A comparison of vegetation using a symphytosociological approach was carried out in the Aletsch region, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre located around the Aletsch Glacier in the Valais Alps (Switzerland). For this, relevés performed in 1982 and 2014 in 61 operational geographic units (OGUs) located near the treeline, with a mean elevation above 2000 m, were analysed. During the 32-year interval between the two surveys, several environmental changes occurred, mainly a decrease in traditional pasturing, a 1.5 °C increase in the mean annual temperature, and an increase in deer population. Numerical analyses of the relevés showed that the landscape remained globally stable. Nevertheless, in 56% of the OGUs, there was a change in cover greater than 10% either for trees (> 2.5 m), dwarf shrubs (< 0.5 m) or the herbaceous vegetation. In particular, Picea abies increased at lower elevation, and Pinus cembra dominated the regeneration of young trees (0.5–2.5 m) outside the forested area. Signs of thermophilisation were found in 74% of the OGUs. Deer were present in all the OGUs, and in some places, they had a strong impact on the vegetation, such as in the Aletschwald Nature Reserve. The resurvey confirms that symphytosociological relevés are a promising tool for landscape monitoring.

Symphytosociology, a Tool for Landscape Monitoring: A Case Study from the Swiss Alps

Michele Di Musciano
Formal Analysis
;
2021-01-01

Abstract

A comparison of vegetation using a symphytosociological approach was carried out in the Aletsch region, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre located around the Aletsch Glacier in the Valais Alps (Switzerland). For this, relevés performed in 1982 and 2014 in 61 operational geographic units (OGUs) located near the treeline, with a mean elevation above 2000 m, were analysed. During the 32-year interval between the two surveys, several environmental changes occurred, mainly a decrease in traditional pasturing, a 1.5 °C increase in the mean annual temperature, and an increase in deer population. Numerical analyses of the relevés showed that the landscape remained globally stable. Nevertheless, in 56% of the OGUs, there was a change in cover greater than 10% either for trees (> 2.5 m), dwarf shrubs (< 0.5 m) or the herbaceous vegetation. In particular, Picea abies increased at lower elevation, and Pinus cembra dominated the regeneration of young trees (0.5–2.5 m) outside the forested area. Signs of thermophilisation were found in 74% of the OGUs. Deer were present in all the OGUs, and in some places, they had a strong impact on the vegetation, such as in the Aletschwald Nature Reserve. The resurvey confirms that symphytosociological relevés are a promising tool for landscape monitoring.
2021
978-3-030-74949-1
978-3-030-74950-7
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11697/201306
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