The temporal pattern of vegetation of the SCI (Site of Community Importance) and SPA (Special Protection Area) "Mt. Vigese" (IT4050013) is under study to develop appropriate techniques for quantifying and analysing its changes since 1807. The Mt. Vigese massif has an area of 617 ha and rises from a landscape of low foothills in the middle-upper Reno valley, within the Northern Apennines. Its altitudinal range is 493-1100 m. The lithological substrate largely consists of sandstones which “float ” on a vast clay base of the Chaotic Complex. The massif has a rich and diverse flora (more than 750 species) including a number of taxa which are interesting from the conservation point of view, such as Quercus ilex, a Tertiary relict. Woodlands dominate the landscape and include mixed oak woods and a small beech wood, near the top of Mt. Vigese. The mixed oak woods belong to the Ostryo-Aceretum opulifolii Ubaldi 1993, within the Ostryo carpinifoliae -Carpinion orientalis Horvat 1956. The beech wood belongs to the Daphno laureolae-Fagetum Ubaldi 2003 within the Geranio nodosi – Fagion Gentile 1974. Old fields and Prunetalia spinosae Tüxen 1952 shrublands are the other prevailing plant communities. The woods largely reflect the chestnut-based economy of the past. The decline of chestnut cultivation has allowed chestnut woods to be replaced by mixed deciduous woodlands, which still include old chestnuts. Meadows with Dactylis glomerata and Agropyron repens, and meadows with Brachypodium rupestre have largely replaced abandoned fields and pastures. On eroded slopes and sandstone outcrops discontinuous grasslands and shrublands are settled. The landscape change analysis was based on interpretation of cadastral maps which date back to the early XIX century (i.e. "Catasto Boncompagni") and land cover maps derived from aerial photographs taken in 1954, 1971, 1976 and 1998. The diachronic GIS highlights the relevant landscape changes which took place in the last two centuries. It provides information on the temporal pattern of the vegetation processes which led to the substitution of chestnut woods by mixed deciduous woods, especially Quercus cerris woods, as well as to the recolonization of fields by herbs and shrubs.
Analysis of land cover changes based on old cadastral maps and aerial photographs. The case study of the Site of Community Importance Mt. Vigese (IT 4050013).
PEZZI, GIOVANNA;FERRARI, CARLO
2005
Abstract
The temporal pattern of vegetation of the SCI (Site of Community Importance) and SPA (Special Protection Area) "Mt. Vigese" (IT4050013) is under study to develop appropriate techniques for quantifying and analysing its changes since 1807. The Mt. Vigese massif has an area of 617 ha and rises from a landscape of low foothills in the middle-upper Reno valley, within the Northern Apennines. Its altitudinal range is 493-1100 m. The lithological substrate largely consists of sandstones which “float ” on a vast clay base of the Chaotic Complex. The massif has a rich and diverse flora (more than 750 species) including a number of taxa which are interesting from the conservation point of view, such as Quercus ilex, a Tertiary relict. Woodlands dominate the landscape and include mixed oak woods and a small beech wood, near the top of Mt. Vigese. The mixed oak woods belong to the Ostryo-Aceretum opulifolii Ubaldi 1993, within the Ostryo carpinifoliae -Carpinion orientalis Horvat 1956. The beech wood belongs to the Daphno laureolae-Fagetum Ubaldi 2003 within the Geranio nodosi – Fagion Gentile 1974. Old fields and Prunetalia spinosae Tüxen 1952 shrublands are the other prevailing plant communities. The woods largely reflect the chestnut-based economy of the past. The decline of chestnut cultivation has allowed chestnut woods to be replaced by mixed deciduous woodlands, which still include old chestnuts. Meadows with Dactylis glomerata and Agropyron repens, and meadows with Brachypodium rupestre have largely replaced abandoned fields and pastures. On eroded slopes and sandstone outcrops discontinuous grasslands and shrublands are settled. The landscape change analysis was based on interpretation of cadastral maps which date back to the early XIX century (i.e. "Catasto Boncompagni") and land cover maps derived from aerial photographs taken in 1954, 1971, 1976 and 1998. The diachronic GIS highlights the relevant landscape changes which took place in the last two centuries. It provides information on the temporal pattern of the vegetation processes which led to the substitution of chestnut woods by mixed deciduous woods, especially Quercus cerris woods, as well as to the recolonization of fields by herbs and shrubs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
