Abstract
This study focuses on the effect of fire on lowland heathlands at the extreme southern edge of their European distribution (Vauda Nature Reserve, NW Italy). Forty-nine plots (50 m radius) were surveyed between 1999 and 2006. Each year, fire occurrences were recorded and per cent cover of four vegetation types (grassland, heath, low shrubland, and tall shrubland) was estimated in each plot. Vascular plant species richness was also recorded in 255, 1 m2 quadrats. After a fire, grassland vegetation expanded, but then declined rapidly as heath and shrubland recovered: 7 years after a fire, tall shrubland encroached on to more than 40% of the plots, and grassland declined from 50% to 20% cover. Between 1999 and 2006, Betula pendula shrubland greatly expanded, while grassland decreased over most of the Reserve, even where fire frequency was high. Tall shrubland had low plant diversity and was dominated by widespread species of lower conservation value. By contrast, early successional vegetation (grassland and low shrubland) had higher richness and more narrowly distributed species, indication that the development of tall shrubland causes significant species loss in the heathland. Italian lowland heathlands are characterized by high rates of shrubland encroachment that threatens both habitat and species diversity. Burning frequencies of once in 3–6 years seem appropriate in this habitat, but burning alone might not suffice without actions to increase herbivore grazing.
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Acknowledgments
I thank Paola Laiolo and Roberto Sindaco for help in the field and commenting on the first draft of this paper, and Ente di Gestione delle Aree protette del Canavese for supporting this survey. Partial funding was provided by Regione Piemonte and the European Union through the project Interreg IIIA ALCOTRA, “Conservation and management of flora and habitats of the south-western Alps”, which was coordinated by IPLA (Istituto per le Piante da Legno e l’Ambiente) and Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette del Canavese.
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Borghesio, L. Effects of fire on the vegetation of a lowland heathland in North-western Italy. Plant Ecol 201, 723–731 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9459-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-008-9459-1