Plant species diversity changes in abandoned chestnut (Castanea sativa) groves in southern France

摘要: Over the last few decades, marked land use changes have taken place in many Mediterranean ecosystems. For example, chestnut groves France are now abandoned and turned into 'natural' coppice stands while others clear-cut every 10 or 15 years for wood. Species composition life form diversity of plant communities changed markedly both periodically stands. What consequences these on biodiversity at local regional scales, what implications 'new forestry' management intended to conserve same time as it optimizes productivity profitability? To answer questions we studied species understorey strata along a successional gradient including cultivated grove; young (15 old), medium (40 years), old (>55 years) The results showed that richness decreased quickly but not steadily this gradient, life-form spectra data highlighted high levels were due primarily large number therophytes (annual plants). At shorter scale, also experimental clear-cutting biodiversity. Direct measurements over four increased first two after clear-cutting, during 3rd 4th years. This decrease corresponded closely with steady increase Leaf Area Index forest canopy. These been used suggest some possible ways manage