Majella Massif Research Articles

Biogenicity and Characterization of Moonmilk in the Grotta Nera (Majella National Park, Abruzzi, Central Italy)

Observations and hypotheses on the possible influence of unidentified calcifying bacteria on moonmilk speleothem formation in the Grotta Nera are reported for the first time. The Majella Massif hosts a complex karst system of several caves; the accessible Grotta Nera is the most interesting one. Despite its name, the cave is characterized by particularly abundant ivory-white deposits of moonmilk. Two samples of moonmilk were analyzed to determine the geochemistry, fabric, depositional setting, and extent of biogenicity. For this, we combined geochemical, scanning electron microscopic, microbiological, and in vitro precipitation studies. X-ray diffraction of the moonmilk deposits gave clear evidence for the presence of calcite. Scanning electron microscopy showed that moonmilk in the Grotta Nera consists of a network of calcite fibers oriented in all directions, resembling a felted mat. The cultivation on specific medium of moonmilk and drip-water samples showed the presence of fungi, actinomycetes, and other bacteria, but the dominant cultivable microorganisms were bacteria, which produced significant crystallization. Examination of Gram-stained smears taken from the fifteen different colony types showed that the majority (66.7%) of the bacterial isolates were Gram-negative. Single small rods and rod chains were the most common bacteria isolated from the Grotta Nera. None of the molds isolated from the Grotta Nera samples were able to precipitate CaCO3 crystals, suggesting a major bacterial contribution to moonmilk deposition in the cave. Bacteria were capable of precipitating CaCO3 on B-4 solid medium at 15 (cave temperature), 22, and 32 uC. The calcifying bacteria isolated from the Grotta Nera showed a greater capability to solubilize CaCO3 than those associated with consolidated stalactites sampled from previously studied caves. The electron microscopy and microbiological evidences, together with the geochemistry and environmental data, allowed us to postulate the biogenic nature of the moonmilk in the Grotta Nera Cave.

Warming‐related growth responses at the southern limit distribution of mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo)

AbstractQuestionsCould mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo) located above the timberline and at the southern limit of its potential geographic distribution be a promising species to monitor climatic change in specific environments such as the Mediterranean mountains? Does mountain pine krummholz upward expansion result from current climate change? Has the relationship between climate and tree ring growth of mountain pine changed? To what extent does climatic variability affect tree ring growth? Could mountain pine upward expansion contribute to loss of biodiversity in the undisturbed tree line ecotone on the Majella massif?LocationMajella National Park, Apennines, Italy.MethodsDendroclimatological analysis was performed to examine the relationship between tree rings of mountain pine and climatic parameters at the tree line. Climate–growth relationships were analysed using correlation function (CF) analysis and moving CF (MCF).ResultsIn the Majella massif, climate variables affected mountain pine tree growth at the tree line ecotone. Significant correlations were found with spring temperatures and summer precipitation. Essentially, three months played a key role in mountain pine growth: April and May of the current year and October of the previous year. MCF showed that mountain pine is a sensitive species, in terms of tree ring growth.ConclusionsGrowing above the limit of tree vegetation, mountain pine proved to be a promising species for monitoring climate‐ and land use‐driven influences over tree ring growth at high elevations. Our results show that mountain pine is particularly sensitive to climate at the beginning and at the end of the growing season.

Is land abandonment affecting forest dynamics at high elevation in Mediterranean mountains more than climate change?

Global change is leaving a fingerprint on the appearance, structure and productivity of the treeline ecotone, modifying patterns of mountain ecosystems. In order to implement correct policies for managing natural resources, we examine how climate change interrelated with land-use abandonment could shape mountain forests at their upper limit in a Mediterranean environment, and how patterns of tree growth and periods of tree establishment guide the interpretation of global change effects on treeline dynamics. We reconstructed the population dynamics of mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra spp. mugo) in the subalpine belt of the Majella National Park (Italy). In a test area of 14,440 ha, proposed as a pilot study site for long-term ecological monitoring, temporal and spatial mountain pine distribution were examined since 1954 by historical aerial ortophotos. Multitemporal maps documented the expansion upwards (1 m/year) and downwards (3 m/year) of mountain pine. Mountain pine started to expand upwards into the formerly tree-free grassland in early 1900s, in association with a decline of the local human population and livestock. Land-use change was the major driving force of vegetation dynamics at the treeline in the Majella massif.

Fine resolution distribution modelling of endemics in Majella National Park, Central Italy

Majella National Park in central Italy is known to be an endemic-rich area, but distributions of its endemics have not been comprehensively studied. Endemics with 10 or more records and spatial uncertainties at <5 km were extracted from the Central-Apennine floristic geodatabase and the MNP Seed Index. Nine environmental predictor layers were prepared at 90 and 30 m resolution. A stepwise Maximum Entropy (Maxent) model was generated per endemic to achieve the most parsimonious result at an area under the curve > 0.8. Arctic-alpine elevation, edaphic barrens and low open-vegetation, individually or in pairs, were found to be predictive for endemics. Forty-eight endemics, 10 of which exclusive, were recorded and Maxent-predicted for the Majella massif. Subsets of 38 endemics were recorded on other mountains in proportion to their arctic-alpine area, thus conforming to the Island Theory. Maxent confirmed its strengths also at fine resolutions and, in addition, showed to be robust across predictor layers at both resolutions. A linear species-area relationship appeared superior to the Maxent model in predicting the number of endemics per arctic-alpine “island”. Our findings suggest the need for a proactive management of the botanical biodiversity contained in the alpine and montane barrens and low-open vegetation.

Soil formation in kettle holes from high altitudes in central Apennines, Italy

Kettle holes are relatively common features of glaciated landscapes and have been widely reported in the literature. The work reported here documents the presence of kettle holes at high altitude and low latitude in the Central Apennines (Italy) and describes the geomorphic and pedogenic processes that originated the soils infilling these depressions. The areas selected for this study were located on three of the main massifs of the Central Apennines (Italy): Gran Sasso, Majella, and Sibillini. The kettle holes on these massifs formed at the end of the Würm glaciation, appear smaller and shallower than those reported from elsewhere in the northern hemisphere, are roughly circular in form and do not contain bogs or lakes. In each area the dimensions of 40 kettle holes were measured and three kettle holes were excavated to examine the soils developed inside them. The size of the kettle holes was highest in the Sibillini massif, where the glaciers reached altitudes as low as 1700m in the very narrow, low-lying valleys. It is hypothesised that at lower elevations the glacier receded more rapidly generating larger blocks of ice and consequently larger kettle holes. Once formed, the kettle hole depressions were very effective as sediment traps and acted as sink for materials washed in from the surrounding slopes or from more distant wind-blown sources. In the kettle holes from Gran Sasso and Majella massifs, small fragments of woody charcoal were found. The material filling the kettle holes accumulated inside them in the form of layers. Soils formed inside the kettle holes showed horizons whose thickness and properties appeared mostly inherited from the amassed layers. The only pedogenic process common to the kettle holes of the three massifs was the incorporation of organic matter that, as expected from the rather cold climatic conditions, was subjected to slow dynamics. In the kettle holes of the Majella massif, the horizons developed from layers rich of materials of volcanic origin, and the formation of short-range order minerals occurred. We conclude that the soils inside the kettle holes are a repository of geomorphic, pedogenic and, in reference to the source of the charcoal, paleo-environmental information.

Crepis Magellensis F. Conti &amp; Uzunov (Asteraceae), a New Species from Central Apennine (Abruzzo, Italy)

Abstract Conti, F. & D. Uzunov (2011). Crepis magellensis F. Conti & Uzunov (Asteraceae), a new species from Central Apennine (Abruzzo, Italy). Candollea 66: 81–86. In English, English & French abstracts. Crepis magellensis F. Conti & Uzunov (Asteraceae), a new species from calcareous scree slopes near the summit area of Majella Massif (Abruzzo, Italy), is described and illustrated. Its relationship with Crepis bithynica Boiss., a closely related species, is also discussed.

The Majella Massif in Abruzzo, Italy: “The Mother of Mountains”

During the latter half of the 20th century, many mountainous areas throughout the Mediterranean experienced widespread economic and social marginalization. The Majella Massif, perceived for centuries by local inhabitants as a sacred mountain, has since the advent of the Second World War witnessed a steady decline in the population of its surrounding villages and the abandonment of both farmland and pastureland. In 1995 the Majella National Park was established, which includes the mountain and adjoining territory. Despite the area's natural beauty and numerous religious sites, a lack of infrastructure (including hotels, maintained trails, and efficient public transportation) together with insufficient incentives to revive sustainable agricultural and shepherding practices have slowed the development of the park. These trends may be reversed by land use regulations and governmental incentives that take into careful consideration the need to safeguard and develop not only the natural, but also the spiritual and traditional agropastoral resources of the mountain.

The vegetation of alpine belt karst-tectonic basins in the central Apennines (Italy)

The vegetation communities of the karst-tectonic basins of the Majella massif alpine belt were studied using the phytosociological methods, and analysed from coenological, synchorological and syntaxonomical viewpoints. During the field-work, 115 relevés were performed using the phytosociological approach of Braun-Blanquet, and these relevés were further subjected to multivariate analyses. Eight clusters of relevés resulted from the numerical classification. The plant communities identified in the study area were ascribed to the following five associations, two sub-associations and one community type: Leontopodio – Seslerietum juncifoliae (ass. nova); Helianthemo – Festucetum italicae (ass. nova); Gnaphalio – Plantaginetum atratae; Taraxaco – Trifolietum thalii gnaphalietosum magellensis (subass. nova); Luzulo italicae – Nardetum, Carici – Salicetum retusae; Saxifrago – Papaveretum julici, Saxifrago – Papaveretum androsacetosum (subass. nova), Plantago atrata and Leontodon montanus community. The distribution of these communities within the karst basins was found to be related to variations in topographic and geomorphological parameters, such as altitude, slope, soil availability and stoniness. All the new associations proposed in this paper belong to the suballiance Leontopodio – Elynenion and to the alliance Seslerion apenninae, both of which are endemic to the central Apennines. In order to compare the plant community types identified within the Majella massif to similar associations found in the rest of the Apennine chain, synoptic tables were constructed. Finally, a comparative phytogeographical analysis of the alpine belt vegetation of the Apennines, Dinarides, southern Balkans and eastern Alps is presented.

Meadow viper,Vipera ursinii, in Italy: aspects of conservation ecology (Reptilia, Viperidae)

The Meadow viper, Vipera ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835) is the most threatened Italian snake species. The apparent frequency of observations and local distribution were investigated at a few central Apennine massifs. The most abundant populations appeared to be those inhabiting the Gran Sasso massif, particularly the Campo Imperatore valley. On the other hand, the most vulnerable populations appeared to be those inhabiting the Duchessa Mountains and the Majella Massif. The viper populations are affected by negative factors which may have a longitudinal effect (i.e. that may affect the viper populations during the whole cycle of annual activity) or a punctual effect (i.e. that may affect the viper populations during some specific phases of the annual activity cycle). Mean body sizes were similar in all areas, but the few specimens captured on Vettore Massif were significantly smaller than those captured in all other areas. This is probably due simply to the small sample size, rather than to true size differences at the population level. Micro-habitats of capture differed significantly among the various study areas: most specimens were found in or around bushes of Juniperus nana on both the Duchessa and Gran Sasso massifs, but the great majority of specimens were found in or around Pinus mugo on the Majella massif. It is suggested that the main threats are: (1) overgrazing (longitudinal effect, mainly in the Duchessa Mountains); (2) damage produced by wild boar Sus scrofa (longitudinal effect, mainly in the Duchessa Mountains); (3) intentional killing by excursionists (punctual effect); (4) overforestation by P. mugo (on the Majella Massif).

Meadow viper, Vipera ursinii, in Italy: aspects of conservation ecology (Reptilia, Viperidae)

The Meadow viper, Vipera ursinii (Bonaparte, 1835) is the most threatened Italian snake species. The apparent frequency of observations and local distribution were investigated al a few central Apennine massifs. The most abundant populations appeared to be those inhabiting the Gran Sasso massif, particularly the Campo Imperatore valley. On the other hand, the most vulnerable populations appeared to be those inhabiting the Duchessa Mountains and the Majella Massif. The viper populations are affected by negative factors which may have a longitudinal effect (i.e. that may affect the viper populations during the whole cycle of annual activity) or a punctual effect (i.e. that may affect the viper populations during some specific phases of the annual activity cycle). Mean body sizes were similar in all areas, but the few specimens captured on Vettore Massif were significantly smaller than those captured in all other areas. This is probably due simply to the small sample size, rather than to true size differences at the population level. Micro-habitats of capture differed significantly among the various study areas: most specimens were found in or around bushes of Juniperus nana on both the Duchessa and Gran Sasso massifs, but the great majority of specimens were found in or around Pinta mugo on the Majella massif. It is suggested that the main threats are: (1) overgrazing (longitudinal effect, mainly in the Duchessa Mountains); (2) damage produced by wild boar Sus scrofa (longitudinal effect, mainly in the Duchessa Mountains); (3) intentional killing by excursionists (punctual effect); (4) overforestation by P. mugo (on the Majella Massif).

Use of a garbage dump by some mammal species in the Majella massif (Abruzzo, Italy)

Abstract In several previous works the presence of urban solid wastes in the feeding habits of some animal species has been documented. This study was carried out to discover which species visit a rubbish dump located in an area of the Majella massif. Monthly nightime direct observations, from September 1990 to May 1992, revealed the presence of dogs Canis [lupus] familiaris , domestic cats Felis [silvestris] catus , wolves Canis lupus and red foxes Vulpes vulpes . The fox was the most frequently observed species. Fox visits to the dump were distributed more continuously during the entire period of the study then the other species. An asymmetry was carried out to find out the animals' favourite time to use the dump. The analysis produced time lag values of 02:00 A.M. to 05:00 A.M. The wolf was observed the least. During the monthly observations a similar trend between the cat and wolf came to light. The two species also visited the dump at similar times (wolf: 07:00-11:00 P.M.; cat: 05:00-10:00 P.M.). Dog visits to the dump were less continuous in comparison with other species: no preferred time was revealed. Some environmental factors, related to the geographical area and management of the dump limited waste availability. This probably had an effect on the presence of the animals.