Stand structure and biodiversity in mixed, uneven-aged coniferous forests in the eastern Alps

This study reports a multidisciplinary analysis performed in mixed coniferous forests in Italy's eastern Alps, which have been subjected to uneven-aged management for many centuries. These forests are characterized by a marked structural heterogeneity even at small spatial scales. Vegetation diversity, as evaluated by Shannon and beta diversity indexes, was generally high, although it decreased at increasing elevations. Genetic analysis suggests that uneven-aged management did not affect stand genetic structure over the different generations. The high variability in terms of structure and floristic composition, as well as the suggested genetic stability, promote both the productive and the ecological value of these forests, thereby highlighting their multifunctionality. The maintenance of structural irregularity, which favours natural regeneration, requires relatively frequent and moderate harvests. The recognition of the biological potential of each tree and the peculiarity of each developmental phase represents an important step in understanding stand dynamics and, hence, in the application of a nature-based silviculture.