Biomass, litterfall and productivity in chestnut coppices of various age at Monte Amiata (Central Italy)

Abstract

The effects of longer rotation periods and thinning practice on bio-ecological processes and indexes such as biomass, litterfall, leaf area index (LAI) and productivity have been analysed in thinned and unthinned permanent plots in a chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) coppices under traditional system (11 yrs.) and under long rotation (35 yrs.). Plots were established in a large chestnut vegetation area (Monte Amiata -Tuscany) in order to evaluate the sustainability of management options alternative to the traditional intensive exploitation. Both traditional and long rotation coppices showed high productivity (aboveground biomass 108.4 Mg ha'1 and 239.5 Mg ha'1 respectively), high LAI (6.5 nr m"2 and 5.1 m2 m'2) and annual litterfall values (6.28 Mg ha'1 and 5.60 Mg ha'1). The applied thinning (one third of basal area removal) affected stocking, stand growth and efficiency. Chestnut coppices, namely those under traditional rotation, showed however a good aptitude to re-build an homogeneous canopy cover a few years after thinning occurrence. Results concur to positively evaluate, not only from an economic point of view but also from a bio-ecological one, the adoption of management systems based upon long rotation period and on a less intensive exploitation of chestnut coppice.