Stand structure of a Calabrian pine old-growth forest: indications for forest management and landscape conservation.

Calabrian pine forests are the peculiar feature of the landscape of many Italian mountain areas: Etna, Aspromonte and, especially, Sila. Sila landscape conservation is important not only for cultural and historical heritage value, but also for environmental and socioeconomic aspects. This is particularly relevant as most Calabrian pine forests are now included in the Sila National Park. The authors analyze the structure of an old growth pine forest. The main structural characters are compared with those of small group selection pine forests. Results show that small group selection felling, a tradidional silvicultural system peculiar to this area for Calabrian pine, is the best silvicultural approach for the conservation of Calabrian pine forests.