The present study was focused on how cardinal directions inside gaps of different sizes (small, 200 m²; medium, 400 m²; and large, 600 m²) can affect soil characteristics and tree regeneration. Additionally, the effects of gap size on the growth dynamics of trees outside the gaps were evaluated. The study was carried out in a European beech stand located in Aspromonte National Park (Southern Apennines, Calabria, Italy). Microclimatic variables, physical, chemical, and biochemical soil properties, natural regeneration density, and growth trees outside the gaps density of natural regeneration were assessed. This study provided evidence for an important effect of cardinal points on micro-environmental parameter variability, nutrient cycle, physic-chemical soil properties, water availability, and biological processes such as trees growth and regeneration. The European beech natural regeneration was most abundant in the south part of the gaps. Thus, we can state that cardinal points affect the trees natural regeneration in a species-specific manner. The new microclimatic conditions due to the gap opening had positive effects on the tree growth located along the gap edge, especially in the trees sampled on the edges of the medium gaps. On the contrary, the trees located in the forest recorded a productivity coherent with the period prior the gap opening. In medium-sized gaps, the combination and interaction of microclimatic and soil parameters (humification and mineralization process and microbial activity) created the best conditions for beech natural regeneration and favored an increase in the productivity of the trees at the edge of the gaps.

In the Mediterranean basin, coniferous reforestation mainly comprises forest stands highly susceptible to fires. When silvicultural treatments have not been performed for decades after plantation, these stands often exhibit high vertical and horizontal tree density, along with a significant occurrence of lying and standing deadwood, thereby increasing the fuel load. On average, these pine forests are characterized by high values of above-ground biomass, ranging from 175 to 254 Mg ha⁻¹ for the younger and the older ones, respectively. The theoretical heat energy produced per surface unit, in the case of the total combustion of the above-ground biomass, is also high, varying from 300 to 450 MJ ha⁻¹ depending on the stage of stand development. In this study, we demonstrated the importance of silvicultural interventions in reducing the pyrological potential in pine reforested stands located in southern Italy, also giving attention to the water savings needed during extinction phases. In detail, we applied a preliminary mathematical reaction-diffusion model aimed at predicting the development of forest fires. The model was applied using data obtained through the estimation of the pyrological potential in terms of heat energy produced per surface unit (1 hectare) and the variation in the critical surface intensity. We verified that, when silvicultural interventions are applied, they induce a reduction of heat energy ranging between 17 and 21%, while the extinguishing water saved ranges between 600 and 1000 Mg ha⁻¹. Moreover, when the silvicultural interventions are implemented, the probability of the transition from surface fire to crown fire can be reduced by up to 31%. The most effective results on fire risk mitigation are mainly obtained when thinning aimed at reducing canopy and tree density is carried out in the younger phases of the reforested pine stands.

Coarse Woody Debris and Standing Dead Tress are considered relevant ecological elements for soil and biodiversity conservation and for the ecosystem functionality. Investigations have been carried out in natural and artificial stands of Calabrian pine (Pinus laricio Poiret) in the Aspromonte National Park (Italy). The volume of Standing Dead Trees is of 1.4-22.0 m3 ha-1. The volume of Coarse Woody Debris is of 1.4-23.0 m3 ha-1. The combine volume of CWD and SDT (14.8 m3 ha-1) reaches the values suggested for forests in Germany and France. The C stored in dead wood is of 3.3 Mg C ha-1. Observations on the dead wood management in natural and artificial stands are here made.

Wildfires are a major ecological disturbance in Mediterranean forests, whose frequency and intensity are increasingly driven by climate change and land-use dynamics. This study investigated post-fire natural regeneration and soil properties in Aleppo pine stands seven years after a high-severity crown fire in southern Italy. Two stand types—pure pine and mixed pine—were compared, differing in fire severity and structural composition. We evaluated seedling density and dendrometric parameters (height and collar diameter), as well as soil parameters (pH, organic matter, and bulk density) to assess their role in post-fire recovery. Regeneration was abundant and composed exclusively of Aleppo pine, with significantly higher seedling density in the pure pine stand, where fire severity was greatest. In mixed pine stand, moderate fire severity combined with interspecific competition limited regeneration density. Deadwood presence enhanced microclimatic conditions favorable to seedling establishment, supporting a post-fire recovery dynamic consistent with self-succession, whereby pre-fire dominant species are favored. Soil analyses revealed higher organic matter content and lower bulk density in the pure stand, which likely facilitated regeneration. Overall, these findings underscore the ecological value of deadwood retention and passive management strategies in fostering spontaneous forest recovery. A better understanding of post-fire regeneration patterns and soil conditions can inform adaptive management approaches to strengthen forest resilience in Mediterranean forests under increasing climate pressure.

Wildfires represent a major ecological disturbance in Mediterranean forests, increasingly intensified by climate change and land-use changes. This study investigated post-fire natural regeneration and soil properties in Aleppo pine stands seven years after a high-severity crown fire in southern Italy. The analysis compared two stand types: pure pine and mixed pine stands, differing in fire severity and structural composition. We assessed seedling density, spatial distribution, and dendrometric parameters (height and collar diameter), and evaluated soil parameters (pH, organic matter, and bulk density) to understand their influence on post-fire recovery. Results showed abundant regeneration composed exclusively of Aleppo pine, with significantly higher seedling density in the pure pine stand, where fire severity was greatest. In mixed pine stand, moderate fire severity and interspecific competition reduced regeneration density. The presence of deadwood was found to enhance microclimatic conditions conducive to seedling establishment and the post-fire recovery in Mediterranean pine forests follows a model of self-succession, favouring pre-fire species. Soil analyses revealed higher organic matter content and lower bulk density in the pure stand, which may have supported regeneration. These findings highlight the importance of deadwood retention and passive management strategies in promoting spontaneous forest recovery. Understanding post-fire regeneration patterns and soil conditions can inform adaptive management policies to enhance forest resilience in Mediterranean ecosystems under climate pressure.