Quercus Ilex Wood Research Articles

Pesticide bioremediation by Trametes versicolor: Application in a fixed-bed reactor, sorption contribution and bioregeneration

Although immobilization on lignocellulosic materials has recently become a promising strategy in the fungal-based technology for micropollutant bioremediation, research evidence in this area is still scarce and significant knowledge gaps need to be addressed. In this study, Trametes versicolor immobilized on Quercus ilex wood chips was initially proposed to remove two pesticides, diuron and bentazon, from real agricultural wastewater. Thus, a bioremediation treatment was performed in a fixed-bed bioreactor at two empty bed contact times (EBCT) of 1 and 3 days. Bentazon saturation was achieved after 5 EBCTs, while diuron sorption remained below 50% even after 40 days of treatment. The differences in diuron and bentazon removals were linked to their different hydrophobicity and thus, affinity for wood. However, in any case, the sorption contribution of wood was found to be predominant compared to fungal biodegradation. These results motivated a comprehensive study to evaluate the pollutant sorption capacity of wood. Afterwards, pesticide-contaminated wood was successfully bioregenerated by T. versicolor in a biopile-like system, reaching high fungal colonization (up to 0.2451 mg ergosterol·g−1 dry weight), degradation rate (up to 2.55 mg·g−1·d−1) and degradation yields (up to 92.50%). The combined treatment consisting of the fixed-bed bioreactor followed by the re-inoculated biopile showed the best performance in terms of fungal content and pesticide degradation. This is an important step toward the implementation of fungal-based technology for the removal of pesticides from agricultural water.

Fragmentation modifies seed trait effects on scatter-hoarders’ foraging decisions

Scatter-hoarding animals are crucial in seed dispersal of nut-bearing plants. We used the holm oak Quercus ilex—wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus mutualism as a model system to evaluate the relative importance of seed size and fat content on scatter-hoarders’ foraging decisions influencing oak dispersal and potential recruitment. We performed a field experiment in which we offered holm oak acorns with contrasting seed size (2 vs 5 g) and fat content (3 vs 11%). Moreover, to test if the strength of these seed trait effects was context-dependent, experimental acorns were placed in small fragments, where natural regeneration is scarce or absent, and forest habitats. In small fragments, rodents had to face increased intraspecific competition for acorns and reduced anti-predator cover during transportation. As a result, they became more selective to ensure rapid acquisition of most valuable food items but, in turn, transported seeds closer to avoid unaffordable predation risks. During harvesting and caching, larger acorns were prioritized and preferentially cached. Fat content only had a minor effect in harvesting preferences. In contrast, in forest sites, where rodent abundance was four times lower and understory cover was well-developed, rodents were not selective but provided enhanced dispersal services to oaks (caching rates were 75% higher). From the plants’ perspective, our results imply that the benefits of producing costly seeds are context-dependent. Seed traits modified harvesting and caching rates only when rodents were forced to forage more efficiently in response to increased intraspecific competition. However, when landscape traits limited cache protection strategies, a more selective foraging behavior by scatter-hoarders did not result in enhanced dispersal services. Overall, our result shows that successful dispersal of acorns depends on how specific traits modulate their value and how landscape properties affect rodents’ ability to safeguard them for later consumption.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE VALORIZATION OF MOROCCAN WOOD IN INDUSTRY OF LAMINATED WOOD: CASE OF GROWN EUCALYPTI AND QUERCUS ILEX

The valorization of wood the grown Eucalypti and the Quercus ilex wood known as nervous in the industry of glued laminated wood, benefit are beneficial for the forest industry. A study on the mechanical behavior of tensile specimens of solid wood and glued wood (end-to-end and beveled) and the influence of assembly method on the tensile strength is made. The quality of the assembly is processed by a probabilistic model based on Weibull statistical approach allowing predicting reliability. The Weibull module m of solid wood of both hardwoods is very low compared to that of glued wood.

New Dry Grassland Associations from the Ausoni-Aurunci Mountains (Central Italy) - Syntaxonomical Updating and Discussion on the Higher Rank Syntaxa

New Dry Grassland Associations from the Ausoni-Aurunci Mountains (Central Italy) - Syntaxonomical Updating and Discussion on the Higher Rank SyntaxaA phytosociological study on the most extensive dry grassland communities of the coastal limestone massif of the Ausoni-Aurunci mountains (southern Latium, central Italy) is here presented. Violo pseudogracilis-Koelerietum splendentis ass. nova is restricted to the montane belt of the Aurunci mountains where it is dynamically related to the mesophilous Ostrya carpinifolia or Fagus sylvatica woodlands. Helichryso italici-Brometum erecti ass. nova is found within the upper hilly and submontane belt of both the Ausoni mountains (typical aspect) and the Aurunci mountains (subassociation saturejetosum montanae), where it is dynamically related with termophilous Ostrya carpinifolia woods and mesophilous Quercus ilex woods. Helichryso-Brometum is differentiated from Violo-Koelerietum in that it has a higher incidence of the steno-Mediterranean therophytic component. As far as the higher rank syntaxa are concerned, in this study the following changes were made in accordance with the rules of ICPN: the name Phleo ambigui-Bromion erecti Biondi et al. 1995 was considered invalid due to the invalidity of its nomenclatural type Asperulo purpureae-Brometum erecti. In contrast, the validity of the old name Cytiso spinescentis-Bromion erecti Bonin 1978 was demonstrated and its nomenclatural type,

Tree age‐dependent changes among epiphytic bryophyte communities in Mediterranean environments. A case study from Sicily (Italy)

The epiphytic bryophytes inhabiting trees of different size/age in a Quercus ilex wood from Madonie Mountains (northern Sicily, Italy) were studied with the purpose of describing the changes that take place in the bryophyte stratum during the tree lifespan. Results indicate an increase of bryophyte cover combined with a progressive decrease of epiphytic lichens and the existence of an active process of species and community substitution. The way these processes take place corresponds to a succession sequence, which is characterised by a high number of pioneer species on the youngest trees and a sharp decline of species number on middle‐aged and old trees due to the great spread of Leptodon smithii and a few other pleurocarpous mosses. The comparison of these traits to those from central Spain evidences differences in patterns of tree colonisation by epiphyte bryophytes between the two areas and suggests that climatic conditions play a chief role in the epiphytic bryophyte establishment and succession in Mediterranean areas.

Assessment of stress conditions in Quercus ilex L. leaves by O-J-I-P chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis

This reasearch, carried out within the MON.I.TO. programme (Intensive Monitoring of Forests in Tuscany, central Italy), was aimed at defining the stress conditions of two Quercus ilex woods at Colognole (CL) and Cala Violina (CV). In vivo chlorophyll fluorescence was measured for a whole year (1997 - 1998) using a portable 'continuous fluorescence' fluorimeter. The fluorescence parameters were calculated using the values at the steps 0-J-I-P of the polyphasic rising transient (this analysis is called JIP-test). Measurements were performed monthly, pre-dawn and midday. The findings revealed a condition of stress (drought and high temperatures) in the summer at CV during the central hours of the day, and a winter cold stress condition at CL observed in the pre-dawn measurements. At CV, summer stress was combined with processes of biologically regulated de-excitation; at CL, the winter stress appeared to be linked to structural damage affecting the photosynthetic apparatus. Results are discussed in relation to the existing literature on stress affecting Mediterranean vegetation, and to the findings reported in previous investigations in the same study areas.

Soil microbial metabolism and nutrient status in a Mediterranean area as affected by plant cover

The Mediterranean area of Southern Italy is characterized by different natural plant covers that mainly reflect different successional stages (i.e. low maquis, high maquis, Quercus ilex wood) and managed areas with introduced plant species (such as Pinus species). Soil properties could be affected by plant cover types as well as by plant species. Our objective was to determine the relationships of plant cover types and plant species with the chemical and biological characteristics of the soil. In four neighbouring areas with different plant cover types (low maquis, pure high maquis, high maquis with pines and pinewood, with pines planted by foresters in both cases), soil samples were collected under different plant species in order to evaluate the effect of plant cover types and plant species on soil properties. Soil samples were analyzed for nutrient content, microbial biomass, soil potential respiration and enzymatic activity (phosphatase, arylsulphatase, β-glucosidase and hydrolase activities) as well as for pH, water holding capacity (WHC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Application of cluster analysis and principal component analysis to the data revealed that the plant cover type was the key factor influencing soil properties more than plant species. In fact, the largest differences were observed between pure high maquis soils and all other soils, with pure high maquis soils generally showing the highest values of WHC, CEC, nutrient content, organic and microbial C, soil respiration, phosphatase, arylsulphatase and β-glucosidase activities. The significantly lower values of these variables in the low maquis relative to the pure high maquis probably reflect the effect of ecological succession on soil. The high maquis with pine, differing from the pure high maquis only for the presence or absence of pine, showed values of soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics similar to those found in the low maquis, thus suggesting that the presence of pine retards soil development.

Flora briologica della lecceta di Monte S. Angelo (Foggia)

Abstract The bryological flora of the Mt. S. Angelo (Foggia) Quercus ilex wood. - The authors have carried out a study on the bryological flora of the Mt. S. Angelo Quercus ilex wood, on the Gargano peninsula (Italy). After a brief survey of climate and vegetation, a list of 69 bryophytes is given: 6 species of liverworts and 63 species of mosses. 27 species belong to the circumboreal element, 26 are mediterranean, 13 cosmopolitan and 3 atlantic. Some comparisons with other zones of the mediterranean area are given.

Inquadramento fitosociologico delle leccete dei dintorni di Siena

Abstract A phytosociological study of the Quercus ilex woods in the surroundings of Siena (Italy). – Numerous stands of Quercus ilex woods around Siena have been studied phytosociologically and compared to the better known similar forests of Southern France. As a rule the Siennese Quercus ilex woods (Table 1) can not be considered to belong to the association Quercetum mediterraneo-montanum Br.-Bl. 1936 because of the absence of various significant central European and montane species, nor to Quercetum galloprovinciale because of the presence of too great a number of Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae and Querco-Fagetea species. Only rarely communities similar to the first mentioned association have been found: i.e. on Mount Cetona at 1.800 feet and in two particularly cool and humid localities at a lower height (Table 2). Taking into account the way these woods have been managed for centuries it can be concluded that they are mixed formations of Quercetum galloprovinciale and an oakwood association belonging to the order Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae; the exploitation techniques have caused the evergreen oak to become dominant therefore creating conditions favourable to the more thermophilous and shade loving plants characterics of Q. ilex woods and at the same time bringing about a sharp decrease in the number of the light demanding species typical of deciduous oakwoods.

Residui di Leccete pure e miste sulla Murgia di Putignano

Summary Purpose of this paper is to point out the residues of Quercus Ilex woods in the hilly region of Murgia di Putignano (Puglia) which lies inside the distribution area of Q. trojana, now the main wood-forming tree-species of this territory. Fourteen different small Q. Ilex stands are mentioned, as marked on alleged map. One of them (n° 1 on the map) has been more carefully studied through a whole year, and all plants growing in it have been collected.

Erborlzzazioni in Una Lecceta Sulla Scarpata Orientale Delle Murge Tra Fasano E Locorotondo

Abstract The author describes a portion of Quercus Ilex wood, placed between Fasano and Locorotondo (Bari), at the cross-road to Selva di Fasano, 300 m. about on the sea level. This woodland, partly destroied, situated at the limits with Q. Troiana woodland, is one of the many remains which are present in the marginal zone of Murge. These remains testify that the Q. Ilex wood was probably in the past, more widly extended, in comparison with Q. Troiana wood, preeminently present today in the low Murgia. Its flora is mostly characteristic of the «Q. Ilex Gürtel» of the Medit. series (after Schmidt) but in the meantime it shows infiltrations of species belonging to the «Q. pubescens Gürtel» and to the «Quercus-Tilia-Acer Gürtel» of the Eurosib. Boreoam. series. This floristic arrangement is in accordance with the climatic-phytogeographic characters of this zone, which is to be referred to the «middle sub-zone of Lauretum» (Pavari) and to the contact zone between the semi-arid and the sub-humid levels (Emberger), where the «pluviofactor» (P/T of Lang) is still below 50. We are here near the upper margin of the Q. Ilex level, where haevy infiltrations of the upper zones are to be found.

Note floristiche e fenologiche nel territorio di Arneo (Fra Taranto e Gallipoli)

Summary The author describes the vegetation and phenology of a Quercus Ilex wood in the Comprensorio dell'Arneo, betwen Taranto and Gallipoli along the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea (Golfo di Taranto). The wood consists partly of a degraded bushy vegetation. The wood was visited eleven times during the year and each time species found flowering were noted (Table at pp 296–301): the greatest number of them, many being therothytes, was found on April 21rst (fig. 2) with about a month's delay in comparison with Palestine (Gindel). In May there is a considerable i decrease in number of species flowering. In summer and winter, because of drought and low temperature very few species, mostly geophytes, were found flowering, and only slightly but markedly more in Autum.