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Land abandonment represents a major threat to the conservation of European semi-natural dry grasslands. To ensure biodiversity and habitat conservation, in this study, sheep grazing was reintroduced in abandoned Festuco-Brometea dry grasslands of a western Italian alpine valley. The experimental design included three treatments, along a gradient of increasing disturbance: (i) not-grazed, (ii) grazed, and (iii) penning areas. Unexpectedly, two years after grazing reintroduction, a wildfire hit the study area. To investigate the short-term effects of grazing and wildfire disturbances on vegetation, 62 permanent transects were monitored from 2014 to 2018. Vegetation cover, plant diversity, and richness and abundance of three functional groups of species were analyzed through generalized linear mixed models. Grazing caused little changes in vegetation, with the greatest effects observed in penning areas: the pioneer xerothermic species group, including many rare plant species, benefited from the reduction in the litter layer and the opening of gaps in the sward induced by trampling. The wildfire led to an increase in plant diversity and to changes in plant composition: dry grassland species decreased, while pioneer xerothermic and ruderal species increased their abundance. Short-term results suggest that both disturbances may foster the conservation of alpine dry grasslands.
Ginevra Nota; Simone Ravetto Enri; Marco Pittarello; Alessandra Gorlier; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. Sheep Grazing and Wildfire: Disturbance Effects on Dry Grassland Vegetation in the Western Italian Alps. Agronomy 2020, 11, 6 .
AMA StyleGinevra Nota, Simone Ravetto Enri, Marco Pittarello, Alessandra Gorlier, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati. Sheep Grazing and Wildfire: Disturbance Effects on Dry Grassland Vegetation in the Western Italian Alps. Agronomy. 2020; 11 (1):6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGinevra Nota; Simone Ravetto Enri; Marco Pittarello; Alessandra Gorlier; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. 2020. "Sheep Grazing and Wildfire: Disturbance Effects on Dry Grassland Vegetation in the Western Italian Alps." Agronomy 11, no. 1: 6.
This paper aims at analyzing the consumers’ perception of grass-fed milk so as to understand if a production based on a sustainable business model could represent a response to new and emerging needs in consumption. The sample of the study was constituted by a total of 750 Italian members of the International Association Slow Food. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to summarize the quantitative variables, which, grouped in “dimensions”, were used as input for multivariate statistics (HCA, MCA) in order to define and explain consumer profiles. Our data confirm an in-progress change in milk consumption: Consumers were more oriented towards quality, local supply chains, traceability, and are characterized by an increasing propensity to a higher expense for grass-fed milk. Further research will enlarge the proposed panorama covering a sample of more general consumers. The study was a preliminary market analysis that could be used as the basis for a production, distribution, and consumption chain grass-fed-based model. Grass-fed milk is a product linking individual and societal needs for more sustainable production and entrepreneurship that creates a higher value product aligned with market needs.
Giovanni Peira; Damiano Cortese; Giampiero Lombardi; Luigi Bollani. Grass-Fed Milk Perception: Profiling Italian Consumer. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10348 .
AMA StyleGiovanni Peira, Damiano Cortese, Giampiero Lombardi, Luigi Bollani. Grass-Fed Milk Perception: Profiling Italian Consumer. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (24):10348.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanni Peira; Damiano Cortese; Giampiero Lombardi; Luigi Bollani. 2020. "Grass-Fed Milk Perception: Profiling Italian Consumer." Sustainability 12, no. 24: 10348.
The study of plant phenology has frequently been used to link phenological events to various factors, such as temperature or photoperiod. In the high-alpine environment, proper timing of the phenological cycle has always been crucial to overcome harsh conditions and potential extreme events (i.e. spring frosts) but little is known about the response dynamics of the vegetation, which could shape the alpine landscape in a future of changing climate. Alpine tundra vegetation is composed by an array of species belonging to different phytosociological optima and with various survival strategies, and snowbed communities are a relevant expression of such an extreme-climate adapted flora. We set eight permanent plots with each one in a snowbed located on the Cimalegna plateau in Northwestern Italy and then we selected 10 most recurring species among our plots, all typical of the alpine tundra environment and classified in 3 different pools: snowbed specialists, grassland species and rocky debris species. For 3 years we registered the phenophases of each species during the whole growing season using an adaptation of the BBCH scale. We later focused on the three most biologically relevant phenophases, i.e., flower buds visible, full flowering, and beginning of seed dispersion. Three important season-related variables were chosen to investigate their relationship with the phenological cycle of the studied species: (i) the Day Of Year (DOY), the progressive number of days starting from the 1st of January, used as a proxy of photoperiod, (ii) Days From Snow Melt (DFSM), selected to include the relevance of the snow dynamics, and (iii) Growing Degree Days (GDD), computed as a thermal sum. Our analysis highlighted that phenological development correlated better with DFSM and GDD than with DOY. Indeed, models showed that DOY was always a worse predictor since it failed to overcome interannual variations, while DFSM and marginally GDD were better suited to predict the phenological development of most of the species, despite differences in temperature and snowmelt date among the three years. Even if the response pattern to the three variables was mainly consistent for all the species, the timing of their phenological response was different. Indeed, species such as Salix herbacea and Ranunculus glacialis were always earlier in the achievement of the phenophases, while Agrostis rupestris and Euphrasia minima developed later and the remaining species showed an intermediate behavior. However, we did not detect significant differences among the three functional pools of species.
Elena Quaglia; Simone Ravetto Enri; Elisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. Alpine tundra species phenology is mostly driven by climate-related variables rather than by photoperiod. Journal of Mountain Science 2020, 17, 2081 -2096.
AMA StyleElena Quaglia, Simone Ravetto Enri, Elisa Perotti, Massimiliano Probo, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati. Alpine tundra species phenology is mostly driven by climate-related variables rather than by photoperiod. Journal of Mountain Science. 2020; 17 (9):2081-2096.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena Quaglia; Simone Ravetto Enri; Elisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. 2020. "Alpine tundra species phenology is mostly driven by climate-related variables rather than by photoperiod." Journal of Mountain Science 17, no. 9: 2081-2096.
Based on a wide dataset of vegetation surveys carried out across the pastures of Western Italian Alps, the objective of the research was to determine the relative importance of management intensity and environmental factors (i.e. topography, climate, bedrock type) on 1) plant diversity and 2) forage quality and productivity (Pastoral Value - PV) of alpine summer pastures. Plant diversity (i.e. Shannon diversity index and species richness) and PV were affected in different ways by both factors, but they showed a hump-shaped relationship with pastoral management intensity. Plant diversity was mainly affected by environmental factors (elevation and total annual precipitation) rather than management intensity. Shannon index and species richness were lower at higher elevations and in locations with higher precipitation, and they were higher on steep sites and calcareous bedrock. However, management intensity had a noteworthy influence on plant diversity. PV was strongly affected by management intensity, whereas environmental factors had limited importance. Differently from plant diversity, PV was not elevation dependent as several vegetation communities with either a low and a high PV occurred within a large range of altitude. PV was higher on flattest sites, in sites with a low level of precipitation, and on calcareous bedrock. Our results highlighted that environmental factors are the main drivers of plant diversity in alpine pastures. Pastures are typically located at higher elevation, are less accessible, and lay in less homogeneous areas where the environmental constraints have a predominant effect on plant community development with respect to management intensity. Contrariwise, the influence of management intensity on PV suggests that an appropriate grazing management can enhance forage productivity and quality for livestock even in harsh environments.
Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Simone Ravetto Enri; Giampiero Lombardi. Environmental factors and management intensity affect in different ways plant diversity and pastoral value of alpine pastures. Ecological Indicators 2020, 115, 106429 .
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Michele Lonati, Simone Ravetto Enri, Giampiero Lombardi. Environmental factors and management intensity affect in different ways plant diversity and pastoral value of alpine pastures. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 115 ():106429.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Simone Ravetto Enri; Giampiero Lombardi. 2020. "Environmental factors and management intensity affect in different ways plant diversity and pastoral value of alpine pastures." Ecological Indicators 115, no. : 106429.
Context Many tree and shrub species are underestimated fodder resources due to insufficient knowledge about their potential feeding value, especially for goats. Aims The present work aimed at assessing productive and nutritional attributes of the foliage of the following four temperate tree species widespread in Europe: Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia. Methods Leaf length and biomass, proximate composition, fatty acid profile, phenolic composition and in vitro true dry matter digestibility were determined along the vegetative season. Key results The leaf length of the four species was significantly related to leaf biomass and can be considered as a proficient proxy for estimating leaf biomass. The differences found among the species were remarkable, although weakly related to temporal changes, especially when considering fatty acid and phenolic compositions. Fraxinus excelsior sprouts were the most productive, with a mean biomass of 13.2 g dry matter (DM) per sprout at the end of the growing season. Its foliage showed also the lowest phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 11.25 g/kg DM), resulting in the highest digestibility values (average in vitro true dry matter digestibility of 56.5 g/kg DM). Digestibility of S. aucuparia was similar, but its lower polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration (average value of 62.13 g/kg DM) could reduce the interest for this species as a feeding resource for goat dairy products with healthy properties. The lower digestibility found for A. pseudoplatanus and S. caprea (average values of 43.3 and 46.2 g/kg DM, respectively) may be related to their higher phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 45.9 and 47.3 g/kg DM, respectively). Conclusions The four species could represent an appealing feedstuff for goat nutrition, due to the valuable and complementary nutritional characteristics of their foliage. Implications The use of the studied species as fodder resource may be particularly relevant during drought periods and in the late summer when herbage quality decreases, especially in terms of crude protein and fatty acid profile.
Simone Ravetto Enri; Massimiliano Probo; Manuela Renna; Eleonora Caro; Carola Lussiana; Luca M. Battaglini; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species. Animal Production Science 2020, 60, 643 .
AMA StyleSimone Ravetto Enri, Massimiliano Probo, Manuela Renna, Eleonora Caro, Carola Lussiana, Luca M. Battaglini, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati. Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species. Animal Production Science. 2020; 60 (5):643.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Ravetto Enri; Massimiliano Probo; Manuela Renna; Eleonora Caro; Carola Lussiana; Luca M. Battaglini; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. 2020. "Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species." Animal Production Science 60, no. 5: 643.
Tourism in inner areas, especially in the mountains, is a complex phenomenon due to the different tourist’s needs and to the specific local features that vary considerably from one destination to another. Consequently, a unique tourism development strategy cannot be defined and adopted anywhere. When considering tourism-based territorial development in mountain areas, it is crucial to take the vision of local stakeholders into consideration. To drive different and/or unexpressed opinions towards shared tools, this study analyses the local stakeholder’s point of view using a mixed method consisting of a Delphi method followed by a Group Nominal Technique. The research was performed in Soana Valley, a small mountain community in the Northwestern Italian Alps. It involved 17 local stakeholders divided into three main groups—local administrators (n = 3), hospitality operators (9) and retailers (5). Results show how operators converge on three common aspects—local food product offering, territorial promotion and collaboration among operators, on which the community should focus to build a territorial integrated tourism offering.
Stefano Duglio; Alessandro Bonadonna; Marilisa Letey; Giovanni Peira; Laura Zavattaro; Giampiero Lombardi. Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5997 .
AMA StyleStefano Duglio, Alessandro Bonadonna, Marilisa Letey, Giovanni Peira, Laura Zavattaro, Giampiero Lombardi. Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (21):5997.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Duglio; Alessandro Bonadonna; Marilisa Letey; Giovanni Peira; Laura Zavattaro; Giampiero Lombardi. 2019. "Tourism Development in Inner Mountain Areas—The Local Stakeholders’ Point of View through a Mixed Method Approach." Sustainability 11, no. 21: 5997.
Over the last decades, the reduction of manpower for herd management has led to an increase of continuous grazing systems (CGS) in the Italian Alps, which allow cattle to roam freely. Under CGS, due to high selectivity, livestock exploit grasslands unevenly, over- and under-using specific areas at the same time with negative effects on their conservation. To counteract these effects, a specific policy and management tool (i.e. Grazing Management Plan) has been implemented by Piedmont Region since 2010. The Grazing Management Plans are based on the implementation of rotational grazing systems (RGS), with animal stocking rate adjusted to balance it with grassland carrying capacity. A case study was conducted on alpine summer pastures to test the 5-year effects produced by the implementation of a Grazing Management Plan in grasslands formerly managed under several years of CGS on 1) the selection for different vegetation communities by cattle, 2) the abundance of oligo-, meso-, and eutrophic plant species (defined according to Landolt N indicator value), and 3) forage yield, quality, and palatability. A total of 193 vegetation surveys were carried out in 2011 and repeated in 2016. Cows were tracked yearly with Global Positioning System collars to assess their grazing selectivity, and forage Pastoral Value (PV) was computed to evaluate forage yield, quality, and palatability. Five years after RGS implementation, cow selectivity significantly decreased and the preference for the different vegetation communities was more balanced than under CGS. The abundance of meso- and eutrophic species increased, whereas oligotrophic ones decreased. Moreover, the abundance of moderately to highly palatable plant species increased, whereas non-palatable plant species decreased, with a consequent significant enhancement of the PV. Our findings indicate that the implementation of Grazing Management Plans can be considered a sustainable and effective management tool for improving pasture selection by cattle and forage quality in mountain pastures.
Marco Pittarello; Massimiliano Probo; Elisa Perotti; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi; Simone Ravetto Enri. Grazing Management Plans improve pasture selection by cattle and forage quality in sub-alpine and alpine grasslands. Journal of Mountain Science 2019, 16, 2126 -2135.
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Massimiliano Probo, Elisa Perotti, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi, Simone Ravetto Enri. Grazing Management Plans improve pasture selection by cattle and forage quality in sub-alpine and alpine grasslands. Journal of Mountain Science. 2019; 16 (9):2126-2135.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Massimiliano Probo; Elisa Perotti; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi; Simone Ravetto Enri. 2019. "Grazing Management Plans improve pasture selection by cattle and forage quality in sub-alpine and alpine grasslands." Journal of Mountain Science 16, no. 9: 2126-2135.
Livestock site use intensity can vary widely across a grazing area due to several factors such as topography and distance from sheds and water sources. However, an accurate approximation of animal site use should be assessed for each part of the grazing area to apply effective management strategies. In the Alps, shepherds manage sheep through lenient supervision during the day and confining the animals in temporary night penning areas (TNPA) at night. In our case study, we assessed sheep site use over the grazing area with global positioning system (GPS) collars and calculated the sums of inverse distances from all TNPA (unweighted and weighted on the number of penning nights) and from all water sources, as well as the slope, on 118 sample points. We assessed the relative importance of these variables in affecting site use intensity by animals using different sets of models. Both the unweighted and weighted distances from TNPA were found to be the most important factors. The best fitting model accounted for the weighted distance from TNPA and the distance from water, but the latter showed a lower relative importance. Our study suggests that using the distance from TNPA, preferably weighted on the number of penning nights, is an effective proxy to estimate the spatial variability of sheep stocking rate during grazing in the Alps.
Simone Ravetto Enri; Alessandra Gorlier; Ginevra Nota; Marco Pittarello; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier. Distance from Night Penning Areas as an Effective Proxy to Estimate Site Use Intensity by Grazing Sheep in the Alps. Agronomy 2019, 9, 333 .
AMA StyleSimone Ravetto Enri, Alessandra Gorlier, Ginevra Nota, Marco Pittarello, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati, Alessandra Gorlier. Distance from Night Penning Areas as an Effective Proxy to Estimate Site Use Intensity by Grazing Sheep in the Alps. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (6):333.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Ravetto Enri; Alessandra Gorlier; Ginevra Nota; Marco Pittarello; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier. 2019. "Distance from Night Penning Areas as an Effective Proxy to Estimate Site Use Intensity by Grazing Sheep in the Alps." Agronomy 9, no. 6: 333.
For over 30 years, the EU dairy sector has operated within the framework of milk quotas, which were introduced in 1984 to address the problem of surplus production. Their abrogation in April 2015 and the high volatility of milk prices led the milk market to question the sustainability of its production models. Herding about 130,000 dairy cows and with a yearly production of around 840,000 tons of milk, Piedmont is an important Italian dairy region. Although milk is mainly processed by the dairy industry, the interest in a high-nutritional profile product, produced foraging cows only herbage and/or hay, is on the increase. After an overview of the Italian and international milk markets, this chapter defines what grass-fed milk is. It then goes on to analyze some representative grass-fed milk production systems in northern Italy and a successful case study in Europe. Lastly, after a discussion on systems’ sustainability, it reports some consumer surveys on inclination to consume grass-fed milk and on consumers’ willingness to pay for them.
Giampiero Lombardi; Giovanni Peira; Damiano Cortese. The Supply Chains of Cow Grass-Fed Milk. Milk-Based Beverages 2019, 297 -330.
AMA StyleGiampiero Lombardi, Giovanni Peira, Damiano Cortese. The Supply Chains of Cow Grass-Fed Milk. Milk-Based Beverages. 2019; ():297-330.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiampiero Lombardi; Giovanni Peira; Damiano Cortese. 2019. "The Supply Chains of Cow Grass-Fed Milk." Milk-Based Beverages , no. : 297-330.
M. Lonati; Massimiliano Probo; A. Gorlier; M. Pittarello; V. Scariot; Giampiero Lombardi; Simone Ravetto Enri. Plant diversity and grassland naturalness of differently managed urban areas of Torino (NW Italy). Acta Horticulturae 2018, 247 -254.
AMA StyleM. Lonati, Massimiliano Probo, A. Gorlier, M. Pittarello, V. Scariot, Giampiero Lombardi, Simone Ravetto Enri. Plant diversity and grassland naturalness of differently managed urban areas of Torino (NW Italy). Acta Horticulturae. 2018; (1215):247-254.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Lonati; Massimiliano Probo; A. Gorlier; M. Pittarello; V. Scariot; Giampiero Lombardi; Simone Ravetto Enri. 2018. "Plant diversity and grassland naturalness of differently managed urban areas of Torino (NW Italy)." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1215: 247-254.
Aim The implementation of Grazing Management Plans (GMP), a specific policy and management tool, aimed at enhancing farm productivity, while preserving plant diversity, soil, and landscape. The GMP are based on rotational grazing systems (RGS) with animal stocking rate adjusted to keep it balanced with grassland carrying capacity. The aim was to test the five‐year effects produced by GMP implementation on botanical composition, plant diversity, and soil nutrient content on sub‐alpine and alpine pastures. Location Val Troncea Natural Park, western Italian Alps. Methods A total of 199 vegetation transects was carried out in summer 2011 and repeated in summer 2016. The botanical composition was recorded and plant diversity indexes, i.e. species richness and Shannon diversity (H’ index) were computed. Moreover, the mean soil nutrient content was indirectly estimated through the computation of Landolt N indicator value (N index) for each transect. Pair‐sample statistical tests and PERMANOVA were perfomed at different levels: on the whole vegetation dataset, on vegetation communities (i.e. vegetation types and ecological groups), and considering functional pools of species. Results Considering the whole vegetation dataset, species richness, H’ index, and N index significantly increased from 2011 to 2016. Moreover, species richness significantly increased in almost all the vegetation ecological groups, with the highest increase within mesotrophic one. The H’ index significantly increased in eutrophic, pre‐forest, and thermic groups, while N index increased in all the vegetation groups, except in the eutrophic and snow‐bed ones. A significant difference in botanic composition was detected within oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and thermic groups. The number and cover of nitrogen‐poor high‐elevation species increased in all groups and this result could be probably related to the effects produced by livestock, which promoted seed transportation and increased connectivity amongst different communities. The meso‐eutrophic species number and cover significantly increased within thermic, mesotrophic, and pre‐forest groups, suggesting a greater use of such areas by livestock under RGS than continuous grazing system. Conclusions The implementation of a RGS with stocking rate adjustments proved to be an effective and a sustainable management tool to enhance botanical composition and plant diversity of sub‐alpine and alpine grasslands over a five‐year span. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Elisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. A 5-year rotational grazing changes the botanical composition of sub-alpine and alpine grasslands. Applied Vegetation Science 2018, 21, 647 -657.
AMA StyleElisa Perotti, Massimiliano Probo, Marco Pittarello, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi. A 5-year rotational grazing changes the botanical composition of sub-alpine and alpine grasslands. Applied Vegetation Science. 2018; 21 (4):647-657.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. 2018. "A 5-year rotational grazing changes the botanical composition of sub-alpine and alpine grasslands." Applied Vegetation Science 21, no. 4: 647-657.
Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier; Elisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi. Plant diversity and pastoral value in alpine pastures are maximized at different nutrient indicator values. Ecological Indicators 2018, 85, 518 -524.
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Michele Lonati, Alessandra Gorlier, Elisa Perotti, Massimiliano Probo, Giampiero Lombardi. Plant diversity and pastoral value in alpine pastures are maximized at different nutrient indicator values. Ecological Indicators. 2018; 85 ():518-524.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier; Elisa Perotti; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi. 2018. "Plant diversity and pastoral value in alpine pastures are maximized at different nutrient indicator values." Ecological Indicators 85, no. : 518-524.
Background: Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands are a priority habitat for conservation in Europe. They typically occur on siliceous substrates and less frequently are found on calcareous bedrock. Aims: The present paper aimed to identify the environmental factors (i.e. bedrock type, topographic, and climatic factors) that are related with community diversity and to assess if differences in plant diversity between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock occur. We hypothesised that Nardus grasslands on calcareous bedrock hosted a higher vascular plant diversity than those on siliceous bedrock. Methods: Based on 579 vegetation surveys carried out in the south-western Alps, we assessed vascular plant diversity (species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index) of species-rich Nardus grasslands and compared it between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock. Results: Elevation was identified as the main factor related to species composition, while species diversity was mostly related to mean annual precipitation and bedrock type. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index were higher within the communities on calcareous rather than on siliceous bedrock and a total of 89 and 34 indicator species were detected, respectively. Conclusions: Based on our results, we suggest to protect primarily, as a habitat of priority interest, N. stricta grasslands on calcareous substrates for the higher vascular plant diversity hosted.
Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi. Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock. Plant Ecology & Diversity 2017, 10, 343 -351.
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Michele Lonati, Alessandra Gorlier, Massimiliano Probo, Giampiero Lombardi. Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock. Plant Ecology & Diversity. 2017; 10 (4):343-351.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Alessandra Gorlier; Massimiliano Probo; Giampiero Lombardi. 2017. "Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock." Plant Ecology & Diversity 10, no. 4: 343-351.
Throughout the last decades, Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull heathlands have declined across Europe and nowadays their conservation is particularly challenging at the southern edge of their distribution. In the Nature Reserve of Vauda (north-western Italy), six restoration treatments were applied (extensive annual goat browsing, one-off mowing, annual mowing, one-off fire without and with annual browsing, and annual fire) and their effects on plant diversity and the cover of C. vulgaris, its competitor grass Molinia arundinacea Schrank, woody, and alien species were monitored between 2005 and 2011. In the short-term, most of the treatments changed the vegetation community, reducing C. vulgaris cover according to a gradient of increasing biomass removal. In the mid-term, C. vulgaris, M. arundinacea, woody and alien species cover followed different trajectories according to the treatment and functional group. Annual fire shifted the vegetation towards a M. arundinacea-dominated community, while extensive annual browsing did not affect the heathland community and resulted in the lowest increase in M. arundinacea, which showed a remarkable fitness in these environments. Moreover, annual burning and mowing were effective in reducing woody species encroachment (p < 0.05), and fire treatments triggered a peak in alien species cover (mainly Panicum acuminatum Swartz) in the short-term. Six years after treatment, species richness and Shannon index did not differ between treated and control sites (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these results highlight the need and potential benefit of integrating multiple techniques to preserve C. vulgaris heathlands at their southern edge
Massimiliano Probo; Davide Ascoli; Michele Lonati; Raffaella Marzano; Giampiero Lombardi. Restoration treatments to control Molinia arundinacea and woody and alien species encroachment in Calluna vulgaris heathlands at the southern edge of their distribution. Biological Conservation 2017, 211, 102 -109.
AMA StyleMassimiliano Probo, Davide Ascoli, Michele Lonati, Raffaella Marzano, Giampiero Lombardi. Restoration treatments to control Molinia arundinacea and woody and alien species encroachment in Calluna vulgaris heathlands at the southern edge of their distribution. Biological Conservation. 2017; 211 ():102-109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimiliano Probo; Davide Ascoli; Michele Lonati; Raffaella Marzano; Giampiero Lombardi. 2017. "Restoration treatments to control Molinia arundinacea and woody and alien species encroachment in Calluna vulgaris heathlands at the southern edge of their distribution." Biological Conservation 211, no. : 102-109.
Sheep can have an important role in the conservation of abandoned and shrub- and tree-encroached, semi-natural dry grasslands because their feeding behaviour is known to affect plant diversity and structure. Nevertheless, little information is available about feeding preferences of sheep at the sward-patch scale and about the effects of stocking density on their selectivity. Consequently, we investigated plant-species selection by sheep managed with a low-intensity grazing, examining the influence of stocking density and plant species abundance by means of vegetation surveys and animal GPS tracking. Sheep grazed a graminoid-dominated, semi-natural dry grassland (Festuco–Brometea) in Piedmont Region, north-west Italy. Plant species, classified into graminoids, suffruticose forbs, and herbaceous forbs, were selected with a different intensity by sheep, which preferred graminoids over suffruticose and herbaceous forbs. Plant species showing a high consumption ratio (CR), i.e. the level of selection of plant species (CR >10%), were mostly graminoids (e.g. Bromus erectus, Koeleria vallesiana and Stipa pennata). Furthermore, Carex species were also noticeably selected, in particular C. humilis, whereas spiny species and those with a rosette or prostrate forms were rarely grazed. The heterogeneity of stocking density over the pasture allowed testing of the relationships between stocking density and CR. For many species, the higher the stocking density, the higher was the CR, regardless of the abundance of dominant neighbouring species. Results suggest that sheep under low-intensity grazing conditions exert a specific plant-species selection in abandoned dry grasslands. By regulating the stocking density through the management of grazing sheep, it may be possible to condition the consumption of certain plant species, with medium–long-term effects on the botanical composition.
Marco Pittarello; Alessandra Gorlier; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. Plant species selection by sheep in semi-natural dry grasslands extensively grazed in the south-western Italian Alps. The Rangeland Journal 2017, 39, 123 .
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Alessandra Gorlier, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati. Plant species selection by sheep in semi-natural dry grasslands extensively grazed in the south-western Italian Alps. The Rangeland Journal. 2017; 39 (2):123.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Alessandra Gorlier; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. 2017. "Plant species selection by sheep in semi-natural dry grasslands extensively grazed in the south-western Italian Alps." The Rangeland Journal 39, no. 2: 123.
The decline of agro-pastoral activities has led to a widespread tree and shrub-encroachment of former semi-natural meso-eutrophic grasslands in many European mountain regions. Temporary night camp areas (TNCA) and mineral mix supplements for targeted cattle were arranged over shrub-encroached areas to restore grassland vegetation within the Val Troncea Natural Park (Italy). From 2011 to 2015, their effects on vegetation structure and pastoral value of forage were assessed along permanent transects. Four years after treatments, both practices were effective in reducing the shrub cover and increasing the cover and average height of the herbaceous layer, but changes were more remarkable within TNCA. Moreover, the arrangement of TNCA decreased the cover of nanophanerophytes and increased the cover of graminoids and high quality species, as well as the overall forage pastoral value. In conclusion, TNCA were the most effective pastoral practice to contrast shrub-encroachment and increase herbage mass and forage quality of sub-alpine grasslands.
Massimiliano Probo; Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. Targeted grazing for the restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2016, 11, 268 .
AMA StyleMassimiliano Probo, Marco Pittarello, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi. Targeted grazing for the restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands. Italian Journal of Agronomy. 2016; 11 (4):268.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimiliano Probo; Marco Pittarello; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. 2016. "Targeted grazing for the restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands." Italian Journal of Agronomy 11, no. 4: 268.
Maintaining multiple ecological functions (“multifunctionality”) is crucial to sustain viable ecosystems. To date most studies on biodiversity‐ecosystem functioning (BEF) have focused on single or few ecological functions and services. However, there is a critical need to evaluate how species and species assemblages affect multiple processes at the same time, and how these functions are interconnected. Dung beetles represent excellent model organisms because they are key contributors to several ecosystem functions. Using a novel method based on the application of 15N‐enriched dung in a mesocosm field experiment, we assessed the role of dung beetles in regulating multiple aspects of nutrient cycling in alpine pastures over appropriate spatial (up to a soil depth of 20 cm) and temporal (up to 1 yr after dung application) scales. 15N isotope tracing allowed the evaluation of multiple interrelated ecosystem functions responsible for the cycling of dung‐derived nitrogen (DDN) in the soil and vegetation. We also resolved the role of functional group identity and the importance of interactions among co‐occurring species for sustaining multiple functions by focusing on two different dung beetle nesting strategies (tunnelers and dwellers). Species interactions were studied by contrasting mixed‐species to single‐species assemblages, and asking whether the former performed multiple functions better than the latter. Dung beetles influenced at least seven ecological functions by facilitating dung removal, transport of DDN into the soil, microbial ammonification and nitrification processes, uptake of DDN by plants, herbage growth, and changes in botanical composition. Tunnelers and dwellers were found to be similarly efficient for most functions, with differences based on the spatial and temporal scales over which the functions operated. Although mixed‐species assemblages seemed to perform better than single‐species, this outcome may be dependent on the context. Most importantly though, the different functions were found to be interconnected sequentially as reveled by analyzing 15N content in dung, soil and vegetation. Taken together, our current findings offer strong support for the contention that the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functions should be examined not function by function, but in terms of understanding multiple functions and how they interact with each other.
Beatrice Nervo; Enrico Caprio; Luisella Roberta Celi; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi; Gloria Falsone; Gabriele Iussig; Claudia Palestrini; Daniel Said-Pullicino; Antonio Rolando. Ecological functions provided by dung beetles are interlinked across space and time: evidence from 15 N isotope tracing. Ecology 2016, 98, 433 -446.
AMA StyleBeatrice Nervo, Enrico Caprio, Luisella Roberta Celi, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi, Gloria Falsone, Gabriele Iussig, Claudia Palestrini, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Antonio Rolando. Ecological functions provided by dung beetles are interlinked across space and time: evidence from 15 N isotope tracing. Ecology. 2016; 98 (2):433-446.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatrice Nervo; Enrico Caprio; Luisella Roberta Celi; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi; Gloria Falsone; Gabriele Iussig; Claudia Palestrini; Daniel Said-Pullicino; Antonio Rolando. 2016. "Ecological functions provided by dung beetles are interlinked across space and time: evidence from 15 N isotope tracing." Ecology 98, no. 2: 433-446.
BACKGROUNDPlant composition of species-rich mountain grasslands can affect the sensorial and chemical attributes of dairy and meat products, with implications for human health. A multivariate approach was used to analyse the complex relationships between vegetation characteristics (botanical composition and plant community variables) and chemical composition (proximate constituent and fatty acid profile) in mesophilic and dry vegetation ecological groups,comprising six different semi-natural grassland types in the Western Italian Alps.RESULTSMesophilic and dry grasslands were comparable in terms of phenology, biodiversity indices and proportion of botanical families. The content of total fatty acids and that of the most abundant fatty acids (alpha-linolenic, linoleic and palmitic acids) were mainly associated to nutrient-rich plant species, belonging to the mesophilic grassland ecological group. Mesophilic grasslands showed also higher values of crude protein, lower values of fibre content and they were related to higher pastoral values of vegetation compared to dry grasslands. The proximate composition and fatty acid profile appeared mainly single species dependent rather than botanical family dependent.CONCLUSIONThese findings highlight that forage from mesophilic grasslands can provide higher nutritive value for ruminants and may be associated to ruminant-derived food products with a healthier fatty acid profile.
Simone Ravetto Enri; Manuela Renna; Massimiliano Probo; Carola Lussiana; Luca M Battaglini; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. Relationships between botanical and chemical composition of forages: a multivariate approach to grasslands in the Western Italian Alps. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2016, 97, 1252 -1259.
AMA StyleSimone Ravetto Enri, Manuela Renna, Massimiliano Probo, Carola Lussiana, Luca M Battaglini, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi. Relationships between botanical and chemical composition of forages: a multivariate approach to grasslands in the Western Italian Alps. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2016; 97 (4):1252-1259.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSimone Ravetto Enri; Manuela Renna; Massimiliano Probo; Carola Lussiana; Luca M Battaglini; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. 2016. "Relationships between botanical and chemical composition of forages: a multivariate approach to grasslands in the Western Italian Alps." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97, no. 4: 1252-1259.
Agro-pastoral decline in European mountain areas has recently caused changes to traditional landscapes with negative consequences on semi-natural grassland conservation and the associated biodiversity and ecosystem services. In the Italian Alps, grassland patches enclosed in a forest matrix are progressively disappearing. Two alpine valleys (Pesio and Pejo), having similar land-use history, were chosen as representative of management conditions of western and eastern Italian Alps, respectively. This study aims at interpreting the effect of abandonment on grassland patch plant diversity, considering land cover changes of the last 60 years, and assessing the role of ecological, topographic, management and landscape configuration on current grassland species richness. The total area of grassland patches has declined by 54 and 91 % at Pesio and at Pejo, respectively. Actual grassland patch species richness was mostly influenced by ecological factors, such as quantity of light, soil moisture and reaction, then by topographic features, especially slope, and finally by management intensity. Landscape factors exerted a slightly significant effect on plant diversity. In the two valleys, differences on management practices were detected. Even though in the western valley the conservation of several grazing activities contributed to slow down the process of patch reduction, many species-rich grasslands were generally under-grazed. Conversely, in the eastern valley, despite a denser road network, the stronger decline of grassland patch extension was linked to the hay making decline. At the same time, overuse of grassland patches near farms reduced plant species richness. As a conclusion, plant species richness was weakly related to the area of grassland patches and current and historical landscape configuration were of relatively lower importance than ecological, topographic and management factors, when evaluated at patch-level.
Stefano Orlandi; Massimiliano Probo; Tommaso Sitzia; Giovanni Trentanovi; Matteo Garbarino; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. Environmental and land use determinants of grassland patch diversity in the western and eastern Alps under agro-pastoral abandonment. Biodiversity and Conservation 2016, 25, 275 -293.
AMA StyleStefano Orlandi, Massimiliano Probo, Tommaso Sitzia, Giovanni Trentanovi, Matteo Garbarino, Giampiero Lombardi, Michele Lonati. Environmental and land use determinants of grassland patch diversity in the western and eastern Alps under agro-pastoral abandonment. Biodiversity and Conservation. 2016; 25 (2):275-293.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Orlandi; Massimiliano Probo; Tommaso Sitzia; Giovanni Trentanovi; Matteo Garbarino; Giampiero Lombardi; Michele Lonati. 2016. "Environmental and land use determinants of grassland patch diversity in the western and eastern Alps under agro-pastoral abandonment." Biodiversity and Conservation 25, no. 2: 275-293.
To reverse shrub encroachment and restore grassland vegetation, two pastoral practices were implemented over shrub-encroached areas: the arrangement of temporary night camp areas (TNCA) and the strategic placement of mineral mix supplements (MMS) for cattle. The aim was to assess the effects produced on (1) vegetation structure and (2) botanical composition of both pastoral practices in order to identify their potential to reverse shrub encroachment and restore semi-natural grassland vegetation. Shrub-encroached sites in Val Troncea Natural Park, southwest Italian Alps. We measured the effects produced by both practices on vegetation cover and height, cover of species belonging to different vegetation units, biodiversity indices (species richness and Shannon diversity index), forage pastoral value, and average indicator value for soil nutrient content from 2011 to 2014 along permanent linear transects. Data were analysed with GLMMs, multiple response permutational procedure (MRPP) and principal response curve (PRC). Both practices were effective in reducing shrub cover and increasing average height of the herbaceous layer, but within TNCA a marked increase in herbaceous cover was also evident. Moreover, the arrangement of TNCA increased the cover of meso-eutrophic grassland and fringe and tall herb species and decreased the cover of boreal-like shrubland and woodland species. The main effect produced by the placement of MMS on botanical composition was an increase in cover of fringe and tall herb species. Plant biodiversity was enhanced by the arrangement of TNCA but not by the placement of MMS, and the implementation of both practices increased forage pastoral value and average indicator value for soil nutrient content. The arrangement of TNCA was the most effective pastoral practice to reverse shrub encroachment, restore semi-natural meso-eutrophic grassland vegetation and increase plant diversity, herbage mass and forage quality.
Marco Pittarello; Massimiliano Probo; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. Restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands through pastoral practices: effects on vegetation structure and botanical composition. Applied Vegetation Science 2016, 19, 381 -390.
AMA StyleMarco Pittarello, Massimiliano Probo, Michele Lonati, Giampiero Lombardi. Restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands through pastoral practices: effects on vegetation structure and botanical composition. Applied Vegetation Science. 2016; 19 (3):381-390.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Pittarello; Massimiliano Probo; Michele Lonati; Giampiero Lombardi. 2016. "Restoration of sub-alpine shrub-encroached grasslands through pastoral practices: effects on vegetation structure and botanical composition." Applied Vegetation Science 19, no. 3: 381-390.