Soil loss on forests in MT.Etna Natural Park (Italy)
PoliMarcheseEmilia, Grillo M.,
DACPA, Sez. Biologia edEcologia vegetale, Università di Catania.
Soil erosion is a serious problem,particularly in the Mediterranean region, where a long period of land use hasincreased the phenomenon. We have studied this problem in the Mt. Etna naturalPark for some years. In two previous studies we showed the relationship betweensoil erosion and vegetation. The aim here is to show the soil loss in someEtnean forest areas.
In 33areas selected within Fagus sylvatica forests and Castaneasativa, located at 1400-1700 m a.s.l., 115 relevés were made and somesoil loss data at the tree foot were collected. The soil loss index (S.L.I.)was calculated on the basis of the surface soil loss.
Theresults show that the S.L.I. reaches the highest value (6,68) at the foot of a20m high Fagus sylvatica tree, with a diameter of about 30 cm, located on a30° slope with E-SE exposure.
Thecommunities where the S.L.I. reaches the highest value (4,01 and 3,46) are 18 mhigh beech forests, with a canopy cover of 90%, located on slopes of40-45°, with NE and S-SW exposure.
Theseresults were related to human activities that favour and accelerate soilerosion. In forests located in sites with high slope values (>40°), butwith little human disturbance, the S.L.I. is absent or very low (e.g.0,02).