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Black Pine Afforestations in Abruzzo (Central Italy): Perspectives and Management



Author(s)

Roberto Mercurio and Bartolomeo Schirone

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DOI:doi:10.17265/2162-5298/2015.09.007

In Italy, the hydro‐geological protection of the Apennine territories is a well-known issue. For this reason, at the end of the 19th century, a new reforestation technique was proposed by the Inspector of Forest Service, Pietro Montanari to cope with difficult soil conditions of the mountain areas. This new approach was the first application of the so‐called “gradoni” (small terraces) method of soil preparation. Each “gradone” was 100‐120 cm wide and made with a slight counter slope (ca 10‐15 degrees) to promote the accumulation of water and organic matter. Along each “gradone”, bare root black pine seedlings (Pinus nigra Arn.) were planted at a distance of 1 m from each other with a density of more than 3,000/ha. Nowadays, 19,158 hectares of black pine forests are growing in the Apennine of the Abruzzi region, largely resulting from those reforestation projects realized since the beginning of the 20th century. A case study of Monte Plaia (42°00’12” N 13°53’39” E), that illustrates the situation after 70-110 years in consequence of lacking of silvicultural treatment and the application of aforest restoration method is presented.

Black pine afforestation, forest restoration, Italy