Abstract
For a long time, human impact has deeply simplified most of the forest ecosystems of the Mediterranean Basin. Here, forests have seldom had the chance to naturally develop a complex and multilayered structure, to host large and old trees and rich biological communities, approaching old-growth conditions. Also for this reason, limited information is currently available about Mediterranean old-growth forests, particularly with regard to deadwood. The main aim of this work is to help fill this critical knowledge gap. In Sicily (Italy), we identified a Quercus pubescens forest that seemed to show some typical old-growth features. Total living volume (360 m3 ha−1) and basal area (34 m2 ha−1) were, respectively, about 6 and 3 times higher than the averages recorded in the regional forest inventory for this forest type. Deadwood was particularly abundant, exceeding the threshold of 30 m3 ha−1, mainly represented by lying dead elements. Dead to live wood ratio reached 9%, a value close to the threshold of 10% considered for Mediterranean old-growth forests. As the investigated forest showed some typical old-growth traits, it deserves to be fully protected and could be a permanent monitoring area for studying deadwood and stand dynamics in mature Mediterranean stands.
Highlights
Interest in and attention to old-growth forests have grown considerably in Europe in recent decades [1]
Of the total European forest area, excluding the Russian Federation [2], old-growth forests show a physiognomy still affected by former anthropogenic management [3]
More than 50% of total volume and basal area was among 40 and 55 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) classes (Figure 4)
Summary
Interest in and attention to old-growth forests have grown considerably in Europe in recent decades [1]. Of the total European forest area, excluding the Russian Federation [2], old-growth forests show a physiognomy still affected by former anthropogenic management [3]. Natural development may allow the establishment of structurally complex, biologically rich, resilient, and stable forest stands, while in other cases, some form of forest management seems to be required to facilitate the achievement of such conditions [5]. This is the case of Mediterranean forests. It should be kept in mind that not all old-growth forests are species rich and complex, as monospecific forest stands with only one dominant tree layer may originate old-growth stands
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