Renaturalization of conifers woodlands in the Iblean mountains (South-Eastern Sicily)

Based on previous studies on the vegetation in Sicilian artificial forest populations(Cristaudo et al., 2008), in the Iblean mountains (south-eastern Sicily) in theperiod 2009-2011, investigations on different typologies of coniferous woodlands(Pinus pinea, P. halepensis, P. radiate, mixed conifers, mixed conifer witheucalyptus) were carried out in order to deepen the knowledge on their potentialityand evolutionary dynamics.Considering that artificial reforestations are mainly woodlands with low values ofbiodiversity, not in balance with the environment, that require anthropic presenceboth for their continuance and renaturalization (Nocentini, 2005), the aim of thisresearch is to gain useful information on their management to improve the floristicrichness and biodiversity supporting the establishment of tree species and shrubsthat are native to the study area.During the investigations, particular attention has been paid to the analysis of thenatural phanerophytic component in relation to the stational characters, thestructure of the forest area, silviculture, grazing and forest fires .The results highlighted differences in the floristic component as a function of thevariables involved (implanted species, characteristics of the 'topsoil', cover, soil,geomorphology, cultural practices, noise factors, etc.) and showed that it is notpossible to determine agroforestry protocols of general validity or which aregeneralizable. On the other hand the most suitable silvicultural systems for theconversion to natural woodlands for each of the investigated species and for the different environmental factors were indicated