Presentazione orale
Riassunto: We investigated the relationship between time-since-death and chemical characteristics of Abies alba Mill. and Fagus sylvatica L. stumps in two forest stands in the Central Apennines (Italy). Considering that the year of death of each dead tree in the experimental sites was investigated in previous studies, we aimed at describing the decomposition processes in silver fir and beech forests of montane Mediterranean ecosystems. The specific objectives of this study were (I) to assess changes in chemical variables (cellulose and lignin content, C and N content and C/N ratio) in dead wood during decomposition in relation to the year since death of trees and (II) to understand if radiocarbon analyses could help to date tree death through dendrochronological techniques and to evaluate the 14C release after tree death. First results on beech Mediterranean forests show how C/N ratios decreased along decades due to an increase of N. On the contrary, the C concentration in stumps remained substantially constant throughout the years. Moreover, lignin content remained stable while cellulose content decreased. These results help to improve our understanding of terrestrial nutrient cycles and to clarify the role of forest ecosystems, and particularly of dead wood, on carbon sequestration.
Citazione: Lombardi F, Cherubini P, Hajdas I, Lasserre B, Tognetti R, Marchetti M (2009). Dead wood decay progression in beech and silver fir forests in the central Apennines (Italy). In: VII Congresso Nazionale SISEF “Sviluppo e adattamento, naturalità e conservazione: opportunità per un sistema forestale in transizione“ (Università degli Studi del Molise, Isernia - Pesche (IS), 29 Settembre - 3 Ottobre 2009), Abstract-book, Contributo #c07.5.11. - [online] URL: https://congressi.sisef.org/?action=paper&id=1244