thomas G. , Wion , Andreas P. , Wright , Stuart Joseph , Zhu , Kai , Zimmerman , Jess K. , Żywiec , Magdalena , Clark , James S.
plant seed seeds tree trees reproduction fertility satiety satiation
Mostra abstract
The benefits of masting (volatile, quasi-synchronous seed production at lagged intervals) include satiation of seed predators, but these benefits come with a cost to mutualist pollen and seed dispersers. If the evolution of masting represents a balance between these benefits and costs, we expect mast avoidance in species that are heavily reliant on mutualist dispersers. These effects play out in the context of variable climate and site fertility among species that vary widely in nutrient demand. Meta-analyses of published data have focused on variation at the population scale, thus omitting periodicity within trees and synchronicity between trees. From raw data on 12 million tree-years worldwide, we quantified three components of masting that have not previously been analysed together: (i) volatility, defined as the frequency-weighted year-to-year variation; (ii) periodicity, representing the lag between high-seed years; and (iii) synchronicity, indicating the tree-to-tree correlation. Results show that mast avoidance (low volatility and low synchronicity) by species dependent on mutualist dispersers explains more variation than any other effect. Nutrient-demanding species have low volatility, and species that are most common on nutrient-rich and warm/wet sites exhibit short periods. The prevalence of masting in cold/dry sites coincides with climatic conditions where dependence on vertebrate dispersers is less common than in the wet tropics. Mutualist dispersers neutralize the benefits of masting for predator satiation, further balancing the effects of climate, site fertility and nutrient demands. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
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2023
Rivista
Nature Plants
Dettagli
Vol. 9 (7) pp. 1044 - 1056
DOI
hemispheR: an R package for fisheye canopy image analysis
Chianucci , Francesco , Macek , Martin
leaf area index forest canopy hemispherical photography canopy openness clumping index
Mostra abstract
Hemispherical photography is a relevant tool to estimate canopy attributes such as leaf area index (LAI). Advancements in digital photography and image processing tools have supported long-lasting use of digital hemispherical photography (DHP). While some open-source tools exists for DHP, very few solutions have been made available in R programming packages, and none of these allows a full processing workflow to retrieve LAI and other canopy attributes from fisheye images. To fill this gap, we developed an R package (hemispheR) to support the whole processing of DHP images in an automated, fast, and reproducible way. The package functions, which are designed for step-by-step single-image analysis, can be performed sequentially in a pipeline, while allowing inspecting the quality of each image processing step. The package allows to analyze both circular and fullframe fisheye images, collected either with upward facing (forest canopies) or downward facing (short canopies and crops) camera orientation. In addition, the package allows to implement two consolidated LAI methods (LAI-2000/2200 and 57° method). A case study is presented to demonstrate the reliability of canopy attributes derived from hemispheR in temperate deciduous forests with variable canopy density and structure. Canopy attributes were validated against either results obtained from a reference proprietary software, either by benchmarking plot-level LAI with measurements obtained from littertraps. Results indicated hemispheR provide reliable openness and leaf area index in forest canopies as compared with reference values. We also found that combining hemispheR with other R packages further advance analysis of hemispherical canopy images, by reducing the sensitivity of results to camera exposure in both raw and non-raw canopy imagery. By providing a simple, transparent, and flexible image processing procedure, hemispheR supported the use of DHP for routine measurements and monitoring of forest canopy attributes. Hosting the package in a Git repository can further support development of the package, through either collaborative coding or forking projects. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
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2023
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 336
DOI
Review of ground and aerial methods for vegetation cover fraction (fCover) and related quantities estimation: definitions, advances, challenges, and future perspectives
Li , Linyuan , Mu , Xihan , Jiang , Hailan , Chianucci , Francesco , Hu , Ronghai , Song , Wanjuan , Qi , Jianbo , Liu , Shouyang , Zhou , Jiaxin , Chen , Ling , Huang , Huaguo , Yan , Guangjian
airborne remote sensing fcover ground measurements image and lidar unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) “cover” attribute
Mostra abstract
Vegetation cover fraction (fCover) and related quantities are basic yet critical vegetation structure variables in various disciplines and applications. Ground- and aerial-based proximal and remote sensing techniques have been widely adapted across multiple spatial extents. However, the definitions of fCover-related nomenclatures have not yet been fully standardized, leading to confusing terms and making comparing historic measures difficult. With the issues potentially arising from an increasing diversity of fCover and related quantities estimation methods and corresponding uncertainties, there is also a growing need to spread knowledge on the current advances, challenges, and perspectives, especially in the context of no such existing review for ground- and aerial- based estimation. This paper provides the current knowledge mainly concerning passive image-based methods and active light detection and ranging (LiDAR) -based methods. We first harmonized the definitions of fCover and its related quantities (e.g., effective canopy cover, crown cover, stratified vegetation cover, and canopy fraction). Secondly, the typical applications of fCover and related quantities over a range of scales, fields, and ecosystems were summarized. Thirdly yet importantly, we offered a comprehensive review of traditional non-imaging methods, image-based methods (e.g., segmentation, unmixing, and spectral retrieval), point cloud-based methods (e.g., rasterization), and LiDAR return-based methods (e.g., return number index and return intensity retrieval) across different platforms (i.e., ground, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and airplane). Our investigation of fCover and related quantities estimation touches upon various vegetation ecosystems, including agriculture cropland, grassland, wetland, and forest. Finally, the current challenges and future directions were discussed, such as image signal processing under complex heterogeneous surfaces and stratified cover and non-photosynthesis cover retrieval. We, therefore, expect that this review may offer an insight into fCover and related quantities estimation and serve as a reference for remote sensing scientists, agronomists, silviculturists, and ecologists. © 2023 International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Inc. (ISPRS)
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2023
Rivista
ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 199 pp. 133 - 156
DOI
Linking seed size and number to trait syndromes in trees
Bogdziewicz , Michał , Aravena Acuña , Marie Claire , Andrus , Robert A. , Ascoli , Davide , Bergeron , Yves , Brveiller , Daniel , Boivin , Thomas , Bonal , Raúl , Caignard , Thomas , Cailleret , Maxime , Calama , Rafael A. , Calderon , Sergio Donoso , Camarero , Jesús Julio , Chang-Yang , Chia Hao , Chave , Jérôme , Chianucci , Francesco , Cleavitt , Natalie L. , Courbaud , Benoít , Cutini , Andrea , Curt , Thomas , Das , Adrian J. , Davi , Hendrik , Delpierre , Nicolas , Delzon , Sylvain , Dietze , Michael C. , Dormont , Laurent , Farfan-Rios , William R. , Gehring , Catherine A. , Gilbert , Gregory S. , Gratzer , Georg , Greenberg , Cathryn H. , Guignabert , Arthur , Guo , Qinfeng , Hacket-Pain , Andrew J. , Hampe , Arndt , Han , Qingmin , Hoshizaki , K. , Ibáñez , Inés , Johnstone , Jill F. , Journé , Valentin , Kitzberger , Thomas A. , Knops , Johannes Michael Hubertus , Kunstler , Georges , Kobe , Richard K. , Lageard , Jonathan G.A. , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Ledwoń , Mateusz , Leininger , Theodor D. , Limousin , Jean Marc , Lutz , James A. , Macias , Diana S. , Mårell , Anders , McIntire , Eliot J.B. , Moran , Emily V. , Motta , Renzo , Myers , Jonathan A. , Nagel , Thomas A. , Naoe , Shoji , Noguchi , Mahoko , Oguro , Michio , Kurokawa , Hiroko , Ourcival , Jean Marc , Parmenter , Robert R. , Pérez-Ramos , Ignacio M. , Piechnik , Łukasz , Podgórski , Tomasz , Poulsen , John R. , Qiu , Tong , Redmond , Miranda D. , Reid , Chantal D. , Rodman , Kyle C. , Šamonil , Pavel , Holik , Jan , Scher , C. Lane , van Marle , Harald Schmidt , Seget , Barbara , Shibata , Mitsue , Sharma , Shubhi , Silman , Miles R. , Steele , Michael A. , Straub , Jacob N. , Sun , I. Fang , Sutton , Samantha , Swenson , Jennifer J. , Thomas , Peter A. , Uríarte , María , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Veblen , Thomas Thorstein , Wright , Boyd R. , Wright , Stuart Joseph , Whitham , Thomas G. , Zhu , Kai , Zimmerman , Jess K. , Żywiec , Magdalena , Clark , James S.
fecundity functional traits leaf economics life history strategies size syndrome tree recruitment
Mostra abstract
Aim: Our understanding of the mechanisms that maintain forest diversity under changing climate can benefit from knowledge about traits that are closely linked to fitness. We tested whether the link between traits and seed number and seed size is consistent with two hypotheses, termed the leaf economics spectrum and the plant size syndrome, or whether reproduction represents an independent dimension related to a seed size–seed number trade-off. Location: Most of the data come from Europe, North and Central America and East Asia. A minority of the data come from South America, Africa and Australia. Time period: 1960–2022. Major taxa studied: Trees. Methods: We gathered 12 million observations of the number of seeds produced in 784 tree species. We estimated the number of seeds produced by individual trees and scaled it up to the species level. Next, we used principal components analysis and generalized joint attribute modelling (GJAM) to map seed number and size on the tree traits spectrum. Results: Incorporating seed size and number into trait analysis while controlling for environment and phylogeny with GJAM exposes relationships in trees that might otherwise remain hidden. Production of the large total biomass of seeds [product of seed number and seed size; hereafter, species seed productivity (SSP)] is associated with high leaf area, low foliar nitrogen, low specific leaf area (SLA) and dense wood. Production of high seed numbers is associated with small seeds produced by nutrient-demanding species with softwood, small leaves and high SLA. Trait covariation is consistent with opposing strategies: one fast-growing, early successional, with high dispersal, and the other slow-growing, stress-tolerant, that recruit in shaded conditions. Main conclusions: Earth system models currently assume that reproductive allocation is indifferent among plant functional types. Easily measurable seed size is a strong predictor of the seed number and species seed productivity. The connection of SSP with the functional traits can form the first basis of improved fecundity prediction across global forests. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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2023
Rivista
Global Ecology and Biogeography
Dettagli
Vol. 32 (5) pp. 683 - 694
DOI
Words apart: Standardizing forestry terms and definitions across European biodiversity studies
Trentanovi , Giovanni , Campagnaro , Thomas , Sitzia , Tommaso , Chianucci , Francesco , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Ammer , Christian , Ciach , Michał , Nagel , Thomas A. , del Río , Miren , Paillet , Yoan , Munzi , Silvana , Vandekerkhove , Kris , Bravo-Oviedo , Andrés , Cutini , Andrea , D'Andrea , Ettore , de Smedt , Pallieter , Doerfler , Inken , Fotakis , Dimitrios G. , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Janssen , Philippe , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Korboulewsky , Nathalie , Kovács , Bence , Kozák , Daniel , Lachat , Thibault , Mårell , Anders , Matula , Radim , Mikoláš , Martin , Nordén , Björn , Ódor , Péter , Perović , Marko , Pötzelsberger , Elisabeth , Schall , Peter , Svoboda , Miroslav , Tinya , Flóra , Ujházyová , Mariana , Burrascano , Sabina
forest management silviculture multi-taxon data harmonization terminology
Mostra abstract
Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms, often inconsistently. This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent. Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts. This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions, creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity. We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies. While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included, information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking, shallow, or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications. We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process, and ultimately propose a common framework. This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe, and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies. The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions. © 2023 The Authors
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2023
Rivista
Forest Ecosystems
Dettagli
Vol. 10
DOI
On the temporal mismatch between in-situ and satellite-derived spring phenology of European beech forests
Ferrara , Carlotta , Chianucci , Francesco , Bajocco , Sofia
beech forest remote sensing phenology bioclimatic variables modis evi pep725
Mostra abstract
Forest phenology plays a key role in the global terrestrial ecosystem influencing a range of ecosystem processes such as the annual carbon uptake period, and many food webs and changes in their timing and progression. The timing of the start of the phenology season has been successfully determined at a range of scales, from the individual tree by in situ observations to landscape and continental scales by using remotely sensed vegetation indices (VIs). The spatial resolution of satellites is much coarser than traditional methods, creating a gap between space-borne and actual field observations, which brings limitations to phenological research at the ecosystem level. Several unconsidered methodological and observational-related limitations may lead to misinterpretation of the timing of the satellite-derived signals. The aim of this study is therefore to clarify the meaning of a set of spring phenology metrics derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) time series in beech forests distributed across Europe with respect to PEP725 in situ observations, from 2003 to 2020. To this aim, we (i) tested the differences between remotely sensed and in situ start-of-season (SOS) metrics and (ii) quantified the influence of latitude, elevation, temperature, and precipitation on such differences. Results demonstrated that there is a clear temporal gradient among the different SOS metrics, all of them occurring prior to the in situ observations. Furthermore, latitude and temperatures proved to be the main factors guiding the differences between remotely sensed and in situ SOS metrics. Evidence from this study may help in recognizing the actual meaning of what we see by means of remotely sensed phenology metrics. In this perspective, field observations are crucial in understanding phenology events and provide a reference base. Satellite data, on the other hand, complement field observations by filling in gaps in spatial and temporal coverage, thus enhancing the overall understanding. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2023
Rivista
International Journal of Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 44 (5) pp. 1684 - 1701
DOI
MASTREE+: Time-series of plant reproductive effort from six continents
Hacket-Pain , Andrew J. , Foest , Jessie J. , Pearse , Ian S. , LaMontagne , Jalene M. , Koenig , Walter D. , Vacchiano , Giorgio , Bogdziewicz , Michał , Caignard , Thomas , Celebias , Paulina , van Dormolen , Joep , Fernández-Martínez , Marcos , Moris , Jose V. , Palaghianu , Ciprian , Pesendorfer , Mario B. , Satake , Akiko , Schermer , Éliane , Tanentzap , Andrew J. , Thomas , Peter A. , Vecchio , Davide , Wion , Andreas P. , Wohlgemuth , Thomas , Xue , Tingting , Abernethy , Katharine A. , Aravena Acuña , Marie Claire , Barrera , Marcelo Daniel , Barton , Jessica H. , Boutin , Stan A. , Bush , Emma R. , Donoso Calderón , Sergio R. , Carevic , Felipe S. , Castilho , Carolina V. , Manuel Cellini , Juan , Chapman , Colin A. , Chapman , H. M. , Chianucci , Francesco , Costa , Patricia Da , Croisé , Luc , Cutini , Andrea , Dantzer , Ben J. , DeRose , Robert Justin , Dikangadissi , Jean Thoussaint , Dimoto , Edmond , da Fonseca , Fernanda Lopes , Gallo , Leonardo Ariel , Gratzer , Georg , Greene , David F. , Hadad , Martín Ariel , Huertas Herrera , Alejandro , Jeffery , Kathryn J. , Johnstone , Jill F. , Kalbitzer , Urs , Kantorowicz , Władysław , Klimas , Christie Ann , Lageard , Jonathan G.A. , Lane , Jeffrey E. , Lapin , Katharina , Ledwoń , Mateusz , Leeper , Abigail C. , Lencinas , María Vanessa , Lira-Guedes , Ana Cláudia , Lordon , Michael C. , Marchelli , Paula , Marino , Shealyn , Schmidt van Marle , Harald , McAdam , Andrew G. , Momont , Ludovic R.W. , Nicolas , Manuel , de Oliveira Wadt , Lúcia Helena , Panahi , Parisa , Martínez Pastur , Guillermo J. , Patterson , Thomas W. , Luis Peri , Pablo , Piechnik , Łukasz , Pourhashemi , Mehdi , Espinoza Quezada , Claudia , Roig , Fidel Alejandro , Peña-Rojas , Karen A. , Rosas , Yamina Micaela , Schueler , Silvio , Seget , Barbara , Soler , Rosina M. , Steele , Michael A. , Toro Manríquez , Mónica Del Rosario , Tutin , Caroline E.G. , Ukizintambara , Tharcisse , White , Lee J.T. , Yadok , Biplang Godwill , Willis , John L. , Zolles , Anita , Żywiec , Magdalena , Ascoli , Davide
plant reproduction masting demography flowering general flowering recruitment regeneration
Mostra abstract
Significant gaps remain in understanding the response of plant reproduction to environmental change. This is partly because measuring reproduction in long-lived plants requires direct observation over many years and such datasets have rarely been made publicly available. Here we introduce MASTREE+, a data set that collates reproductive time-series data from across the globe and makes these data freely available to the community. MASTREE+ includes 73,828 georeferenced observations of annual reproduction (e.g. seed and fruit counts) in perennial plant populations worldwide. These observations consist of 5971 population-level time-series from 974 species in 66 countries. The mean and median time-series length is 12.4 and 10 years respectively, and the data set includes 1122 series that extend over at least two decades (≥20 years of observations). For a subset of well-studied species, MASTREE+ includes extensive replication of time-series across geographical and climatic gradients. Here we describe the open-access data set, available as a.csv file, and we introduce an associated web-based app for data exploration. MASTREE+ will provide the basis for improved understanding of the response of long-lived plant reproduction to environmental change. Additionally, MASTREE+ will enable investigation of the ecology and evolution of reproductive strategies in perennial plants, and the role of plant reproduction as a driver of ecosystem dynamics. © 2022 The Authors. Global Change Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2022
Rivista
Global Change Biology
Dettagli
Vol. 28 (9) pp. 3066 - 3082
DOI
Ultrahigh-resolution boreal forest canopy mapping: Combining UAV imagery and photogrammetric point clouds in a deep-learning-based approach
Li , Linyuan , Mu , Xihan , Chianucci , Francesco , Qi , Jianbo , Jiang , Jingyi , Zhou , Jiaxin , Chen , Ling , Huang , Huaguo , Yan , Guangjian , Liu , Shouyang
crown cover canopy mapping image overlap self-supervised deep learning sfm point cloud uav imagery
Mostra abstract
Accurate wall-to-wall estimation of forest crown cover is critical for a wide range of ecological studies. Notwithstanding the increasing use of UAVs in forest canopy mapping, the ultrahigh-resolution UAV imagery requires an appropriate procedure to separate the contribution of understorey from overstorey vegetation, which is complicated by the spectral similarity between the two forest components and the illumination environment. In this study, we investigated the integration of deep learning and the combined data of imagery and photogrammetric point clouds for boreal forest canopy mapping. The procedure enables the automatic creation of training sets of tree crown (overstorey) and background (understorey) data via the combination of UAV images and their associated photogrammetric point clouds and expands the applicability of deep learning models with self-supervision. Based on the UAV images with different overlap levels of 12 conifer forest plots that are categorized into “I”, “II” and “III” complexity levels according to illumination environment, we compared the self-supervised deep learning-predicted canopy maps from original images with manual delineation data and found an average intersection of union (IoU) larger than 0.9 for “complexity I” and “complexity II” plots and larger than 0.75 for “complexity III” plots. The proposed method was then compared with three classical image segmentation methods (i.e., maximum likelihood, Kmeans, and Otsu) in the plot-level crown cover estimation, showing outperformance in overstorey canopy extraction against other methods. The proposed method was also validated against wall-to-wall and pointwise crown cover estimates using UAV LiDAR and in situ digital cover photography (DCP) benchmarking methods. The results showed that the model-predicted crown cover was in line with the UAV LiDAR method (RMSE of 0.06) and deviate from the DCP method (RMSE of 0.18). We subsequently compared the new method and the commonly used UAV structure-from-motion (SfM) method at varying forward and lateral overlaps over all plots and a rugged terrain region, yielding results showing that the method-predicted crown cover was relatively insensitive to varying overlap (largest bias of less than 0.15), whereas the UAV SfM-estimated crown cover was seriously affected by overlap and decreased with decreasing overlap. In addition, canopy mapping over rugged terrain verified the merits of the new method, with no need for a detailed digital terrain model (DTM). The new method is recommended to be used in various image overlaps, illuminations, and terrains due to its robustness and high accuracy. This study offers opportunities to promote forest ecological applications (e.g., leaf area index estimation) and sustainable management (e.g., deforestation). © 2022 The Author(s)
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2022
Rivista
International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Dettagli
Vol. 107
DOI
Handbook of field sampling for multi-taxon biodiversity studies in European forests
Burrascano , Sabina , Trentanovi , Giovanni , Paillet , Yoan , Heilmann-Clausen , Jacob , Giordani , P. , Bagella , Simonetta , Bravo-Oviedo , Andrés , Campagnaro , Thomas , Campanaro , Alessandro , Chianucci , Francesco , de Smedt , Pallieter , Itziar , García Mijangos , Matošević , Dinka , Sitzia , Tommaso , Aszalós , Réka , Brazaitis , Gediminas , Cutini , Andrea , D'Andrea , Ettore , Doerfler , Inken , Hofmeister , Jeňýk , Hošek , Jan , Janssen , Philippe , Kepfer-Rojas , Sebastian , Korboulewsky , Nathalie , Kozák , Daniel , Lachat , Thibault , Lõhmus , Asko , López , Rosana , Mårell , Anders , Matula , Radim , Mikoláš , Martin , Munzi , Silvana , Nordén , Björn , Pärtel , Meelis , Penner , Johannes , Runnel , Kadri , Schall , Peter , Svoboda , Miroslav , Tinya , Flóra , Ujházyová , Mariana , Vandekerkhove , Kris , Verheyen , Kris , Xystrakis , Fotios , Ódor , Péter
biodiversity forest stand structure multi-taxon field methods indicators sampling protocol
Mostra abstract
Forests host most terrestrial biodiversity and their sustainable management is crucial to halt biodiversity loss. Although scientific evidence indicates that sustainable forest management (SFM) should be assessed by monitoring multi-taxon biodiversity, most current SFM criteria and indicators account only for trees or consider indirect biodiversity proxies. Several projects performed multi-taxon sampling to investigate the effects of forest management on biodiversity, but the large variability of their sampling approaches hampers the identification of general trends, and limits broad-scale inference for designing SFM. Here we address the need of common sampling protocols for forest structure and multi-taxon biodiversity to be used at broad spatial scales. We established a network of researchers involved in 41 projects on forest multi-taxon biodiversity across 13 European countries. The network data structure comprised the assessment of at least three taxa, and the measurement of forest stand structure in the same plots or stands. We mapped the sampling approaches to multi-taxon biodiversity, standing trees and deadwood, and used this overview to provide operational answers to two simple, yet crucial, questions: what to sample? How to sample? The most commonly sampled taxonomic groups are vascular plants (83% of datasets), beetles (80%), lichens (66%), birds (66%), fungi (61%), bryophytes (49%). They cover different forest structures and habitats, with a limited focus on soil, litter and forest canopy. Notwithstanding the common goal of assessing forest management effects on biodiversity, sampling approaches differed widely within and among taxonomic groups. Differences derive from sampling units (plots size, use of stand vs. plot scale), and from the focus on different substrates or functional groups of organisms. Sampling methods for standing trees and lying deadwood were relatively homogeneous and focused on volume calculations, but with a great variability in sampling units and diameter thresholds. We developed a handbook of sampling methods (SI 3) aimed at the greatest possible comparability across taxonomic groups and studies as a basis for European-wide biodiversity monitoring programs, robust understanding of biodiversity response to forest structure and management, and the identification of direct indicators of SFM. © 2021 The Authors
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2021
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 132
DOI
Testing an expanded set of sustainable forest management indicators in Mediterranean coppice area
Cutini , Andrea , Ferretti , Marco , Bertini , Giada , Brunialti , Giorgio , Bagella , Simonetta , Chianucci , Francesco , Fabbio , Gianfranco , Fratini , Roberto , Riccioli , Francesco , Caddeo , C. , Calderisi , Marco , Ciucchi , B. , Corradini , Stefano , Cristofolini , Fabiana , Cristofori , Antonella , Di Salvatore , Umberto , Ferrara , Carlotta , Frati , Luisa , Landi , Sara , Marchino , Luca , Patteri , Giacomo , Piovosi , Maurizio , Roggero , Pier Paolo , Seddaiu , Giovanna , Gottardini , Elena
silviculture coppice conversion coppice natural evolution coppice system environmental monitoring sfm criteria
Mostra abstract
Although coppice forests represent a significant part of the European forest area, especially across southern Countries, they received little attention within the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) processes and scenarios, whose guidelines have been mainly designed to high forests and national scale. In order to obtain “tailored” information on the degree of sustainability of coppices on the scale of the stand, we evaluated (i) whether the main coppice management options result in different responses of the SFM indicators, and (ii) the degree to which the considered SFM indicators were appropriate in their application at stand level. The study considered three different management options (Traditional Coppice TC, coppice under Natural Evolution NE, and coppice under Conversion to high forest by means of periodical thinning CO). In each of the 43 plots considered in the study, which covered three different European Forest Types, we applied a set of eighteen “consolidated” SFM indicators, covering all the six SFM Criteria (FOREST EUROPE, 2020) and, additionally, tested other sixteen novel indicators shaped for agamic forests and/or applicable at stand level. Results confirmed that several consolidated indicators related to resources status (Growing stock and Carbon stock), health (Defoliation and Forest damage), and socio-economic functions (Net revenue, Energy and Accessibility) were highly appropriate for evaluating the sustainability of coppice at stand level. In addition, some novel indicators related to resources status (Total above ground tree biomass), health (Stand growth) and protective functions (Overstorey cover and Understorey cover) proved to be highly appropriate and able to support the information obtained by the consolidated ones. As a consequence, a subset of consolidated SFM indicators, complemented with the most appropriate novel ones, may represent a valid option to support the evaluation of coppice sustainability at stand level. An integrated analysis of the SFM indicators showed that NE and CO display significant higher environmental performances as compared with TC. In addition, CO has positive effects also on socio-economic issues, while TC -which is an important cultural heritage and a silvicultural option that may help to keep local communities engaged in forestry – combines high wood harvesting rates with dense understory cover. Overall, each of the three management options showed specific sustainability values; as a consequence, their coexistence at a local scale and in accordance with the specific environmental conditions and the social-economic context, is greatly recommended since it may fulfill a wider array of sustainability issues. © 2021
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2021
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 130
DOI
Continuous observations of forest canopy structure using low-cost digital camera traps
Chianucci , Francesco , Bajocco , Sofia , Ferrara , Carlotta
camera trapping digital cover photography trail camera phenological transition repeat photography
Mostra abstract
Assessing forest canopy dynamics is crucial for understanding the response of vegetation to environmental variability and change. While digital repeat photography is gaining increased attention for obtaining field phenology observations, colour indices derived from this method are often affected by leaf colour and actual canopy structure, complicating the physical interpretation of results. In addition, repeated photography requires power, storage capacity and remote data transfer, which are often limited in forest conditions. As an alternative, we tested a simple, cheap and fast solution to derive daily canopy structure observation from digital camera traps (CTs). Formerly deployed for wildlife monitoring, CTs are low-cost digital cameras designed for outdoor conditions and have low battery consumption, enable repeat acquisition, and often feature remote data transfer protocols. The trial was performed in a deciduous oak stand, where continuous images were acquired over a 1-year period using the time-lapse feature of the CT. Daily time series of canopy structure attributes were derived from the collected images using simple and automated procedures. Results were validated against reference manual cover photography measurements. The daily time series of foliage cover and leaf area index were then used to derive phenological transition dates, which were compared against phenological observations obtained from satellite Sentinel-2 data. Results indicated that field and satellite data provided comparable accuracy in determining the start of season (SOS). Larger discrepancies were found in determining the end of season (EOS), which can be attributed to the low number of good quality autumn images available from the satellite data. We concluded that CT is a robust method, which is ideally suited for routine, continuous field monitoring of canopy attributes and phenology. While this method can be used for evaluating remote sensing observations, the combination of CTs with satellite data holds great potential for greater spatiotemporal coverage, from field to landscape scales. © 2021
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2021
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 307
DOI
Evaluating sampling schemes for quantifying seed production in beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests using ground quadrats
Chianucci , Francesco , Tattoni , Clara , Ferrara , Carlotta , Ciolli , Marco , Brogi , Rudy , Zanni , Michele , Apollonio , Marco , Cutini , Andrea
masting beechnuts litter traps mast seeding tree seed counts
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of seed production are central for understanding mast seeding mechanisms at tree and forest scales, and for designing sustainable management strategies. As trees are long-lived organisms, a long-term perspective is required to understand how reproduction acts during the life cycle of a tree. However, long-term series of seed production are challenging to obtain, as the available seed count procedures strictly rely on field methods, which are cost- and time-consuming, inherently limiting their widespread use at extensive spatial and temporal scales. In this study, we proposed a simple, rapid and flexible field method based on counting the seed in mobile ground quadrats (GQ), which was tested in beech forests. Quadrat measurements were first validated against reference measurements obtained from litter traps (LT) in three permanent plots. Results indicated that GQ provides robust and reliable estimates of seeds, which are not affected by seed predation occurring at the forest floor. Additional quadrat measurements were performed to evaluate the influence of sampling schemes (random, regular, systematic) on the estimation of mean seed production at the plot scale. One hundred quadrats were collected in 0.25 ha beech plots and considered as a reference for evaluating the different sampling schemes and sampling sizes. Measurements were performed in October (three plots), which represented the peak of seed fall, and November (two plots). Results indicate that about 25 randomly located measurements allowed to characterize plot-level mean seed production with an acceptable error below 20%, regardless of the different mean seed production observed between the studied plots and the sampling periods. If the 25 sampling points are arranged in a grid, the obtained mean estimates are within the confidence interval of the reference plot-level values. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.
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2021
Rivista
Forest Ecology and Management
Dettagli
Vol. 493
DOI
A comparison of ground-based count methods for quantifying seed production in temperate broadleaved tree species
Tattoni , Clara , Chianucci , Francesco , Ciolli , Marco , Ferrara , Carlotta , Marchino , Luca , Zanni , Michele , Zatelli , Paolo , Cutini , Andrea
masting mast seeding acorns litter trap nuts
Mostra abstract
• Key message: Litter trap is considered the most effective method to quantify seed production, but it is expensive and time-consuming. Counting fallen seeds using a quadrat placed on the ground yields comparable estimates to the litter traps. Ground quadrat estimates derived from either visual counting in the field or image counting from quadrat photographs are comparable, with the latter being also robust in terms of user sensitivity. • Context: Accurate estimates of forest seed production are central for a wide range of ecological studies. As reference methods such as litter traps (LT) are cost- and time-consuming, there is a need of fast, reliable, and low-cost tools to quantify this variable in the field. • Aims: To test two indirect methods, which consist of counting the seeds fallen in quadrats. • Methods: The trial was performed in three broadleaved (beech, chestnut, and Turkey oak) tree species. Seeds are either manually counted in quadrats placed at the ground (GQ) or from images acquired in the same quadrats (IQ) and then compared against LT measurements. • Results: GQ and IQ provide fast and reliable estimates of seeds in both oak and chestnut. In particular, IQ is robust in terms of user sensitivity and potentially enables automation in the process of seed monitoring. A null-mast year in beech hindered validation of quadrats in beech. • Conclusion: Quadrat counting is a powerful tool to estimate forest seed production. We recommend using quadrats and LT to cross-calibrate the two methods in case of estimating seed biomass. Quadrats could then be used more routinely on account of their faster and simpler procedure to obtain measurements at more spatially extensive scales. © 2021, The Author(s).
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2021
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 78 (1)
DOI
Characterizing the climatic niche of mast seeding in beech: Evidences of trade-offs between vegetation growth and seed production
Bajocco , Sofia , Ferrara , Carlotta , Bascietto , Marco , Alivernini , Alessandro , Chirichella , Roberta , Cutini , Andrea , Chianucci , Francesco
phenology ndvi masting enfa landsat spei
Mostra abstract
Masting is a complex mechanism which is mainly driven by a combination of internal plant resources and climatic conditions. While the driving role of climate in masting is being intensively studied, the interplay among climate, seed production, vegetation growth and phenology still needs further investigation. The objectives of this study were to identify the climatic determinants of different levels of seed production and of NDVI-based vegetation growth and phenology in European beech, and to evaluate if exists a trade-off between these two plant processes. To answer these questions, we used a 25-year-long dataset of beech seed production. We exploited the concept of ecological niche assuming that a mast year can be modeled like a species with variable preferences for different resources, which are the underlying annual climatic conditions; we performed an Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA), a presence-only modeling tool conventionally used in zoology and botany, and used seasonal (spring, summer, autumn) Standardized Precipitation-Evaporation Index (SPEI) observations, considering the current year (y−0), and up to one (y−1) and two (y−2) years before the masting event. For analyzing the role of vegetation growth and phenology, we used seasonal Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values and associated NDVI-based phenological metrics derived from Landsat imagery. Results indicated the driving role of climate for masting, especially in VHSP years. A moist summer and dry spring at y−2 and a dry summer at y−1 represented the main driving climatic conditions for masting; while a moist spring during the observation year represented the key condition for triggering higher intensities of seed production. Summer NDVI at y−0 and y−1 represented the variables discriminating best between masting and non-masting years and resulted as driven by opposite summer climatic conditions than seed production, thus indicating a trade-off between seed production and vegetation phenology. We concluded that reproduction and vegetation growth act as two different climate-dependent plant responses in beech, in a way that certain conditions through the years promote mast seeding and the opposite conditions favor vegetation growth. The understanding of climate-growth-masting relationships represents indispensable knowledge for providing a holistic view of masting mechanisms and developing adaptive forest management strategies in this species. © 2020
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2021
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 121
DOI
IN SITU (TREE TALKER) AND REMOTELY-SENSED MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY (SENTINEL-2) INTEGRATION FOR CONTINUOUS FOREST MONITORING: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD WALL-TO-WALL MAPPING OF TREE FUNCTIONAL TRAITS
Francini , Saverio , Zorzi , Ilaria , Giannetti , Francesca , Chianucci , Francesco , Travaglini , Davide , Chirici , Gherardo , Cocozza , C.
remote sensing deep learning modelling sensors tree talker tree-functional traits
Mostra abstract
Monitoring tree functional traits is essential for understanding forest ecosystems' capability to respond to climate change. Advancements in continuous proximal sensors and IoT technologies hold great potential for monitoring forest and tree ecosystem processes at the finest spatial and temporal scale. An example is the TreeTalker (TT) technology, which features sensors for measurements of the radial growth, sap flow, multispectral light transmission, air temperature, and humidity at tree level with an hourly frequency rate. Such information can be linked with remote sensing data acquired by the Sentinel-2 (S2) mission, allowing for scaling results over more spatially extensive areas. Firstly, we compared six TT with four S2 spectral bands with similar wavelengths. No correlation was found for blue, green and red channels (R<sup>2</sup> ranged between 0.04 and 0.09) while higher values were found for the near-infrared channel (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9). To obtain an accurate prediction of TTs bands, also for those TTs bands which wavelengths are not similar to that of S2 bands, we implemented a Sentinel-2 to TreeTalker model (S2TT) by using an 8-layers fully connected deep neural network. The model was tested by using 23 Sentinel-2 imagery and data acquired by 40 TreeTalkers located in two different sites in Tuscany (a beech and a silver fir forest stand) in the period between 2020-07-15 and 2020-11-15. The R<sup>2</sup> ranged between 0.61 (B7, blue) and 0.96 (B6, near-infrared band). The S2TT model represents the first link between remote sensing and TreeTalkers, which might allow predicting tree functional traits using Sentinel-2 imagery. © 2021, Italian Society of Remote Sensing. All rights reserved.
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2021
Rivista
Trends in Earth Observation
Dettagli
Vol. 2 pp. 108 - 111
Dataset of tree inventory and canopy structure in poplar plantations in Northern Italy
Chianucci , Francesco , Marchino , Luca , Bidini , Claudio , Giorcelli , Achille , Coaloa , Domenico , Chiarabaglio , Pier Mario , Giannetti , Francesca , Chirici , Gherardo , Tattoni , Clara
leaf area index precision forestry crown volume hybrid i-214 poplar stem volume
Mostra abstract
The dataset reports data collected in 38 square (50 x 50m) 0.25 ha plots representative of poplar plantations in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy), which were used to calibrate optical information derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite (Sentinel-2) sensors. In each plot, the diameter at breast height was measured using a caliper; height, stem and crown volume of each tree were then derived from diameter using allometric equations developed in an independent study. Additional canopy attributes (foliage and crown cover, crown porosity, leaf area index) were derived in each plot from 12-20 optical images collected using digital cover photography (DCP). The collected data allows characterizing the assessment of structure of these plantations, along with their variation over the rotation time. Canopy and crown data also enable the evaluation of optimal rotation and tree spacing, as well as the relationship between stand and canopy structure. The raw datasets consist of 2,591 records (trees) associated with inventory measurements and 616 records (images) associated with optical canopy measurements. An R code was also provided to calculate plot-level attributes from raw data. Dataset and associated metadata are freely available at http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/ycr7w5pvkt.1. © 2021 Centro di Ricerca per la Selvicoltura, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria. All rights reserved.
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2021
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 46 (1) pp. 93 - 96
DOI
THz water transmittance and leaf surface area: An effective nondestructive method for determining leaf water content
Pagano , Mario , Baldacci , Lorenzo , Ottomaniello , Andrea , Dato , Giovanbattista De , Chianucci , Francesco , Masini , Luca , Carelli , Giorgio , Toncelli , Alessandra , Storchi , Paolo , Tredicucci , Alessandro , Corona , P.
drought stress leaves plants terahertz quantum cascade laser water content
Mostra abstract
Water availability is a major limiting factor in plant productivity and plays a key role in plant species distribution over a given area. New technologies, such as terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz‐QCLs) have proven to be non‐invasive, effective, and accurate tools for measuring and monitoring leaf water content. This study explores the feasibility of using an advanced THz-QCL device for measuring the absolute leaf water content in Corylus avellana L., Laurus nobilis L., Ostrya carpinifolia Scop., Quercus ilex L., Quercus suber L., and Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Sangiovese). A recently proposed, simple spectroscopic technique was used, consisting in determining the transmission of the THz light beam through the leaf combined with a photographic measurement of the leaf area. A significant correlation was found between the product of the leaf optical depth (τ) and the leaf surface area (LA) with the leaf water mass (Mw) for all the studied species (Pearson’s r test, p ≤ 0.05). In all cases, the best fit regression line, in the graphs of τLA as a function of Mw, displayed R2 values always greater than 0.85. The method proposed can be combined with water stress indices of plants in order to gain a better understanding of the leaf water management processes or to indirectly monitor the kinetics of leaf invasion by pathogenic bacteria, possibly leading to the development of specific models to study and fight them. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2019
Rivista
Sensors (Switzerland)
Dettagli
Vol. 19 (22)
DOI
Development of digital photographic approaches to assess leaf traits in broadleaf tree species
Chianucci , Francesco , Ferrara , Carlotta , Pollastrini , M. , Corona , P.
foliar morphology foliar physiology functional leaf traits leaf optical properties leaf reflectance
Mostra abstract
Plants display a large number of traits which are reflected in physiological and ecological functions (functional traits). Leaf traits are amongst the most important functional traits. However, a great challenge in measuring leaf traits in the field is that direct methods are limited by the cost of the instruments and the time and work required by direct measurements, which are often destructive. As an alternative, we developed and tested a non-destructive methodology to assess a suite of leaf traits using different digital photographic approaches, with the intimate aim to develop a rapid, robust and cheap protocol for leaf trait measurements in the field. The proposed digital photographic approaches were tested in broadleaved tree species Digital photography allowed to assess a morphological foliar trait (leaf area; LA) and physiological foliar traits (leaf reflectance in red (R), green (G) and blue (B) bands; leaf venation attributes). Leaf area derived from photography significantly agreed with that directly measured with a leaf area meter (LA<inf>PHOTO</inf> = 0.98 LA<inf>AREA METER</inf> + 0.84, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, p < 0.001); leaf reflectance in the R, G, B channels derived from photography significantly agreed with that directly measured with a field spectroradiometer (SPEC) (R<inf>PHOTO</inf> = 0.77 R<inf>SPEC</inf> + 0.05, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.61, p < 0.001; G<inf>PHOTO</inf> = 0.79 G<inf>SPEC</inf> + 0.06, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.58, p < 0.001; B<inf>PHOTO</inf> = 0.56 B<inf>SPEC</inf> + 0.00, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.51, p < 0.001). Leaf venation traits estimated from photography agreed to within ±20% measurements obtained in cleared leaves of the same species. Based on the obtained results, we demonstrated that digital photography can be an effective tool to obtain a fast, cheap, reliable and non-destructive assessment of morphological and physiological leaf traits in broadleaf tree species, being highly suitable for use in long-term research and monitoring programs. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
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2019
Rivista
Ecological Indicators
Dettagli
Vol. 106
DOI
Multi-temporal dataset of stand and canopy structural data in temperate and Mediterranean coppice forests
Chianucci , Francesco , Ferrara , Carlotta , Bertini , Giada , Fabbio , Gianfranco , Tattoni , Clara , Rocchini , Duccio , Corona , P. , Cutini , Andrea
leaf area index canopy gap fraction coppice management conversion litterfall
Mostra abstract
Key message: We provided long-term stand and canopy structural data from permanent monitoring plots representative of some most diffuse temperate and Mediterranean forests, under different coppice management regimes. Periodic inventories were performed in the surveyed plots since the 1970s. Annual litterfall production and its partitioning (leaf, woody, reproductive parts) and optical canopy measurements using the LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer were performed every year in fully equipped plots since the 1990s. These data can be used for evaluating the influence of coppice management in the stand and canopy structure, the parametrization of radiative transfer models that require accurate ground truth data, and the calibration of high to medium resolution remotely sensed data. Dataset access is at https://doi.org/10.17632/z8zm3ytkcx.2. Associated metadata is available at https://agroenvgeo.data.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/2bd2d77f-3cf8-43da-b1b5-9f8196dc017f . © 2019, INRA and Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature.
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2019
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 76 (3)
DOI
LONG-TERM COMPARISON OF IN SITU AND REMOTELY-SENSED LEAF AREA INDEX IN TEMPERATE AND MEDITERRANEAN BROADLEAVED FORESTS
Tattoni , Clara , Chianucci , Francesco , Grotti , Mirko , Zorer , Roberto , Cutini , Andrea , Rocchini , Duccio
forest canopy lai-2000/2200 modis time-series
Mostra abstract
Monitoring vegetation structure and functioning is critical for modelling terrestrial ecosystems and energy cycles. Leaf area index (LAI) is an important structural property of vegetation used in many land-surface, climate, and forest monitoring applications. Remote sensing provides a unique way to obtain estimates of leaf area index at spatially extensive areas. However, the analysis and extraction of quantitative information from remotely-sensed data require accurate cross-calibration with in situ forest measurements, which are generally spatially-and temporally-limited, thereby limiting the ability to compare the seasonal dynamic patterns between field and remotely-sensed time series. This is particularly relevant in temperate broadleaved forests, which are characterized by high level of complexity, which can complicate the retrieval of vegetation attributes from remotely-sensed data. In this study, we performed a long-term comparison of MODIS LAI products with continuous in situ leaf area index measurements collected monthly in temperate and Mediterranean forests from 2000 to 2016. Results indicated that LAI showed a good correlation between satellite and ground data for most of the stands, and the pattern in seasonal changes were highly overlapping between the time-series. We conclude that MODIS LAI data are suitable for phenological application and for up-scaling LAI from the stand level to larger scales. © 2019, Italian Society of Remote Sensing. All rights reserved.
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2019
Rivista
Trends in Earth Observation
Dettagli
Vol. 1 pp. 81 - 84
A new method to estimate clumping index integrating gap fraction averaging with the analysis of gap size distribution
Chianucci , Francesco , Zou , Jie , Leng , Peng , Zhuang , Yinguo , Ferrara , Carlotta
leaf area index hemispherical photography canopy nonrandomness ordered weighted averaging (owa) operator orness
Mostra abstract
Estimates of clumping index (Ω) are required to improve the indirect estimation of leaf area index (L) from optical field-based instruments such as digital hemispherical photography (DHP). A widely used method allows estimation of Ω from DHP using simple gap fraction averaging formulas (LX). This method is simple and effective but has the disadvantage of being sensitive to the spatial scale (i.e., the azimuth segment size in DHP) used for averaging and canopy density. In this study, we propose a new method to estimate Ω (LXG) based on ordered weighted gap fraction averaging (OWA) formulas, which addresses the disadvantages of LX and also accounts for gap size distribution. The new method was tested in 11 broadleaved forest stands in Italy; Ω estimated from LXG was compared with other commonly used clumping correction methods (LX, CC, and CLX). Results showed that LXG yielded more accurate Ω estimates, which were also more correlated with the values obtained from the gap size distribution methods (CC and CLX) than Ω obtained from LX. Leaf area index estimates, adjusted by LXG, are only 5%–6% lower than direct measurements obtained from litter traps, while other commonly used clumping correction methods yielded more underestimation. © 2019, Canadian Science Publishing. All rights reserved.
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2019
Rivista
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
Dettagli
Vol. 49 (5) pp. 471 - 479
DOI
Generalized biomass equations for Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) across the Mediterranean basin
Correia , A. C. , Faias , Sónia Pacheco , Ruiz-Peinado , Ricardo , Chianucci , Francesco , Cutini , Andrea , Fontes , Luís , Manetti , Maria Chiara , Montero , Gregorio , Soares , P. , Tomé , Margarida
aboveground biomass allometry carbon estimation mixed models residual analysis root biomass simultaneous fitting
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of tree biomass are strongly required for forest carbon budget estimates and to understand ecosystem dynamics for a sustainable management. Existing biomass equations for Mediterranean species are scarce, stand- and site-specific and therefore are not suitable for large scale application. In this study, biomass allometric equations were developed for stone pine (Pinus pinea L.), a Mediterranean tree species with relevant ecologic and economic interest. A dataset of 283 harvested trees was compiled with above- and belowground biomass from 16 sites in three countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal) representative of the species’ geographical Mediterranean distribution. A preliminary approach comparing the ordinary least squares method and the mixed model approach was performed in order to evaluate the most appropriate method for nested data in the absence of calibration data. To quantify the sources of error associated with applying biomass equations beyond the geographical range of the data used to develop them, a residual analysis was conducted. The allometric analysis showed low intra-specific variability in aboveground biomass relationships, which was relatively insensitive to the stand and site conditions. Significant differences were found for the crown components (needles and branches), which may be attributed to local geographical adaptation, site conditions and stand management. The root biomass was highly correlated with diameter at breast height irrespective of the geographical origin. Biased estimates were found when using site-specific equations outside the geographical range from where they were developed. The new biomass equations improved the accuracy of biomass estimates, particularly for the aboveground components of higher dimension trees and for the root component, being highly suitable for use in regional and national biomass forest calculations. It is, up to the present, the most complete database of harvested stone pine trees worldwide. © 2018
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2018
Rivista
Forest Ecology and Management
Dettagli
Vol. 429 pp. 425 - 436
DOI
Sustainable land-use, wildfires, and evolving local contexts in a Mediterranean Country, 2000-2015
Marchi , Maurizio , Chianucci , Francesco , Ferrara , Carlotta , Pontuale , Giorgio , Pontuale , Elisa , Mavrakis , Anastasios F. , Morrow , Nathan , Rossi , Fabrizio , Salvati , Luca
economic crisis fires mediterranean region multivariate analysis urban sprawl
Mostra abstract
Socioeconomic conditions and land management choices combine to affect changes in long-term wildfire regimes in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Identification of specific drivers and dynamics at the local level is needed to inform land resource planning and to enhance wildfire management efficiency. Therefore, investigating feedback relationships between wildfire and socioeconomic conditions at local and regional scales can reveal consistency in spatial and temporal patterns influencing wildfire frequency, intensity, and severity. This study assessed long-term wildfire characteristics in Greece-one of the most fire-prone countries in Europe-over two consecutive time periods characterized by economic expansion (2000-2007) and recession (2008- 2015). An integrated, multivariate statistical approach was implemented to assess the latent relationship between socioeconomic forces and localized wildfire regime indicators. Changes in the number of fires at the wildland-urban interface and duration of wildfires were consistent with expectations. Observed changes in the size of fires showed mixed results. Empirical findings of this study indicate analysis of wildfire regimes that takes into account both the socioeconomic and environmental factors in the overall territorial context of Mediterranean-type ecosystems, at both regional and local scale, may prove informative for the design of wildfire prevention measures in Greece. © 2018 by the authors.
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2018
Rivista
Sustainability (Switzerland)
Dettagli
Vol. 10 (11)
DOI
Comparison of seven inversion models for estimating plant andwoody area indices of leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopy using explicit 3D forest scenes
Zou , Jie , Zhuang , Yinguo , Chianucci , Francesco , Mai , Chunna , Lin , Weimu , Leng , Peng , Luo , Shezhou , Yan , Bojie
forest canopy canopy element and woody component projection functions clumping effect digital hemispherical photography forest scenes inversion model leaf area index (lai) plant area index (pai) woody area index (wai)
Mostra abstract
Optical methods require model inversion to infer plant area index (PAI) and woody area index (WAI) of leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopy from gap fraction or radiation attenuation measurements. Several inversion models have been developed previously, however, a thorough comparison of those inversion models in obtaining the PAI and WAI of leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopy has not been conducted so far. In the present study, an explicit 3D forest scene series with different PAI,WAI, phenological periods, stand density, tree species composition, plant functional types, canopy element clumping index, and woody component clumping index was generated using 50 detailed 3D tree models. The explicit 3D forest scene series was then used to assess the performance of seven commonly used inversion models to estimate the PAI andWAI of the leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopy. The PAI andWAI estimated from the seven inversion models and simulated digital hemispherical photography images were compared with the true PAI and WAI of leaf-on and leaf-off forest scenes. Factors that contributed to the differences between the estimates of the seven inversion models were analyzed. Results show that both the factors of inversion model, canopy element and woody component projection functions, canopy element and woody component estimation algorithms, and segment size are contributed to the differences between the PAI and WAI estimated from the seven inversion models. There is no universally valid combination of inversion model, needle-to-shoot area ratio, canopy element and woody component clumping index estimation algorithm, and segment size that can accurately measure the PAI and WAI of all leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopies. The performance of the combinations of inversion model, needle-to-shoot area ratio, canopy element and woody component clumping index estimation algorithm, and segment size to estimate the PAI and WAI of leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopies is the function of the inversion model as well as the canopy element and woody component clumping index estimation algorithm, segment size, PAI,WAI, tree species composition, and plant functional types. The impact of canopy element and woody component projection function measurements on the PAI and WAI estimation of the leaf-on and leaf-off forest canopy can be reduced to a low level ( < 4%) by adopting appropriate inversion models. © 2018 by the authors.
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2018
Rivista
Remote Sensing
Dettagli
Vol. 10 (8)
DOI
Climate, tree masting and spatial behaviour in wild boar (Sus scrofa L.): insight from a long-term study
Bisi , Francesco , Chirichella , Roberta , Chianucci , Francesco , von Hardenberg , Jost Graf , Cutini , Andrea , Martinoli , Adriano , Apollonio , Marco
masting mast seeding apennine forests deciduous forests hunting management seed consumer
Mostra abstract
Key message: Climate factors affect seed biomass production which in turn influences autumn wild boar spatial behaviour. Adaptive management strategies require an understanding of both masting and its influence on the behaviour of pulsed resource consumers like wild boar. Context: Pulsed resources ecosystem could be strongly affected by climate. Disantangling the role of climate on mast seeding allow to understand a seed consumer spatial behaviour to design proper wildlife and forest management strategies. Aims: We investigated the relationship between mast seeding and climatic variables and we evaluated the influence of mast seeding on wild boar home range dynamics. Methods: We analysed mast seeding as seed biomass production of three broadleaf tree species (Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus cerris L., Castanea sativa Mill.) in the northern Apennines. Next, we explored which climatic variables affected tree masting patterns and finally we tested the effect of both climate and seed biomass production on wild boar home range size. Results: Seed biomass production is partially regulated by climate; high precipitation in spring of the current year positively affects seed biomass production while summer precipitation of previous year has an opposite effect. Wild boar home range size is negatively correlated to seed biomass production, and the climate only partially contributes to determine wild boar spatial behaviour. Conclusion: Climate factors influence mast seeding, and the negative correlation between wild boar home range and mast seeding should be taken into account for designing integrated, proactive hunting management. © 2018, INRA and Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature.
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2018
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 75 (2)
DOI
An objective image analysis method for estimation of canopy attributes from digital cover photography
Alivernini , Alessandro , Fares , Silvano , Ferrara , Carlotta , Chianucci , Francesco
canopy cover leaf area index canopy photography foliage clumping gap size distribution
Mostra abstract
Key message: A method was proposed to remove the subjectivity of gap size analyses approaches implemented by default in cover photography. The method yielded robust and replicable measurements of forest canopy attributes. Abstract: Digital cover photography (DCP) is an increasingly popular method to estimate canopy attributes of forest canopies. Compared with other canopy photographic methods, DCP is fast, simple, and less sensitive to image acquisition and processing. However, the image processing steps used by default in DCP have a large substantial subjective component, particularly regarding the separation of canopy gaps into large gaps and small gaps. In this study, we proposed an objective procedure to analyse DCP based on the statistical distribution of gaps occurring in any image. The new method was tested in 11 deciduous forest stands in central Italy, with different tree composition, stand density, and structure, which is representative of the natural variation of these forest types. Results indicated that the new method removed the subjectivity of manual and semi-automated gap size classifications performed so far in cover photography. A comparison with direct LAI measurements demonstrated that the new method outperformed the previous approaches and increased the precision of LAI estimates. Results have important implications in forestry, because the simplicity of the method allowed objective, reliable, and highly reproducible estimates of canopy attributes, which are largely suitable in forest monitoring, where measures are routinely repeated. In addition, the use of a restricted field of view enables implementation of this photographic method in many devices, including smartphones, downward-looking cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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2018
Rivista
Trees - Structure and Function
Dettagli
Vol. 32 (3) pp. 713 - 723
DOI
Estimation of ground canopy cover in agricultural crops using downward-looking photography
Chianucci , Francesco , Lucibelli , Andrea , Dell'Abate , Maria Teresa
vegetation index cie l*a*b* fractional vegetation cover gap fraction green coordinates nadir photography
Mostra abstract
Fast and accurate estimates of canopy cover are central for a wide range of agricultural applications and studies. Visual assessment is a traditionally employed method to estimate canopy cover in the field, but it is limited by the costs, subjectivity and non-reproducibility of the produced estimates. Digital photography is a low-cost alternative method. In this study we tested two automated image classification methods, the first one based on a histogram-analysis method (Rosin), the second one based on a combination of a visible vegetation index and the L*a*b* colour space conversion (LAB2), which have both been previously tested in forestry, and a supervised image classification method (Winscanopy), to estimate canopy cover from downward-looking images of agricultural crops. These methods were tested using artificial images with known cover; this allowed exploring the influence of canopy density and object size on canopy cover estimation from photography. The Rosin method provided the best estimates of canopy cover in artificial images, whose accuracy was largely unaffected by variation in canopy density and object size. By contrast, LAB2 systematically overestimated canopy cover, because of the sensitivity of the method to small variations of chromaticity in artificial images. Winscanopy showed good performance when at least two regions per class were manually selected from a representative image. The results were replicated in real images of cultivated aromatic crops. The main findings indicate that digital photography is an effective method to obtain rapid, robust and reproducible measures of canopy cover in downward-looking images of agricultural crops, including aromatic plants. © 2018 IAgrE
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2018
Rivista
Biosystems Engineering
Dettagli
Vol. 169 pp. 209 - 216
DOI
Concept to practices of geospatial information tools to assist forest management & planning under precision forestry framework: A review
Fardusi , Most Jannatul , Chianucci , Francesco , Barbati , Anna
decision support systems forest planning information & communication technologies precision agriculture site-specific management
Mostra abstract
Precision forestry is a new direction for better forest management. Precision forestry employs information technology and analytical tools to support economic, environmental and sustainable decision; the use of geospatial information tools enables highly repeatable measurements, actions and processes to manage and harvest forest stands, simultaneously allowing information linkages between production and wood supply chain, including resource managers and environmental community. In this contribution, we reviewed the most recent advances in the use of geospatial information technologies in forestry, and discussed their potential opportunities and challenges towards forest management and planning in the framework of precision forestry.
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2017
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 41 (1) pp. 3 - 14
DOI
Relationships between overstory and understory structure and diversity in semi-natural mixed floodplain forests at Bosco Fontana (Italy)
Chianucci , Francesco , Minari , Emma , Fardusi , Most Jannatul , Merlini , Paolo , Cutini , Andrea , Corona , P. , Mason , Franco
functional diversity leaf area index hemispherical photography deciduous forests diversity measure
Mostra abstract
The "Bosco Fontana" natural reserve includes the last remaining mixed floodplain forest in northern Italy and one of the most endangered ecosystems in Europe. Its effective management is hindered by the complexity of interactions of mixed-tree species and the influence of environmental factors on understory plant diversity. In this study we analyzed the patterns of natural evolution in semi-natural floodplain forest stands at Bosco Fontana with the aim of better understanding its current natural processes and dynamics. Stand structure, taxonomic and functional diversity, species composition, and leaf area index (LAI) of overstory and understory layers were surveyed in permanent plots over two inventory years (1995, 2005). The influence of environmental factors on understory plant diversity was assessed using Ellenberg’s indices for light, soil moisture, soil nutrient and soil reaction. Results indicated that overstory species composition varies according to the soil moisture, with hornbeam prevailing in xeric sites and deciduous oak species in mesic sites. Xeric sites showed high functional dispersion in both drought and shade tolerant traits, while it was significantly lower in both overstory and understory in the moist site. Functional dispersion of drought tolerance in the overstory and understory layers was positively correlated, while species richness was negatively correlated between the two layers. Diversity in the understory was mainly correlated with soil conditions. Understory LAI was positively correlated with overstory LAI in xeric and mesic plots, while no correlations were found in the moist plot. Overall, our results suggest that site conditions (soil conditions and water availability) are the major drivers of understory and overstory dynamics in the study forest. Hence, local site conditions and the understory should be carefully considered in the management of mixed floodplain forests. © SISEF.
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2016
Rivista
IForest
Dettagli
Vol. 9 (6) pp. 919 - 926
DOI
Tree-oriented silviculture for valuable timber production in mixed Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) coppices in Italy
Giuliarelli , Diego , Mingarelli , Elena , Corona , P. , Pelleri , F. , Alivernini , Alessandro , Chianucci , Francesco
localized thinning mixed forests single-tree selection sporadic tree species valuable tree
Mostra abstract
Coppice management in Italy has traditionally focused on a single or few dominating tree species. Tree-oriented silviculture can represent an alternative management system to get high value timber production in mixed coppice forests. This study illustrates an application of the tree-oriented silvicultural approach in Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.) coppice forests. The rationale behind the proposed silvicultural approach is to combine traditional coppicing and localized, single-tree practices to favor sporadic trees with valuable timber production. At this purpose, a limited number of target trees are selected and favored by localized thinning. In this study, the effectiveness of the proposed tree-oriented approach was compared with the customary coppice management by a financial evaluation. Results showed that the tree-oriented approach is a reliable silvicultural alternative for supporting valuable timber production in mixed oak coppice forests.
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2016
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 40 (2) pp. 148 - 154
DOI
Estimation of canopy attributes in beech forests using true colour digital images from a small fixed-wing UAV
Chianucci , Francesco , Disperati , L. , Guzzi , Donatella , Bianchini , Daniele , Nardino , Vanni , Lastri , Cinzia , Rindinella , Andrea , Corona , P.
fagus sylvatica leaf area index drone hemispherical photography cover photography sensefly ebee
Mostra abstract
Accurate estimates of forest canopy are essential for the characterization of forest ecosystems. Remotely-sensed techniques provide a unique way to obtain estimates over spatially extensive areas, but their application is limited by the spectral and temporal resolution available from these systems, which is often not suited to meet regional or local objectives. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as remote sensing platforms has recently gained increasing attention, but their applications in forestry are still at an experimental stage. In this study we described a methodology to obtain rapid and reliable estimates of forest canopy from a small UAV equipped with a commercial RGB camera. The red, green and blue digital numbers were converted to the green leaf algorithm (GLA) and to the CIE L<sup>*</sup>a<sup>*</sup>b<sup>*</sup> colour space to obtain estimates of canopy cover, foliage clumping and leaf area index (L) from aerial images. Canopy attributes were compared with in situ estimates obtained from two digital canopy photographic techniques (cover and fisheye photography). The method was tested in beech forests. UAV images accurately quantified canopy cover even in very dense stand conditions, despite a tendency to not detecting small within-crown gaps in aerial images, leading to a measurement of a quantity much closer to crown cover estimated from in situ cover photography. Estimates of L from UAV images significantly agreed with that obtained from fisheye images, but the accuracy of UAV estimates is influenced by the appropriate assumption of leaf angle distribution. We concluded that true colour UAV images can be effectively used to obtain rapid, cheap and meaningful estimates of forest canopy attributes at medium-large scales. UAV can combine the advantage of high resolution imagery with quick turnaround series, being therefore suitable for routine forest stand monitoring and real-time applications. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
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2016
Rivista
International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Dettagli
Vol. 47 pp. 60 - 68
DOI
Long-term response to thinning in a beech (Fagussylvatica L.) coppice stand under conversion to high forest in central Italy
Chianucci , Francesco , Salvati , Luca , Giannini , Tessa , Chiavetta , U. , Corona , P. , Cutini , Andrea
leaf area index thinning canopy analyzer continuous cover forestry coppice management plant
Mostra abstract
European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests have a long history of coppicing, but the majority of formerly managed coppices are currently under conversion to high forest. The long time required to achieve conversion requires a long-term perspective to fully understand the implication of the applied conversion practices. In this study, we showed results from a long-term (1992–2014) casestudy comparing two management options (natural evolution and periodic thinning) in a beech coppice in conversion to high forest. Leaf area index, litter production, radiation transmittance and growth efficiency taken as relevant stand descriptors, were estimated using both direct and indirect optical methods. Overall, results indicated that beech coppice showed positive and prompt responses to active conversion practices based on periodic medium-heavy thinning. A growth efficiency index showed that tree growth increased as the cutting intensity increased. Results from the case study supported the effectiveness of active conversion management from an economic (timber harvesting) and ecological (higher growth efficiency) point of view. © 2016, Finnish Society of Forest Science. All rights reserved.
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2016
Rivista
Silva Fennica
Dettagli
Vol. 50 (3)
DOI
A note on estimating canopy cover from digital cover and hemispherical photography
Chianucci , Francesco
forest canopy crown cover foliage cover cover photography fisheye photography
Mostra abstract
Fast and accurate estimates of canopy cover are central for a wide range of forestry studies. As direct measurements are impractical, indirect optical methods have often been used in forestry to estimate canopy cover. In this paper the accuracy of canopy cover estimates from two widely used canopy photographic methods, hemispherical photography (DHP) and cover photography (DCP) was evaluated. Canopy cover was approximated in DHP as the complement of gap fraction data at narrow viewing zenith angle range (0°–15°), which was comparable with that of DCP. The methodology was tested using artificial images with known canopy cover; this allowed exploring the influence of actual canopy cover and mean gap size on canopy cover estimation from photography. DCP provided robust estimates of canopy cover, whose accuracy was not influenced by variation in actual canopy cover and mean gap size, based on comparison with artificial images; by contrast, the accuracy of cover estimates from DHP was influenced by both actual canopy cover and mean gap size, because of the lower ability of DHP to detect small gaps within crown. The results were replicated in both DHP and DCP images collected in real forest canopies. Finally, the influence of canopy cover on foliage clumping index and leaf area index was evaluated using a theoretical gap fraction model. The main findings indicate that DCP can overcome the limits of indirect techniques for obtaining unbiased and precise estimates of canopy cover, which are comparable to those obtainable from direct, more labour-intensive techniques, being therefore highly suitable for routine monitoring and inventory purposes. © 2016, Silva Fennica. All rights reserved.
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2016
Rivista
Silva Fennica
Dettagli
Vol. 50 (1)
DOI
A Multidimensional Statistical Framework to Explore Seasonal Profile, Severity and Land-Use Preferences of Wildfires in a Mediterranean Country
Salvati , Luca , Ferrara , Agostino Maria Silvio , Mancino , Giuseppe , Kelly , Claire L. , Chianucci , Francesco , Corona , P.
fire frequency fire severity fire-smart management greece land-use types
Mostra abstract
This study analyses spatio-temporal patterns of wildfires in Greece using a multidimensional statistical framework based on non-parametric correlations, principal component analysis, clustering and stepwise discriminant analysis. Specifically, we assess the frequency, seasonal profile, severity and land-use type of 135 178 wildfires which occurred between 2000-2012 in Greece, one of the countries most affected by fire in Europe. Our results show that both the number of fires and the average size of the area covered by fire show a specific seasonal pattern with a marked increase during the dry season. Principal component analysis identifies three dimensions linked with the main type of land-use affected by the fires: (i) medium and large fires primarily affected landscapes composed of forests, mixed woodlands/shrublands and croplands; (ii) small fires mainly affected fragmented landscapes, i.e. those with mosaics of different crops, market gardens and non-vegetated, abandoned or marginal areas; (iii) fires affecting wetlands and pastures occurred particularly in late summer and showing medium-low severity. Hierarchical clustering highlights similarities in spatio-temporal patterns between fire indicators (ignition date, burnt land cover classes, fire size, fire density). K-means clustering allows us to distinguish between low-severity fires occurring in the wet season from intense and frequent fires occurring in the dry season but with distinct land-use selectivity. The research reported here contributes insight into the complexity of wild fires in the Mediterranean region and supports the design of more effective fire prevention measures including sustainable forest management practices and careful regional planning to minimise risk factors.
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2015
Rivista
International Forestry Review
Dettagli
Vol. 17 (4) pp. 485 - 497
DOI
Is anticipated seed cutting an effective option to accelerate transition to high forest in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) coppice stands?
Cutini , Andrea , Chianucci , Francesco , Giannini , Tessa , Manetti , Maria Chiara , Salvati , Luca
leaf area index thinning coppice management conversion litter fall understory
Mostra abstract
Key message: Traditional coppice conversion to high forest through periodic thinning requires a long period to attain the regeneration stage. We showed that anticipating seed cutting can accelerate the progression of the stands towards more adult stand conditions, compared with traditional management. The application of different active management options in the same landscape can contribute to increase landscape diversity. Context: In southern European beech forests, coppice is a widespread management system, especially due to the past uses. The existence of large areas either abandoned or under protracted transitory stage raises questions concerning environmental and economic revenues related to the different management options. Aims: We evaluated the effectiveness of anticipating seed cutting in beech coppices to accelerate the coppice transition to high forest, compared with traditional management (periodic thinning) and natural evolution pattern (unthinned control). Methods: We used an exploratory analysis of ecological variables related to structure, dynamics, and productivity of the stands (growth efficiency, leaf area index, litter production, transmittance, and canopy heterogeneity), which were monitored during 10 years in beech coppices in Central Italy. Results: Anticipating seed cutting produced stronger modification in canopy structure, improving growth efficiency as a result of higher resource availability, supporting higher seed production which accelerated the progression of the stand towards more adult stand conditions, compared with traditional management and unthinned control. Conclusion: The application of different active management options can increase landscape heterogeneity under the conditions in which increasing landscape diversity represents a priority management issue, while simultaneously allowing environmental and economic revenues. © 2015, INRA and Springer-Verlag France.
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2015
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 72 (5) pp. 631 - 640
DOI
Estimation of foliage clumping from the LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer: effect of view caps
Chianucci , Francesco , MacFarlane , Craig K. , Písek , Jan , Cutini , Andrea , Casa , Raffaele
leaf area index hemispherical photography apparent clumping index effective leaf area logarithm averaging
Mostra abstract
Key message: Foliage clumping can be estimated from logarithm averaging method in LAI-2000. The spatial scaling of clumping effects considered by the instrument is dependent on the sensor’s azimuthal view. Accurate estimates of foliage clumping index (Ω) are required to improve the retrieval of leaf area index (L) from optical instruments like LAI-2000/2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer (PCA) and digital hemispherical photography (DHP). The logarithm averaging method is often used to approximate L because clumping effects are considered at scales larger than the sensor’s field of view. However, the spatial scaling considered for logarithm averaging typically differs between PCA and DHP, resulting in different estimates of foliage clumping. Based on simulation, we demonstrated that applying restricting azimuth view caps (e.g., 45° or 10°) allows reliable estimation of Ω and more accurate estimation of L from PCA. Simulated Ω and L values were comparable to those measured using the PCA, DHP and litter traps. Linear averaging of the gap fractions across readings at a plot or site yields a concurrent estimate of effective leaf area index (L<inf>e</inf>), thus enabling the calculation of L<inf>e</inf>, L, and Ω from a single instrument fitted with view caps. Users need to be aware that the method they use for averaging gap fractions determines whether they are measuring L<inf>e</inf> or L, and PCA users need to be aware that they are applying increasingly large corrections for foliage clumping as they use more restrictive view caps, a fact that they can use to their advantage to improve estimates of L. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
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2015
Rivista
Trees - Structure and Function
Dettagli
Vol. 29 (2) pp. 355 - 366
DOI
Structural attributes of stand overstory and light under the canopy
Angelini , Alice , Corona , P. , Chianucci , Francesco , Portoghesi , Luigi
forest management overstory stand structural attributes understory light
Mostra abstract
This paper reviews the literature relating to the relationship between light availability in the understory and the main qualitative and quantitative attributes of stand overstory usually considered in forest management and planning (species composition, density, tree sizes, etc.) as well as their changes as consequences of harvesting. The paper is divided in two sections: the first one reviews studies which investigated the influence of species composition on understory light conditions; the second part examines research on the relationships among stand parameters determined from mensurational field data and the radiation on understory layer. The objective was to highlight which are the most significant stand traits and management features to build more practical models for predicting light regimes in any forest stand and, in more general terms, to support forest managers in planning and designing silvicultural treatments that retain structure in different way in order to meet different objectives.
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2015
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 39 (1) pp. 23 - 31
DOI
Early and long-term impacts of browsing by roe deer in oak coppiced woods along a gradient of population density
Chianucci , Francesco , Mattioli , Luca , Amorini , Emilio , Giannini , Tessa , Marcon , Andrea , Chirichella , Roberta , Apollonio , Marco , Cutini , Andrea
capreolus capreolus coppice forest forest damage stool turkey oak
Mostra abstract
Over the last few decades, wild ungulate populations have exhibited relevant geographic and demographic expansion in most European countries; roe deer is amongst the most widespread ungulate species. The increasing roe deer densities have led to strong impact on forest regeneration; the problem has been recently recognized in coppice woods, a silvicultural system which is widespread in Italy, where it amounts to about 56% of the total national forested area. In this study we investigated the effect of roe deer browsing on the vegetative regeneration of Turkey oak few years after coppicing, along a gradient of roe deer density. A browsing index revealed that browsing impact was high at any given roe deer density but increased at higher density, with the browsing rate ranging from 65% to 79%. We also analyzed the long-term impact of browsing six and eleven years after coppicing under a medium roe deer density. Results indicated the early impact are not ephemeral but produced prolonged impacts through time, with an average reduction in volume of-57% and-41% six and eleven years after coppicing, respectively. Based on these results we proposed integrating browsing monitoring with roe deer density estimation to allow identifying ungulate densities which are compatible with silvicultural and forest management objectives. The proposed browsing index can be regarded as an effective management tool, on account of its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, being therefore highly suitable for routine, large scale monitoring of browsing impact.
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2015
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 39 (1) pp. 32 - 36
DOI
Reproductive phenology and conception synchrony in a natural wild boar population
Canu , Antonio , Scandura , Massimo , Merli , Enrico , Chirichella , Roberta , Bottero , Elisa , Chianucci , Francesco , Cutini , Andrea , Apollonio , Marco
reproduction breeding synchrony conception date estrus reproductive phenology sus scrofa
Mostra abstract
Reproductive synchrony among gregarious mammals has a strong adaptive value and may lead to cooperative behaviors aimed at maximizing offspring survival. Additionally, temporal clustering of estrus has important implications on individual mating tactics and ultimately affects the degree of polygamy in a population. Although several studies have examined the reproductive biology of wild boar (Sus scrofa), much remains to be understood about the patterns of timing and synchrony of reproduction in natural populations. We analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of conception dates in an Italian wild boar population taking into account the effects of environmental and individual factors, in order to determine the main variables influencing the timing of reproduction and to detect the signs of a socially-driven reproductive synchrony. Specifically, for each litter belonging to 354 pregnant sows culled between 2006 and 2013 in a mountain area of Tuscany, we determined the conception date (CD) from an estimate of the mean fetal age and the culling date. We then investigated which factors drove the variation in CD, by implementing linear mixed models, Mantel tests and spatial autocorrelation analyses. The selected model showed significant effects of rainfall, temperatures, and previous and current productivity on CD, as well as a strong correlation of CDs among sows culled in close spatial and temporal proximity (i.e., in the same hunting ground and hunting season). Likewise, autocorrelation analyses and Mantel tests consistently indicated that closer sows had similar conception dates. Overall, our results confirm the effect of resource availability and climate on wild boar reproductive phenology, and suggest socially-driven reproductive patterns, in spite of a high turn-over in social groups due to hunting. Finally, possible advantages and evolutionary implications of reproductive synchrony in wild boar are discussed. © 2015 Associazione Teriologica Italiana.
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2015
Rivista
Hystrix
Dettagli
Vol. 26 (2)
DOI
The estimation of canopy attributes from digital cover photography by two different image analysis methods
Chianucci , Francesco , Chiavetta , U. , Cutini , Andrea
canopy cover digital cover photography leaf area index gap fraction dense canopy
Mostra abstract
Proximal sensing methods using digital photography have gained wide acceptance for describing and quantifying canopy properties. Digital hemispherical photography (DHP) is the most widely used photographic technique for canopy description. However, the main drawbacks of DHP have been the tedious and time-consuming image processing required and the sensitivity of the results to the image analysis methods. Recently, an alternative approach using vertical photography has been proposed, namely, digital cover photography (DCP). The method captures detailed vertical canopy gaps and performs canopy analysis by dividing gap fractions into large between-crown gaps and small withincrown gaps. Although DCP is a rapid, simple and readily available method, the processing steps involved in gap fraction analysis have a large subjective component by default. In this contribution, we propose an alternative simple, more objective and easily implemented procedure to perform gap fraction analysis of DCP images. We compared the performance of the two image analysis methods in dense deciduous forests. Leaf area index (LAI) estimates from the two image analysis methods were compared with reference LAI measurements obtained through the use of litter traps to measure leaf fall. Both methods provided accurate estimates of the total gap fraction and, thus, accurate estimates of the LAI. The new proposed procedure is recommended for dense canopies because the subjective classification of large gaps is most error-prone in stands with dense canopy cover. © SISEF.
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2014
Rivista
IForest
Dettagli
Vol. 7 (4) pp. 255 - 259
DOI
Allometric relationships for volume and biomass for stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) in Italian coastal stands
Cutini , Andrea , Chianucci , Francesco , Manetti , Maria Chiara
aboveground biomass allometric equations belowground biomass biomass expansion factor carbon stocks
Mostra abstract
Tree biomass plays a key role in sustainable forest management and in determining forest carbon stocks. Accurate estimates based on species-specific empirical data are necessary for regional and national inventories and forest carbon management. In this study, we obtained allometric relationships for volume and aboveground biomass for stone pine (Pinus pinea) based on empirical data collected in four coastal stands in Italy. Root sampling was also performed. The results enabled generalized equations for volume and aboveground biomass to be developed. However, an analysis also showed several differences in biomass allocation in stone pine resulting from different stand characteristics, emphasizing the importance of stand-dependent factors for adjusting regional or national biomass calculations. Biomass expansion factors were also provided. This study provides tools to help forest managers in quantifying volume and biomass, thereby contributing to the accurate estimation of carbon sequestration and stocks in stone pine stands in Italy. © SISEF.
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2013
Rivista
IForest
Dettagli
Vol. 6 (6) pp. 331 - 335
DOI
Mast seeding in deciduous forests of the northern Apennines (Italy) and its influence on wild boar population dynamics
Cutini , Andrea , Chianucci , Francesco , Chirichella , Roberta , Donaggio , Emanuela , Mattioli , Luca , Apollonio , Marco
forest management forest seed production game management pulsed resource silvicultural treatment sus scrofa l.
Mostra abstract
Context: Pulsed food resources may strongly affect the population dynamics of several consumer species, with consequences on the ecosystem. One of the most common pulsed resources is forest mast seeding. Aims: We analysed mast seeding in deciduous forests in a mountainous area of northern Apennines and its effect on population dynamics of wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). Methods: We performed a quantitative, 20-year analysis on annual seed production in Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forest stands using litter traps. The wild boar population density was estimated by means of drive censuses and hunting bag records. The role of other biotic (density of predators) and abiotic (climate) factors potentially affecting wild boar mortality was also investigated. Results: Turkey oak and chestnut showed high levels of seed production, whereas lower levels were found in beech. The pulsed resources of chestnut and Turkey oak positively affected piglet density. Analyses also highlighted the influence of snow cover and wolves on wild boar population dynamics. Conclusion: Wild boar can be considered a pulse rate species, the management of which can be improved by annual monitoring of seed production. © 2013 INRA and Springer-Verlag France.
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2013
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 70 (5) pp. 493 - 502
DOI
Estimation of canopy properties in deciduous forests with digital hemispherical and cover photography
Chianucci , Francesco , Cutini , Andrea
leaf area index cover photography digital hemispherical photography clumping light extinction coefficient
Mostra abstract
Rapid, reliable and meaningful estimates of forest canopy are essential to the characterization of forest ecosystems. In this paper the accuracy of digital hemispherical (DHP) and cover (DCP) photography for the estimation of canopy properties in deciduous forests was evaluated. Leaf area index (LAI) estimated from both these photographic methods and from light transmittance data derived from DHP were compared with direct measurements obtained by litter traps (LAI<inf>LT</inf>) and an AccuPAR ceptometer. Also, comparison with different gap fraction methods used to calculate LAI in DHP and LAI-2000 PCA were performed.We applied these methods in four forest stands of Quercus cerris, two stands of Castanea sativa and four stands of Fagus sylvatica, the most common deciduous species in Italy, where LAI<inf>LT</inf> ranged from 3.9 to 7.3. Both photographic methods provided good indirect estimates of LAI<inf>LT</inf>. The DCP method provided estimates of crown porosity, crown cover, foliage cover and the clumping index at the zenith, but required assumptions about the light extinction coefficient at the zenith (k), to accurately estimate LAI. Cover photography provided good indirect estimates of LAI assuming a spherical leaf angle distribution, even though k appeared to decrease as LAI increased, thus affecting the accuracy of LAI estimates in DCP. In contrast, the accuracy of LAI estimates in DHP appeared insensitive to LAI<inf>LT</inf> values, but the method was sensitive to photographic exposure and more time-consuming than DCP.The studied stands were characterized by higher within-crown clumping than between-crowns clumping; only the segmented analysis of gap fraction for each ring of the fisheye images was found to provide reliable and useful clumping index in DHP. The 1-azimuth segment method employed in PCA poorly detected clumping in dense canopies.The correlation between transmittance estimates by DHP with values measured at noon with the AccuPAR ceptometer was linear and significant, although the variability observed in reference measures suggested that results obtained with the ceptometer should be treated with caution.We conclude both photographic methods are suitable for dense deciduous forests. Cover photography holds great promise as a means to quickly obtain inexpensive estimates of LAI over large areas. However, in situations where no direct reference measurements of . k are available, we recommend using both DHP and DCP, in order to cross-calibrate the two methods; DCP could then be used for more routinely indirect measurement and monitoring of LAI. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
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2013
Rivista
Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
Dettagli
Vol. 168 pp. 130 - 139
DOI
Stand structure and ecological changes in holm oak coppices 25 years later the opening of thinning operations for the conversion into high forest; Cambiamenti strutturali ed ecologici in cedui di leccio in Sardegna a 25 anni dal taglio di avviamento ad altofusto
Manetti , Maria Chiara , Giannini , Tessa , Chianucci , Francesco , Casula , Antonio , Cutini , Andrea
canopy cover stand structure conversion into high forest holm oak monitoring stand dynamics
Mostra abstract
Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) is one of the most diffuse and economically important forest species in Sardinia, where it holds about 40% of holm oak cover in Italy. The forest type has also acquired a high ecological, recreational and landscape value over the last decades. Most of holm oak stands originated from overgrown coppice forests partly undergoing conversion into high forest. This study was set up in 1994 to analyse, as a function of site-index, the effects of conversion thinning on productivity, biodiversity, structural dynamics and canopy characteristics in an holm oak forest located in southern Sardinia. Two experimental permanent plots, differing in site index, stand structure and tree density, were established. The surveys were carried out in 1994-95 and 2010-11. The analysis included growth pattern, dynamics of stand structure and estimation of forest canopy attributes as leaf area index and canopy transmittance. Results pointed out the simplified stand structure, the poor biodiversity, the low LAI and high transmittance values 9 years after thinning implementation. These characteristics were more pronounced in the less productive area, characterised by substantial canopy gaps. 25 years after thinning implementation, both stands showed significant increase in the number of trees, strengthening of the clustered structure and high canopy recovery. Conversely, no significant changes in biodiversity and vertical structure were observed. Overall results contributed to a positive evaluation of the conversion practice based on periodical thinnings, even if the excessive reduction of tree density, mainly in the lower site-index area, did not allow yet the fully achievement of canopy recovery.
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2013
Rivista
Annals of Silvicultural Research
Dettagli
Vol. 37 (1) pp. 22 - 28
DOI
Digital hemispherical photography for estimating forest canopy properties: Current controversies and opportunities
Chianucci , Francesco , Cutini , Andrea
leaf area index digital hemispherical photography foliage clumping fisheye lens radiative transfer
Mostra abstract
Hemispherical photography has been used since the 1960s in forest ecology. Nevertheless, specific constraints related to film cameras have progressively prevented widespread adoption of this photographic method. Advances in digital photographic technology hold great promise to overcome the major drawbacks of hemispherical photography, particularly regarding field techniques and image processing aspects. This contribution is aimed to: (i) provide a basic foreground of digital hemispherical photography; (ii) illustrate the major strengths and weakness of the method; (iii) provide an reliable protocol for image acquisition and analysis, to get the most out of using hemispherical photography for canopy properties extraction. © SISEF.
🔗 Vai alla pubblicazione
2012
Rivista
IForest
Dettagli
Vol. 5 (6) pp. 290 - 295
DOI
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) browsing effects and use of chestnut and Turkey oak coppiced areas
Cutini , Andrea , Bongi , Paolo , Chianucci , Francesco , Pagon , Nives , Grignolio , Stefano , Amorini , Emilio , Apollonio , Marco
castanea sativa coppice deer forest damages quercus cerris
Mostra abstract
Introduction: Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) browsing pressure on vegetative regeneration of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) and chestnut (Castanea sativa) and roe deer use of coppiced areas were investigated. Methods: In the Apennines, Central Italy, six experimental areas were chosen, where fenced (ungulate access excluded, protected P) and non-fenced (ungulate influence present, non-protected NP) plots were established after coppicing. From 2002 to 2005, each plot was surveyed twice a year, and number, biomass, collar diameter, and total height of the sprouts were measured. Results:Roe deer had a different effect on the re-growth of Turkey oak and chestnut sprouts. After 4 years, chestnut did not show any browsing-related damage, while in Turkey oak, biomass and height of the sprouts in fenced plots significantly differed from those in non-fenced plots. The results agreed with an experimental browsing index. The outcome is relevant because it represents a quick and reliable field tool to assess the impact on a larger scale, where analytic and quantitative approaches cannot be applied. The locations of 62 adult radiocollared roe deer confirmed an increase in the use of coppiced areas. A utilisation index showed more frequent use of these areas during and after forest work. Contrary to common opinion, logging seemed to attract roe deer in coppiced areas as the vegetation biomass at their disposal increased. © INRA and Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.
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2011
Rivista
Annals of Forest Science
Dettagli
Vol. 68 (4) pp. 667 - 674
DOI