Stand structure and natural regeneration in a coastal Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forest in Central Italy

In Italy, Stone pine forests (Pinus pinea L.) have traditionally been cultivated to produce both wood and pine nuts. To this end, forest management is based on even-aged stands and the clearcut system with artificial regeneration. However, in the last decades Stone pine forests have become even more important for their social and cultural role, as well as for landscape conservation, especially those included within protected areas along the coast. For this reason, it is important to investigate whether the traditional silvicultural system is the most appropriate to achieve the current public needs or if there is a need to shift to more sustainable and close-to-nature silvicultural methods based on natural regeneration. Despite the relevance of this topic, in Italy few studies have focused on natural regeneration of Stone pine. This study was carried out in the Regional Park of Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli (Tuscany, Central Italy) where we found natural regeneration of Stone pine in an even-aged stand of pine. The objectives of our study were (1) to characterize the forest structure of the Stone pine stand and (2) to quantify the natural regeneration of pine. Our results show that natural regeneration of Pinus pinea L. in the Park of San Rossore is a reachable target, however an adequate management is needed. The results are discussed with the intention of providing knowledge to support management of Stone pine forests along the Tyrrhenian coast.