In macroecology, shifting from coarse- to local-scale explanatory factors is crucial for understanding how global change impacts functional diversity (FD). Plants possess diverse traits allowing them to differentially respond across a spectrum of environmental conditions. We aim to assess how macro- to microclimate, stand-scale measured soil properties, forest structure, and management type, influence forest understorey FD at the macroecological scale. Our study covers Italian forests, using thirteen predictors categorized into climate, soil, forest structure, and management. We analyzed five traits (i.e., specific leaf area, plant size, seed mass, belowground bud bank size, and clonal lateral spread) capturing independent functional dimensions to calculate the standardized effect size of functional diversity (SES-FD) for all traits (multi-trait) and for single traits. Multiple regression models were applied to assess the effect of predictors on SES-FD. We revealed that climate, soil, and forest structure significantly drive SES-FD of specific leaf area, plant size, seed mass, and bud bank. Forest management had a limited effect only. However, differences emerged between herbaceous and woody growth forms of the understorey layer, with herbaceous species mainly responding to climate and soil features, while woody species were mainly affected by forest structure. Future warmer and more seasonal climate could reduce the diversity of resource economics, plant size, and persistence strategies of the forest understorey. Soil eutrophication and acidification may impact the diversity of regeneration strategies; canopy closure affects the diversity of above- and belowground traits, with a larger effect on woody species. Multifunctional approaches are vital to disentangle the effect of global changes on functional diversity since independent functional specialization axes are modulated by different drivers.

Mangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels, which increase soil salinity and acidity. This study aims to assess soil physical–chemical properties, paired with farmers’ local practices, to evaluate fertility constraints, and to support sustainable soil–plant management practices. This co-designed research contributes to filling a gap concerning the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices adapted to specific contexts in West Africa. In two regions, Oio (center) and Tombali (south), rice yields were measured in semi-controlled trials both in two agroecological settings: Tidal Mangrove (TM) and Associated Mangrove (AM) fields. 380 soil samples were collected, and rice growing parameters were assessed during the 2021 and 2022 rice sowing, transplanting, and flowering periods. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRA) were applied to understand trends and build fertility proxies in predicting yields. Significant spatial and temporal variability in the soil properties between agroecologies was found. Salinity constraints in Oio TMs limit production to an average of 110 g/m², compared to 250 g/m² in Tombali. Yield predictions account for 81% and 56.9% of the variance in TMs and AMs, respectively. Variables such as organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and precipitation positively influence yields, whereas sand content, pH, and iron oxides show a negative effect. This study advances the understanding of MSR production in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the importance of incorporating farmers’ knowledge of their diverse and complex production systems to effectively address these challenges.

At the end of October 2018, a storm of unprecedented strength severely damaged the forests of the eastern sector of the Italian Alps. The affected forest area covers 42,500 ha. The president of one of the damaged regions asked for help from the University of Padua. After eight months of discussion, the authors of this article wrote a consensus text. The sometimes asper debate brought to light some crucial aspects: 1) even experienced specialists may have various opinions based on scientific knowledge that lead to conflicting proposals for action. For some of them there is evidence that to restore a destroyed natural environment it is more judicious to do nothing; 2) the soil corresponds to a living structure and every ecosystem’s management should be based on it; 3) faced with a catastrophe, people and politicians find themselves unarmed, also because they rarely have the scientific background to understand natural processes. Yet politicians are the only persons who make the key decisions that drive the economy in play and therefore determine the near future of our planet. This article is an attempt to respond directly to a governor with a degree in animal production science, who formally and prudently asked a university department called “Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry” for help before taking decisions; 4) the authors also propose an artistic interpretation of facts (uncontrolled storm) and conclusions (listen to the soil). Briefly, the authors identify the soil as an indispensable source for the renewal of the destroyed forest, give indications on how to prepare a map of the soils of the damaged region, and suggest to anchor on this soil map a series of silvicultural and soil management actions that will promote the soil conservation and the faster recovery of the natural dynamic stability and resilience.