Re-visiting historical semi-natural grasslands in the Apennines to assess patterns of changes in species composition and functional traits

摘要: Questions To what extent have semi-natural grassland plant species composition and functional traits changed during the past five decades? Which are main directions of change? environmental, management, landscape factors determined these changes? Location Central southern Apennines Italy. Methods In 2013-2014, we used a stratified random sampling design to revisit 132 grasslands originally sampled between 1966 1992. The exact locations historical plots were not available but they associated with detailed vegetation maps. Plots divided in 17 groups based on study area original community type. To assess changes ran permutational multivariate analysis variance redundancy analysis. change was estimated by comparing each new plot quantitative pool corresponding group; calculated using Bray-Curtis coefficient, shifts quantified as differences weighted means. These measures response variables mixed effects models including climate, topography, management metrics explanatory variables. Results The greatest related successional dynamics, which occurred mainly developing at low altitude flattest sites where soil organic horizon relatively thick. Colonization shrubs trees facilitated high pH amount adjacent forests. Also affected patterns traits: grazing intensity negatively degree compositional well abundance woody species, whereas increase frequent disturbance found higher values salinity. Conclusions Apennine undergone substantial recent decades. Compositional indicated dynamics likely following decrease intensity, some more accessible experienced an disturbance-tolerant species. combination re-visitation approach allowed clarify different adding information ecological processes changes. This article is protected copyright. All rights reserved.