Italiano
University TS
Biology
Research
ECOLOGY: Plant ecology
The sub-alpine vegetation belt
This research, of a causal-ecological kind, is carried out by means of direct and indirect analysis of
gradients applied to vegetation types identified using the phytosociological method. The
quantification of the abiotic ecological parameters in the various types of vegetation is based both
on direct measurements in the field and in the laboratory (microclimatic, pedologic) and on the
employment of indices which use the composition of the phytocoenoses to express the relative
position of the identified vegetation types along environmental gradients. Studies have already been
carried out in the following formations: Alnus viridis scrubs, Pinus mugo scrubs and sub-alpine berry heaths
with Sphagnum. In the Carnic Alps, a study on extra-silvatic vegetation mosaics and
research on spruce woods growing at the altitudinal limit of the tree-line are now close to
completion. Programmed for the near future are a study of the ecotone between Alnus viridis and
Pinus mugo scrubs and the ecological analysis of the sub-alpine grasslands dominated by Juncus triphidus.
Scientist in charge: M. Codogno.
ECOLOGY: Plant ecology
Ecological characterisation of oaks of the Quercus robur group
Oaks belonging to this group are of various entities separated by relatively obscure reproductive
barriers whilst exogenous isolating factors, mainly geographic-ecological, seem to play a very
important role in their segregation. Ecological segregation appears to be, in some cases, sufficient to
maintain a constant presence of distinctive hereditary characters within the different reproductive
communities. In order to characterise ecologically some of the oaks belonging to the group in
question, this research analyses certain ecological parameters, mainly pedologic, in forest
phytocoeneses dominated by different oak taxa. The research in mainly carried out in the Venezia
Giulia territory (north-east Italy) and the taxa concerned are: Q. petraea Liebl., Q.aurea Wierzb.,
Q.pubescens Willd. and Q.tommasinii Kotschy.
Scientist in charge: M. Codogno.
ECOLOGY: Plant ecology
Cryptogamic Synusiae
Study of the main ecological characteristics of cryptogamic synusiae and in particular those with
bryophyte dominance. The research is carried out within types of synusia identified on a
phytosociological basis. A study is currently in progress on the cryptogamic vegetation which
grows at the mouth of Karst cavities.
Scientist in charge: M. Codogno.
Italiano
University TS
Biology
Research