Valutazione dell'impatto antropico sulla comunità di microartropodi del suolo in alcune aree forestali dell'Italia centrale
Author(s)
Blasi, Silvia
Date Issued
February 23, 2010
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess soil quality in various Mediterranean forests in Central
Italy, from evergreen to deciduous, with different types of management (e.g. coppice vs high forest) and compaction impacts (e.g. machinery vs recreational). Soil quality was analyzed through a biological index, the QBS-ar, based on the concept that the higher the soil quality, the higher will be the number of microarthropod groups well adapted to the soil habitat. Our results confirm that hardwood soils are characterized by the highest biodiversity level among terrestrial communities and by a well structured and mature microarthropod community, typical of stable ecosystems. At the same time this study reveals no significant differences of the QBS-ar index values between several
compositional/structural/management stages of deciduous hardwood forest in Central Italy. In the area under study the index does not appear to be affected by seasonality (e.g. summer drought ). While silvicultural practices and forest composition seem to not influence QBS-ar values or microarthropod community structure, the index seems to be very efficient in detecting impacts of soil compaction. Several taxonomical groups (protura, diplura, coleoptera adults, pauropoda, symphyla, chilopoda, diptera larvae and opiliones) react similarly to soil compaction. In particular, protura, symphyla and pauropoda, , are taxonomic groups typical of stable environments linked to undisturbed soil. The QBS-ar is an efficient index for evaluating the impacts of forest utilization (e. g. vehicle use) on soil and a potentially useful tool in determining the sustainable use of natural resources. This index can be used for monitoring soils in recreational areas, in urban forestry and, for planning effective management systems in protected areas as well as for monitoring the effects of forest restoration.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Scienze e tecnologie per la gestione forestale e ambientale
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