A multiparametric approach to study the forest ecosystem responses to environment

Forest ecosystems are subjected to numerous environmental constraints, both abiotic (edaphic and climatic limitations) and biotic (competition and facilitation processes between tree species, pest and pathogen attacks). To understand the mechanisms of plant’s response of plants to environmental factors, a physiological multiparametric approach can be usedhas been developed in order to improve the informative potential of research methods commonly applied in ecology ecological researches and, in at the same time, to design an effective cost-benefit surveys. In this presentation We present ourwe report an experience in concerning the application of foliar δ13C of forest tree species in theas part of the ‘leaf traits analysis’ in forest tree species. This approach was adopted to study the responses of forest ecosystems trees to tree diversityin mixed forests and in relation to environmental factors, within the 7FP project “FunDivEUROPE.. Foliar δ13C is a key parameter for exploring carbon sequestration and strategies for an efficient water use of plants under water stress conditions. Its combination with other plant functional traits, that are indicators of climatic stress, drought, air and soil pollution, light use, competition, plant nutritional status, health plant condition (i.e. specific leaf area, leaf C and N content, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters) is a powerful tool to analyse on the whole and in-depth the physiological processes involved in the plant responses to environment. This presentation provides eExamples of about the use informative potential of leaf foliar δ13C, of tree species, combinedin combination with other plant traits, in the assessment of the cause and consequences of crown defoliation on tree health in a mixed forests in Tuscany is showed. Moreover are provided examples about tThe application of foliar δ13C as supporting parameter in a study on the taxonomic and ecological meaning of the chlorophyll a fluorescence signature of tree species in European mixed forests is provided. These examples point out the effectiveness and powerful of the combined analysis of functional plant traits, included foliar δ13C of plant tissues, in the ecology ecological research, improving significantly the informative potential of the (field) surveys carried out.