Age-related physiological and structural traits of chestnut coppices at the Castelli Romani Park (Italy)

Coppices of Castanea sativa Miller (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 17, 23, 26, and 30 years old stands) were investigated. Total basal area (BA) ranged from 4.9 +/- 1.9 m(2) ha(-1) (1 year old stands) to 41.0 +/- 2.3 m(2) ha(-1) (30 years old stands), and Leaf Area Index (LAI) from 0.18 +/- 0.08 m(2) m(-2) (1 year old stands) to 5.00 +/- 0.22 m(2) m(-2) (12 years old stands). Morphological and physiological leaf traits were analysed in 5 (YC) and 23 years old stands (OC) to point out the functional responses to clearing impact. The results pointed out the high productivity of C. sativa in the Park, due to favourable climatic and soil conditions. Significant differences of morpho-physiological leaf traits between YC and OC stands were observed during the last period of the vegetative cycle; it could be due to the higher efficiency in resource use of YC leaves than OC.