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Detecting the imprints of past clear-cutting on riparian forest plant communities along a Mediterranean river
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  • Claudia Angiolini,
  • Leopoldo de Simone,
  • Tiberio Fiaschi,
  • Giuseppe Pio Cifaldi,
  • Simona Maccherini,
  • Emanuele Fanfarillo
Claudia Angiolini
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita
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Leopoldo de Simone
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Tiberio Fiaschi
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita
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Giuseppe Pio Cifaldi
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita
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Simona Maccherini
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita
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Emanuele Fanfarillo
Universita degli Studi di Siena Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita
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Abstract

In riparian forests, clear-cutting causes long-lasting changes in both riparian and aquatic biota. In this work, we examined if past clear-cutting events occurred at different times have imprints on riparian forests in a Mediterranean river in central Italy. We carried out a randomized, plot-based vegetation survey of riparian forests in systematically sampled 500 m-long sectors along the whole river, dividing the riparian zone into two internal and two external strips. From historical aerial photos, past clear-cutting events within plots were detected and classified in age classes: i) cut in the past 8 years (recent); ii) cut between 8 and 19 years ago (intermediate); iii) no signs of clear-cutting in the last 19 years (distant). We analyzed the responses of vegetation to clear-cutting and strip position. Alien species richness increased and woody species richness decreased in recently clear-cut areas compared to those with a distant clear-cutting event. Moreover, recently cut woods showed an increase in alien and synanthropic species. Intermediate clear-cut areas had higher levels of invasion by alien species compared to areas with distant cut. Riparian forests of internal strips are impacted by clear-cutting, but seem to recover in 8-19 years thanks to their natural resilience. Conversely, recent or intermediate clear-cutting events did not affect any of the investigated vegetation attributes in the external strips since such forests were already invaded by Robinia pseudoacacia after human disturbance. Our results confirm that clear-cutting events can have long-lasting effects on Mediterranean riparian forests, confirming the vulnerability of river ecosystems to clear-cutting and suggesting the need for more caution in management practices to improve the conservation status of riparian forests.
27 Dec 2022Submitted to River Research and Applications
28 Dec 2022Submission Checks Completed
28 Dec 2022Assigned to Editor
29 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
07 Mar 20231st Revision Received
22 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
22 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
22 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
29 Apr 20232nd Revision Received
29 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
29 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
29 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 May 2023Editorial Decision: Accept