Applicazione di linee guida per la conservazione della pineta Granducale di Alberese

A four-year (2011-2014) control program was carried out in the pinewood of Alberese within the Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany, Italy), following a serious outbreak of the bark beetle Tomicus destruens Wollaston. The bark beetle had exploited several stress factors which characterize the pine stand: old age, cost erosion, salty water infiltration, climate change, rain water stagnation, etc. Each year specific guidelines were applied for infestation management: a) survey of infested plants; b) phytosanitary felling; c) monitoring of T. destruens flight activity; d) bait logs. Surveys helped verify the efficacy of pest containment as a reduction of about 90% was recorded in terms of infested plants per hectare after four years. Finally, flight monitoring was crucial to plan bait log schedules, as time is key to prevent the emergence of new T. destruens adults from infested wood material, thus reducing the spread of the infestation. Phytosanitary felling was carried out taking into account conservation and security factors, following Maremma regional Park’s rules and requirements (e.g. conservation of nesting habitat for the European Roller, fire risk measures, etc.).