Approccio innovativo al monitoraggio fitosanitario delle foreste: il caso studio dei popolamenti di quercia e faggio nei Parchi Regionali Siciliani
10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343
L'obiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di esaminare lo stato fitosanitario delle quercete e faggete dei tre Parchi Regionali Siciliani (Parco dell'Etna, Parco delle Madonie, Parco dei Nebrodi). Lo studio è stato condotto individuando delle aree di saggio, popolamenti forestali omogenei sotto l'aspetto floristico, ecologico e fitosanitario. Complessivamente sono state delimitate 81 aree di saggio, di cui 54 quercete e 27 faggete. La condizione fitosanitaria di ogni essenza arborea all'interno della rispettiva area di saggio è stata espressa con un indice numerico denominato “classe fitosanitaria” (PC). I popolamenti di quercia hanno mostrato un elevato grado di sofferenza, con alberi sintomatici nell’85% delle aree di saggio. I popolamenti di faggio hanno mostrato una situazione di maggiore stabilità, ad eccezione delle faggete del parco dei Nebrodi che apparivano molto degradate. Sul genere Quercus, sono stati osservati sintomi di infezioni di patogeni fungini comuni nelle foreste delle aree temperate e Mediterranee, quali Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Polyporus sp., Fistulina hepatica, Mycrosphaera alphitoides ed Armillaria sp., mentre su faggio sono state osservate infezioni di Biscogniauxia nummularia, Fomes fomentarius e Neonectria radicicola. Sono state altresì individuate 22 aree che vengono proposte come aree di saggio permanenti dello stato fitosanitario delle foreste nei tre parchi.
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Italian Journal of Mycology
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A new approach in the monitoring of the phytosanitary conditions of forests: the case of oak and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks
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2016-10-10
2016-04-21
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Ital J Mycol
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2016/10/11
10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343
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permanent sampling areas
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A new approach in the monitoring of the phytosanitary conditions of forests: the case of oak and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks
https://italianmycology.unibo.it/article/download/6343/6110
45
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La         Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343




 A new approach in the monitoring of the
 phytosanitary conditions of forests: the case of oak
 and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks
 ___________________________________________
      Cinzia Rizza1, Silvia Scibetta1, Antonella Pane1, Federico Maetzke2, Donato
  Salvatore La Mela Veca2, Sebastiano Cullotta2, Giovanni Granata1, Federico La
              Spada1, Francesco Aloi1, Roberto Faedda1, Santa Olga Cacciola1

 1
   Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123
 Catania (Italy)
 2
   Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, University of Palermo. Viale delle Scienze, 11, 90128 Palermo
 (Italy)

 Correspondig Author e-mail: olgacacciola@unict.it

 Abstract

     The objective of this study was to investigate the health conditions of oak and beech stands in the three
     Regional Parks of Sicily (Etna, Madonie and Nebrodi). A total of 81 sampling areas were investigated, 54 in
     oak stands and 27 in beech stands. The phytosanitary conditions of each tree within the respective sampling
     area was expressed with a synthetic index namely phytosanitary class (PC). Oak stands showed severe
     symptoms of decline, with 85% of the sampling areas including symptomatic trees. In general, beech stands
     were in better condition, with the exception of Nebrodi Park, where trees showed severe symptoms of decline.
     On oak trees, infections of fungal pathogens were also observed, including Biscogniauxia mediterranea,
     Polyporus sp., Fistulina hepatica, Mycrosphaera alphitoides and Armillaria sp. By contrast, on beech trees
     Biscogniauxia nummularia, Fomes fomentarius and Neonectria radicicola were recognized. Furthermore,
     twenty-two permanent sampling areas were delimited with the aim of monitoring regularly the health
     conditions of forests in these three parks.

     Keywords; oak; beech; forest stand; phytosanitary class; Sicily; permanent sampling areas




 Riassunto

     L'obiettivo del presente studio è stato quello di esaminare lo stato fitosanitario delle quercete e faggete dei tre
     Parchi Regionali Siciliani (Parco dell'Etna, Parco delle Madonie, Parco dei Nebrodi). Lo studio è stato condotto
     individuando delle aree di saggio, popolamenti forestali omogenei sotto l'aspetto floristico, ecologico e

                                                                                                                     29
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



      fitosanitario. Complessivamente sono state delimitate 81 aree di saggio, di cui 54 quercete e 27 faggete. La
      condizione fitosanitaria di ogni essenza arborea all'interno della rispettiva area di saggio è stata espressa con un
      indice numerico denominato “classe fitosanitaria” (PC). I popolamenti di quercia hanno mostrato un elevato
      grado di sofferenza, con alberi sintomatici nell’85% delle aree di saggio. I popolamenti di faggio hanno
      mostrato una situazione di maggiore stabilità, ad eccezione delle faggete del parco dei Nebrodi che apparivano
      molto degradate. Sul genere Quercus, sono stati osservati sintomi di infezioni di patogeni fungini comuni nelle
      foreste delle aree temperate e Mediterranee, quali Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Polyporus sp., Fistulina
      hepatica, Mycrosphaera alphitoides ed Armillaria sp., mentre su faggio sono state osservate infezioni di
      Biscogniauxia nummularia, Fomes fomentarius e Neonectria radicicola.
      Sono state altresì individuate 22 aree che vengono proposte come aree di saggio permanenti dello stato
      fitosanitario delle foreste nei tre parchi.

      Parole chiave: quercete; faggete; popolamenti forestali; classe fitosanitaria; Sicilia; aree di saggio

 Introduction

 The European forests are susceptible to several abiotic environmental stresses, such as fires, loss and aridity
 of soil, and air pollution. All these factors could make the plants more susceptible to biological stresses, such
 as plant pathogens, which greatly contribute to the decline of vegetation (COOKE et al., 2007). In the
 Mediterranean area, the effects due to the aforementioned biotic and abiotic stresses are worsened by the
 impact of climatic changes and the resulting desertification processes (AUCLAIR et al., 1992; ROSENZWEIG
 and TUBIELLO, 1997; CHEDDADI et al., 2001; HANSEN et al., 2006; HANSON et al., 2006).
 In Europe, oak and beech are not only the most widespread trees in natural vegetation, but also the most
 sensitive to the stresses caused by the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors, as demonstrated by the
 numerous examples of severe decline of Quercus spp. and Fagus spp. stands reported in literature for central
 Europe (KANDLER 1992; TOMICZEK, 1993; FÜHRER, 1998; RAGAZZI et al., 2002; THOMAS et al., 2002;
 JUNG, 2009) and several Italian regions (CAPRETTI and MUGNAI, 1987; VANNINI, 1987; RAGAZZI et al.,
 1989).
 In recent years, the application of a methodical and multidisciplinary approach able to define the causes of
 the environmental decline and the health conditions of forests has largely increased, making it possible to
 formalize the more appropriate strategies of local, regional and national management. For example, in Italy,
 this kind of approach has been successfully applied in the framework of regional projects such as META and
 MONITO in Tuscany, ECAFO in Lombardy, BAUSINVE in Friuli Venezia Giulia, and FITFOREST in
 Veneto, as well as in projects managed by the Ministry for Agriculture and Forest, such as CONEFOR and
 INDEFO.
 With reference to the Sicilian context, up to now, the studies carried out on oak and beech forests have
 mainly focused on the role of phytophagous pests and fungal pathogens in the decline of natural vegetation.
 These researches have highlighted that xylophagous and defoliator insects represent the mainly
 phytophagous pests, while among the fungal pathogens attacking woody parts, Biscogniauxia mediterranea
 (De Not.) Kuntze, B. nummularia (Bullo.: Fr.) Kuntze, Cytospora spp., Diplodia mutila (Fr.) Mont., Discula
 quercina (Cooke) Sacc., Phoma spp. and Phomopsis quercina (Sacc.) Höhn, stand out; moreover, pathogens
 of roots, such as several species of Armillaria genus (GRANATA and WHALLEY, 1994; RAGAZZI et al., 1999;
 SIDOTI and COLLETTI, 2005; SIDOTI and COLLETTI, 2006; SIDOTI, 2011) have been recognized. However,
 besides the aforementioned examples, the studies of the health conditions of oak and beech forests in Sicily
 have followed a non-methodical approach, preventing the definition of a systematic analysis routine based on

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C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 standard evaluation models and parameters, without which the comparison between different areas and/or
 forest stands is quite complicated.
 For this reason, with this research, we intended to go behind the state of the art by studying and defining the
 health conditions of the oak and beech stands in three Regional Parks of Sicily through the application of a
 well-established method that employs standardized and reference parameters. Apart from the description of
 the sanitary setting of the studied forests, the obtained results could represent a really useful support tool in
 the planning of appropriate management strategies of the studied natural parks.

 Materials and methods

 Oak and beech forests located in the Nebrodi, Etna, and Madonie Regional Parks were selected for the
 present study. Beech forests were mainly pure stands. As for the oak ones, they consisted in three different
 typologies represented by: (i) mesophile oak stands of Quercus spp., frequently mixed with ash trees, (ii)
 pure or mixed stands of turkey oak (Quercus cerris L. and Q. gussonei (Borzì) Brullo), and (iii) mixed
 thermophile stands of Q. ilex L., and Q. pubescens s. l. Wild.
 Surveys were performed from 2007 to 2015 by using the form arranged by Veneto Region forestry
 authorities in the framework of the FITOFOR (Phytosanitary Forest Monitoring) project
 (http://www.unipd.it/esterni/wwwfitfo/immagini/scheda%20rilievo.pdf). The monitoring activities were
 carried out in fall and spring, since these seasons are the most sensitive to the biological activity of several
 plant pathogens.
 In detail, data were collected in different circular sampling areas of twenty-five meters in radius,
 representative of the ecological features and health conditions of the forest stands (Fig. 1). Noteworthy is that
 the center of the sampling circular area corresponds to a symptomatic tree.




 Fig. 1: A schematic representation of a sampling area; noteworthy is that the number of trees (green circles) within each
 sampling area is random, depending on the quantity of plants around the central tree.
 Fig. 1: Rappresentazione schematica di un’area di saggio; si noti che il numero degli alberi (cerchi in verde) all’interno
 di ciascuna area è casuale poiché dipende dalla densità del popolamento attorno all’albero centrale.

 For each Regional Park, the amount as well as the distribution of sampling areas were influenced by the local
 ecological features and the uniformity of health conditions, so that a major number of sampling areas and
 trees were circumscribed in locations where decay was more severe than in others.
 For each sampling area, the vegetation and the health conditions of trees were defined; the latter ones were
 established on the basis of the observed decay symptoms. In particular, for each tree, three decay parameters
 namely 1) the canopy transparency, 2) the wilting and 3) the defoliation were considered and established by
 splitting the plant's foliage into three parts (a lower, an average and an upper part). Moreover, if present,
 specific foliar symptoms (e.g.: chlorosis, necrosis, discoloration, wilting, leaf roll, mold, spots) as well as

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C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 decay of woody parts (e.g.: lesions, cankers, dry rot, fruiting bodies, emission of exudates) caused by both
 biotic and abiotic stresses were registered.
 Once identified, symptoms of decay were photographed and appropriately described for each tree; moreover,
 GPS coordinates, height, and diameter at breast height (at 1.2 m from collar) were stored.
 Starting from the aforementioned data, the sanitary conditions of each sampling area were expressed by
 using two parameters: (1) the phytosanitary class (PC) and (2) the incidence of the phytosanitary class within
 a sampling area (I%).
 The phytosanitary class (PC) is a numerical index describing the health conditions of a tree and may assume
 values ranging from 0 to 4, corresponding with an increasing intensity of damage. In particular, this value
 summarizes a visual scale of decline (Council regulation EEC N.3528/86 on the protection of forests in the
 Community against atmospheric pollution – Bruxelles 1986), based on two parameters namely (i) defoliation
 and (ii) discoloration of leaves. In this study, the scale has been modified by including symptoms of trunk
 and main roots (Tab. 1). Assuming that the symptoms detected on trees within a sampling area were quite
 homogenous and attributable to a specific PC, the sampling area was described by using the phytosanitary
 class determined for its trees.

 Tab. 1: Description and features of the different phytosanitary classes. Damage on canopy, information on defoliation
 and discoloration parameters are also reported.
 Tab. 1: Descrizione e caratteristiche delle diverse classi fitosanitarie con le indicazioni dei principali parametri: danni
 sulla chioma, defogliazione e decolorazione.
   Phytosanitary class        Description            Phytosanitary class features          Defoliation       Discoloration

                                                 No visible changes of the considered
             0             Healthy plant                                                        -                 -
                                                 parameters.

                                                 Weak visible changes of branches
                           Weak decay of
             1                                   and/or leaves - absence of epicormic        10-25%            10-25%
                           canopy
                                                 shoots.

                                                 Evident visible changes of branches
                           Evident decay of
            2a                                   and/or leaves - absence of epicormic        26-60%            26-60%
                           canopy
                                                 shoots.

                           Evident decay of      Evident visible changes mainly on
            2b                                                                                  -                 -
                           trunk                 trunk and/or root system

                           Serious decay of      Serious visible changes of all plant
             3             canopy, trunk and     organs as canopy/trunk/root system -         >26%              >26%
                           roots                 presence of epicormic shoots.

             4             Death plant           Death of all plant organs.                     -                 -




 By evaluating the percentage of trees exhibiting the characteristic symptoms of the specific PC within a
 sampling area, the incidence (I%) of a given PC in the sampling area was calculated. In detail, the incidence
 of each PC in that specific area could assume one of the following percentage values: <10%; 10-25%; 26-
 60%; 61-90%; >90%.

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C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La         Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 Finally, among all sampling areas, permanent sampling areas, defined as sites that show over 50% of
 incidence of trees classified in PC 2a, 2b, 3, or the area designated as PC 4, were selected with the aim of
 monitoring intensively (at least one survey per year) the health conditions of stands characterized by severe
 symptoms of decay.

 Results

 Overall, during the monitoring activities, 81 sampling areas were circumscribed, among which 54 in oak
 stands and 27 in beech. In detail, the sampling areas were distributed in the three Sicilian Regional Parks
 under study as follows: 33 into the Nebrodi Park (15 in oak and 18 in beech stands), 23 into the Madonie
 Park (20 in oak and 3 in beech stands), and 25 into the Etna Park (19 in oak and 6 in beech stands) (see Tab.
 2). Among all sampling areas, 68 were characterized by trees showing different symptoms of decay
 (including phytosanitary classes 1-4), while in 13 (8 of which in the Etna Park) only asymptomatic trees
 were recognized (classified in PC 0). Details on phytosanitary classes and their distribution into the studied
 Regional Parks are reported in Tab. 3.

 Tab. 2: List of sampling areas circumscribed in the three Regional Parks along with information on municipality and
 locality. Sampling areas are labeled by using an alphanumeric code, with progressive Arabic numbers preceded by a
 letter indicating the Park (M: Madonie; E: Etna; N: Nebrodi).
 Tab. 2: Aree di saggio individuate nei diversi comuni dei tre Parchi Naturali della Sicilia. Le aree sono indicate con un
 codice costituito da una lettera e un numero (M: Madonie; E: Etna; N: Nebrodi).
                                                MADONIE REGIONAL PARK
                                                                                 Beech sampling         N. of sampling
      Municipality                 Locality          Oak sampling area ID
                                                                                      area ID                areas
                               Piano Sempria         M1 – M2 – M3 – M6                                          4
                                Piano Pomo                 M4 – M5                                              2
      Castelbuono
                                                   M12 – M13 – M14 – M15
                                 Bosco Cava                                                                     5
                                                            – M16
                                                    M7 – M8 – M9 – M10 –
        Collesano                  Pomieri                                                                      5
                                                             M11
                                 Piano Cervi                                        M20 – M21                   2
          Isnello
                               Portella Piana                M22                                                1
                               Serre di Corco         M17 – M18 – M19                                           3
    Petralia Sottana
                              Piano Battaglia                                          M23                      1
                       TOTAL:                                 20                         3                     23
                                                 ETNA REGIONAL PARK
                                                                                 Beech sampling         N. of sampling
      Municipality                 Locality          Oak sampling area ID
                                                                                      area ID                areas
                                   Cerrita               E1 – E2 – E4                                           3
          S. Alfio
                                  Cubania              E5 – E6 – E7 – E8                                        4
           Milo                Bosco Nicolosi                 E3                                                1
                             Caserma Pitarrone                E9                                                1
      Linguaglossa
                               Mandra del Re                 E10                                                1
                              Monte Crisimo                  E11                                                1
                              Parco Sciarone                 E12                                                1
        Randazzo             Felloni della Nave              E13                                                1
                              Monte Spagnolo                                            E22                     1
                            Monte Santa Maria                                           E23                     1
                              Feudo Soprano                  E14                                                1
         Maletto
                            Poggio del Monaco                E15                                                1
                                                                                                                       33
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



    Zafferana Etnea             C.da Ilice                     E16                                             1
      Biancavilla            Rugoro Grosso                     E17                                             1
        Adrano                Prato Fiorito                    E18                                             1
                                Mandra                                            E19 – E20 – E21              3
         Bronte
                             Monte La Nave                     E25                                             1
      Castiglione di
                               Timpa Rossa                                               E24                   1
          Sicilia
                       TOTAL                                19                            6                   25
                                               NEBRODI REGIONAL PARK
                                                                                  Beech sampling        N. of sampling
      Municipality               Locality            Oak sampling area ID
                                                                                     area ID                 areas
                           Bosco del Flascio              N1 – N2 – N3                                         3
       Randazzo
                              Fago Scuro                                                 N22                   1
                              C.da Buffali                     N4                                              1
                             C.da Cicogna                                               N5                     1
                            Monte Sollazzo                                              N6                     1
                             C.da Sollazzo                                             N19                     1
         Cesarò               Monte Soro                                             N11 – N12                 2
                            Lago Maulazzo                                              N13                     1
                          Pizzo dell’Incudine                 N16                                              1
                         Vallone Bello Ventre                                            N17                   1
                            Serra Stricatori                                             N18                   1
                              Pizzo Muto                                                 N7                    1
                             C.da Porcaria                     N8                                              1
      San Fratello
                             C.da Crocetta                     N9                                              1
                         Monte Fossa del Lupo                                            N10                   1
      Alcara Li Fusi        Bosco Saracina                                               N14                   1
         Bronte                 Segheria                      N15                                              1
                              C.da Scarna                                                N20                   1
         Troina
                         C.da Fontana Bianca                  N21                                              1
         Longi            Bosco Mangalaviti                                          N23 – N33                 2
        Maniace            Bosco Petrosino                    N24                                              1
                              Pizzo Buschi                                               N25                   1
         Capizzi            Vallone Brunelli                                             N26                   1
                          Pizzo Manca Badia                                              N30                   1
                                 Tassita                                                 N27                   1
        Caronia            Cozzo della Testa                  N28                                              1
                                Piano Re                      N29                                              1
       S. Agata di
                           Pizzo Monachello                   N31                                              1
        Militello
        Militello
                         C.da Fontana Impiccia                                           N32                   1
       Rosmarino
                       TOTAL                                   13                        20                   33




 Tab. 3: Distribution of the recognized phytosanitary classes within the sampling areas belonging to the three Regional
 Parks studied.
 Tab. 3: Distribuzione delle classi fitosanitarie individuate nelle aree di saggio dei popolamenti di faggio e di querce dei
 tre parchi regionali siciliani.
         Regional Parks                                             Phytosanitary classes
                                        0              1              2a             2b              3              4
 34
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La      Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



               Oak stands          5             2              1             8              3             -
   Etna        Beech stands        3              -             -             3              -             -
                       Total       8             2              1             11             3             -
               Oak stands          1             5              7             2              4             1
   Madonie     Beech stands        1              -             1             1              -             -
                       Total       2             5              8             3              4             1
               Oak stands          2             7              3              -             3             -
   Nebrodi     Beech stands        1             5              4             4              4             -
                       Total       3             12             7             4              7             -


 In the Nebrodi Park, on a total of 33 sampling areas, 30 showed trees with severe symptoms of decay, mainly
 related to woody parts and canopy (PC 2.a, 2.b and 3). In the Madonie Park the greatest frequency of
 sampling areas characterized by decaying trees was observed; in particular, among the 23 circumscribed
 sampling areas, 21 exhibited trees with severe symptoms of decay with a preponderance of class 1 and class
 2.a (i.e.: weak and evident decay on canopy, respectively). Otherwise, in the Etna Park, the lowest frequency
 of sampling areas characterized by declining trees was observed. Moreover, in the Etna Park, the frequency
 of damage on canopy was significantly less than the Nebrodi and Madonie Parks; in fact, only 12% of
 sampling areas were attributable to phytosanitary classes 1 and 2.a. By contrast, significant damage was
 observed on woody parts; in fact, in 64% of sampling areas characterized by declining trees, 11 out of 17
 were classified as 2.b phytosanitary class.
 Sanitary conditions of oak stands
 The monitoring activity carried out in the three Sicilian Regional Parks revealed a generalized severe decay
 of oak stands; in fact, 85% of sampling areas in oaks showed symptomatic trees (i.e.: 46 of 54).
 The distribution of phytosanitary classes, along with the different typologies of oak forests, is summarized in
 Fig. 2. It is interesting to note that only the mesophile oak stands exhibited symptoms of decay attributable to
 all the phytosanitary classes (with the majority classified in 1, 2.a and 2.b). Regarding the geographical
 distribution of the phytosanitary classes in the three Regional Parks (Tab. 3), all classes were identified in the
 oak stands belonging to the Madonie Park, while in the Nebrodi Park damage was mainly observed on the
 canopy with a preponderance of trees classified in 1 and 2.a PC. The most severe decay was observed on
 symptomatic trees belonging to oak stands of the Etna Park (i.e.: 2.b and 3 PC), even if in this park the
 majority of sampling areas were characterized by asymptomatic trees (i.e.: PC 0).
 With respect to the typology of damage recognized in the monitored oaks of the Regional Parks, in the
 Nebrodi and Madonie Parks, symptoms typically related to a generalized decline of oak trees mainly
 affecting canopy (i.e.: PC 1 and 2.a) were observed; in the latter, the most common were represented by a
 reduced number of new branches, local defoliation, wilting of branches, as well as specific leaf lesions, such
 as necrotic and chlorotic spots, and, possibly, damage caused by phytophagous insects (e.g.: erosion along
 the leaf margin and leaf strains). Damages affecting woody parts (summarized in PC 2.b) were clearly
 exhibited by turkey and mesophile oaks in the Etna Park; in detail, the symptoms were represented by
 hyperplasia, bark stripping and splitting, woody-rot, red-brown areas on the bark, necrosis of tissues, and




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C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La           Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343




 Fig. 2: Distribution of phytosanitary classes in the sampling areas along with the different typology of oaks in the
 Regional parks.
 Fig. 2: Distribuzione delle classi fitosanitarie nelle aree di saggio per le diverse specie di quercia presenti nei
 popolamenti dei parchi siciliani.

 production of exudates. Finally, serious decay of canopy, trunk and roots (described in PC 3) was observed
 in all the parks studied. In detail, pubescent and turkey oaks showed damage on canopy and decay of woody
 parts. Among the latter one, bark splitting mainly occurred; this kind of lesion was usually located about 30-
 50 cm above the collar and deepened on the trunk, exhibiting various sizes and producing brown exudates;
 sometimes, by removing the bark, necrosis of internal wood was also observed.
 The incidence of the phytosanitary classes within the 54 sampling areas is summarized in Fig. 3. Data clearly
 indicate that phytosanitary classes 2.a and 2.b, which include symptoms of decay mainly related to canopy,
 are the most abundant, recurring in 21 of the total of analyzed sampling areas. Within the latter group, the
 incidence of the aforementioned PC classes ranged from 26-60% (for 7 sampling areas) to 61-90% (for 5
 sampling areas). The statistical incidence of classes characterized by severe symptoms related to canopy
 clearly suggested a generalized state of decay of oak stands. This evidence is supported also by the relevant
 number of sampling areas characterized by PC 3, with an incidence of more than 90% in one of




 Fig. 3: Incidence (I%) of the phytosanitary classes within the sampling areas in oak stands.
 Fig. 3: Incidenza (I%) delle diverse classi fitosanitarie nelle aree di saggio dei popolamenti di quercia.


 36
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La           Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 them. Finally, besides the relatively low incidence (10-25%), one sampling area localized in the Madonie
 Park exhibited the death of trees and in fact it was classified as PC 4.
 In Tab. 4, phytosanitary classes of each sampling area along with the incidence (I%) indicate the overall
 sanitary conditions of oak stands. A relevant number of sampling areas (4 in the Madonie Park, 8 in the Etna
 Park and 6 in the Nebrodi Park) exhibit a severe decline, as characterized by an incidence of more than 50%
 of phytosanitary classes 2.a, 2.b, and 3, and with trees classified in PC 4. On the basis of the health
 conditions of trees of these sampling areas, these oak stands were selected as permanent sampling areas (see
 Fig. 4).

 Tab. 4: Overview of the sanitary conditions of the oak stands analyzed in the three Regional Parks. For each oak stand,
 the sampling area code (ID), the phytosanitary class (PC) and the relative incidence (I%) are reported. Permanent
 sampling areas are in bold.
 Tab. 4: Sintesi della situazione fitosanitaria dei boschi di quercia nei tre parchi regionali siciliani. Per ciascun tipo di
 popolamento sono indicate le aree di saggio e per ciascuna di esse la classe fitosanitaria (PC) e la relativa incidenza
 (I%). In neretto sono indicate le aree di saggio permanenti.

             Madonie Regional Park                         Etna Regional Park                     Nebrodi Regional Park
   Typology of oak                              Typology of oak                           Typology of oak
                         ID     PC       I%                          ID    PC      I%                        ID    PC           I%
   stands                                       stands                                    stands
                       M18       1     26-60                        E7     2b    10-25                      N20     1      26-60
                                                Quercus spp.                              Q. cerris
                       M19       1     26-60                        E8     2b    10-25                      N21     1      26-60
                                                F. sylvatica                              F. sylvatica
                       M5       2a     10-25                        E9     2b    10-25                      N32     1      26-60
   Quercus spp.        M2       2a     26-60                        E1     2b    26-60                      N3      0       >90
   F. sylvatica        M6       2b     10-25                        E2     2b    26-60                      N16     0       >90
                                                Q. cerris
                       M1        3     10-25                        E4     2b    20-40    Q. cerris         N29     1      61-90
                                                Q. pubescenss.l.
                       M4        3     10-25                        E5     2b    61-90                      N1      3      26-60
                       M3        4     10-25                        E6      3    61-90                      N2      3      26-60
                       M7        1     26-60                        E10     0     >90     Quercus spp.      N15 2a         61-90
                       M17       1     26-60                        E11     0     >90     Q. gussonei       N31     3      61-90
                       M9       2a     10-25    Q. pubescenss.l. E12        0     >90     Q. cerris         N4      1      26-60
   Quercus spp.
                       M11      2a     10-25                        E14     0     >90     Q. pubescens s.l. N28     1      26-60
                       M8       2a     26-60                        E17     0     >90     Q. pubescens s.l. N24     1      10-25
                       M10      2a     26-60                        E15     1    10-25    Q. pubescens s.l. N8     2a      61-90
                                                Q. pubescens s.l.
                       M14       0      >90                         E25 2a        >90     Q. ilex           N9     2a      61-90
                                                Q. ilex
                       M13       1     61-90                        E3     2b     <10
   Q. pubescens        M12      2b     26-60    Q. ilex/Quercus     E16     3    61-90
   Q. ilex                                      spp.
                       M16       3     26-60                        E18     1    26-60
                                                Q. ilex
                       M15       3     61-90                        E13     3     >90
   Q. ilex/Q. suber    M22      2a     61-90


 Sanitary condition of beech stands
 Globally, the 27 sampling areas assessed in beech stands showed better health conditions than that of the
 oaks; in fact, about 19% did not show symptoms of decay (i.e.: 5 sampling areas were classified in PC 0)
 and no sampling areas were classified in PC 4.
 The phytosanitary class 2.b was the most abundant (covering 8 sampling areas), with a low-medium
 incidence (in the majority of sampling areas it was always less than 60%).


                                                                                                                          37
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 The higher value of phytosanitary class was attributed to only 4 sampling areas, with a medium-high
 incidence ranging from 26-60% to 61-90%. It is noteworthy that all the aforementioned sampling areas were
 localized in the Nebrodi Park (see Tab. 5 and Fig. 4), suggesting the need for special attention to beech
 stands of this Regional Park. Also in this case, the sampling areas N7, N10, N22 and N23 were selected as
 permanent sampling areas.




 Fig. 4. Geographical distribution of the analyzed sampling areas in oak and beech stands. For each sampling area, the
 relative phytosanitary class along with its incidence (I%) is reported. The cross indicates the sampling areas selected as
 permanent.
 Fig. 4. Distribuzione geografica delle aree di saggio di quercia e faggio monitorate con l’indicazione delle classi
 fitosanitarie e dell’incidenza (I%). Nella mappa sono anche indicate le aree di saggio permanenti.


 Signs and symptoms of fungal infections
 As mentioned previously, the health conditions of a stand are influenced by both abiotic and biotic stresses.
 Among the latter ones, fungal pathogens represent a serious cause of damage. In the framework of the
 38
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La           Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343


 Tab. 5: Overview of the sanitary conditions of the beech stands analyzed in the three Regional Parks. For each oak
 stand, the sampling area code (ID), the phytosanitary class (PC) and the relative incidence (I%) are reported. Permanent
 sampling areas are in bold.
 Tab. 5: Sintesi della situazione fitosanitaria dei boschi di faggio nei tre parchi regionali siciliani. Per ciascun tipo di
 popolamento sono indicate le aree di saggio (ID) e per ciascuna di esse la classe fitosanitaria (PC) e la relativa incidenza
 (I%). In neretto sono indicate le aree di saggio permanenti.

       Madonie Regional Park                        Etna Regonal Park                        Nebrodi Regional Park
  Typology of                               Typology of                                Typology of
                 ID    PC     I%                            ID    PC           I%                     ID    PC      I%
  beech stand                               beech stand                                beech stand
                M23     0     >90                           E19     0          >90                    N30     0     >90
  F. sylvatica  M21 2°       10-25                          E20     0          >90                    N5      1    26-60
                M20 2b       10-25                          E24     0          >90                    N26     1    26-60
                                            F. sylvatica
                                                            E21    2b         10-25                   N33     1    61-90
                                                            E22    2b         10-25                   N14    2a    26-60
                                                            E23    2b         10-25                   N17    2a    26-60
                                                                                       F. sylvatica
                                                                                                      N23    2a    61-90
                                                                                                      N11    2b    26-60
                                                                                                      N12    2b    26-60
                                                                                                      N7     2b    61-90
                                                                                                      N13     3    26-60
                                                                                                      N19     3    26-60
                                                                                       F. sylvatica
                                                                                          Taxus       N27     1    26-60
                                                                                         baccata
                                                                                       F. sylvatica   N18    2a    26-60
                                                                                           Ilex       N10     3    61-90
                                                                                        aquifolium
                                                                                                      N32     1    26-60
                                                                                       F. sylvatica
                                                                                                      N22    2b    26-60
                                                                                         Q. cerris
                                                                                                      N25     3    26-60

 monitoring activities carried out in the Sicilian Regional Parks, some of the symptoms and signs observed on
 both oak and beech stands can be clearly associated with fungi.
 In detail, in oak stands, basidiocarps of Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff) With. and Polyporus sp. Fr., often
 causing dry rot (Fig. 6 a-b), were recognized on several severely decayed oaks in sampling areas classified
 as PC 3 in the Madonie Park. On highly damaged evergreen oaks of the Etna Park and circumscribed in
 sampling areas with PC 3 (e.g.: E16), basidiocarps of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) Karst., (common causal
 agent of root rots) (Fig. 6.c) were observed on the collar.
 Ascocarps of Biscogniauxia mediterranea (De Not.) Kuntze, the causal agent of charcoal canker, were
 recognized on trunks of several oaks in the Nebrodi and Etna Parks. In particular, they were observed both
 on asymptomatic and decayed trees of pubescent oaks (e.g.: in E25 and N15 sampling areas) (Fig. 6.d), as
 well as on asymptomatic turkey oaks (e.g.: in N31 sampling area).
 A typical subcortical white mycelium of Armillaria sp. Fr. was observed on the collar of several Quercus
 cerris L. belonging to the Nebrodi Park (e.g.: in N2 sampling area). Finally, leaf lesions caused by
 Mycrosphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl. were observed on adventitious shoots of pubescent oaks (e.g.: in
 E25 sampling area) (Fig. 6.e-f).
 As for the beech stands, stromata of Biscogniauxia nummularia (Bull.) Kuntze, the ascomycota causal agent
 of charcoal canker (Fig. 7.a) were recognized on trunks and on the main branches of beech trees belonging to
 several sampling areas classified in PC 2.b; in particular, the affected trees showed the following symptoms
 of decay: defoliations, bark splitting, and bark cankers. This fungus recurred in 11 of 27 sampling areas.
                                                                                                           39
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La       Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 Moreover, in the Nebrodi Park, Biscogniauxia nummularia (Bull.) Kuntze was identified on holly trees (Ilex
 acquifolium L.) belonging to a mixed beech stand.
 Basidiocarps of Fomes fomentarius (L.) Kichx, the causal agent of dry rot, (Fig. 7.b) were observed on the
 collar of beech trees belonging to the Nebrodi Park (e.g.: in N25 sampling area).
 Finally, bark cankers associated with Neonectria radicicola Gerlach & L. Nilsson infection (Fig. 7.c-d) were
 observed on the collar of several beech trees in the Madonie Park (e.g.: in M20 sampling area). It is worthy
 of note that the identification of this pathogen was performed by analyzing the colony morphology as well as
 the conidia features of a pure culture isolated on PDA medium, as specific symptoms were not observed on
 the decaying trees.




 Fig. 6: Examples of damage caused by fungal pathogens in oaks. (a) Basidiocarps of Fistulina hepatica and (b)
 Polyporus sp. on trunk; (c) root rot by a Ganoderma lucidum infection on holm oak; (d) charcoal canker by a
 Biscogniauxia mediterranea infection on branches of pubescent oak; (e-f) Microsphaera alphitoides infections on
 adventitious shoots of pubescent oak.
 Fig. 6: Esempi di sintomi e segni causati da patogeni fungini su quercia. (a) Carpofori di Fistulina hepatica e (b)
 Polyporus sp. sul fusto; (c) marciume radicale da infezioni di Ganoderma lucidum su leccio; (d) Stroma carbonioso di
 Biscogniauxia mediterranea su rami di roverella; (e-f) infezioni di Mycrosphaera alphitoides su giovani ricacci di
 roverella.


 40
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La          Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343




 Fig. 7: Examples of damage caused by fungal pathogens in beech trees. (a) Stromata of Biscogniauxia nummularia on a
 beech tree trunk.; (b) basidiocarp of Fomes fomentarius on the collar of a beech tree; (c) bark cankers caused by a
 Neonectria radicicola infection on the trunk of a beech tree and (d) conidia of N. radicicola.
 Fig. 7: Esempi di sintomi e segni causati da patogeni fungini su.faggio (a) Stromi di Biscogniauxia nummularia sul
 fusto di alberi di faggio; (b) Basidioma di Fomes fomentarius alla base del tronco di un albero di faggio; (c) Cancri alla
 base del tronco su albero di faggio causati da Neonectria radicicola e (d) conidi di N. radicicola.

 Discussion

 In this study, surveys carried out in the Sicilian Regional Parks highlighted a generalized decline of oak and
 beech forests. In fact, the majority of the circumscribed sampling areas were characterized by the presence of
 numerous damaged trees exhibiting severe symptoms of decline.
 In general, beech stands were in better condition, with the exception of the Nebrodi Park, where the worst
 health conditions were recognized with more than 90% of the circumscribed sampling areas characterized by
 symptomatic trees. In oak forests, the worst health conditions were shown by turkey and mesophile stands
 belonging to the Etna and Madonie Parks, in which trees were mainly characterized by severe symptoms of
 decay of the canopy (classified in PC 1 and 2.a).
 Even if a significant disturbance due to pasture activities was recognized (responsible for soil compaction,
 pauperization of undergrowth and decrease of adventitious shoots), the symptoms of decay observed on
 canopy are more probably due to the so-called generalized decline of forest stands (DELATOUR, 1983;
 MANION, 1991; THOMAS et al., 2002). This is a complex typology of decay resulting from the interaction
 between abiotic (mainly unsuitable climatic conditions) and biotic stresses, and characterized by
 predisposing, trigger and concomitant factors.
 Among predisposing factors, the wind direction as well as its periodicity have to be mentioned, especially
 considering its influence on exposed trees. For example, during the summer, the Sirocco hot winds determine
                                                                                                                        41
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La     Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 the sudden increment of the evapotranspiration that consequently increases the demand for water in oak
 trees, which is in contrast with the typical local summer aridity.
 The prolonged dry season of the last two decades may be considered a trigger stress factor for mesophile oak
 stands. Finally, pests and opportunist fungal pathogens represent the most common concomitant factors. In
 particular, fungal pathogens mainly intervene on plants stressed by predisposing and trigger factors, even
 causing their death.
 The results obtained by the monitoring activities on oak and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks have
 highlighted the crucial role of the fungal pathogens in influencing the health conditions of the analyzed
 declining trees. The recognized fungal pathogens represent the most common fungal species in temperate
 and Mediterranean forests. According to the obtained results, they seem to play a quite relevant role in the
 decline of oak and beech forests of the Sicilian Regional Park.
 In several stands, a high incidence of endophytic fungi, as Biscogniauxia mediterranea (De Not.) Kuntze
 (mainly present in the oak stands) and B. nummularia (Bull.) Kuntze (beech stands), were recognized. These
 species are notoriously associated with the generalized decline of forests (GRANATA and AGOSTEO, 1991;
 CELLERINO et al., 1991; FRANCESCHINI et al., 2000; CELLERINO et al., 2002; FRANCESCHINI et al., 2002;
 SAIKKONEN, 2007; BONCALDO et al., 2007). In fact, even if neutral or symbiotic relationships represent the
 most common biotic interactions established between endophytic fungi and trees, several studies testified
 that particular environmental conditions might promote the pathogen behavior of the endophytic fungi
 (KOWALSKI, 1991; LUISI et al. 1995; VANNINI et al., 1996; VANNINI, 1998; ANSELMI et al., 2000; RAGAZZI,
 2004). In particular, endophytic fungi are considered by several authors highly pathogenic towards trees
 afflicted by water stress, so that they may be used as bio-indicator of water stress in forest stands (NUGENT et
 al., 2005).
 Among fungi causing rots, the presence of Armillaria sp. Fr. and Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) Karst., which
 are typical causal agents of root and collar rot, was recognized. Usually, the causal agents of rots, such as
 Polyporus sp. Fr., Fistulina hepatica (Schaeff) With. and Fomes fomentarius (L.) Kichx, are symptomatic of
 a progressive ageing of trees. However, in the Sicilian forests, they seem to be strictly related to the
 progressive decline and, sometimes, to the death of the trees.
 Even though for the majority of symptoms the causal agents were identified, in some cases, the etiology of
 numerous concomitant symptoms affecting canopy both in oak and beech trees could not be established;
 however, some hypotheses can be proposed. The severe decay observed on oak stands belonging to the Etna
 Park as well as on beech in the Nebrodi Park was globally characterized by foliar thinning, foliar chlorosis,
 small leaves, defoliation, wilting of branches, and growth of epicormic shoots. The concomitant
 manifestation of the aforementioned symptoms suggests a generalized decline of root system, which could be
 related to the action of soil-borne pathogens such as several Phytophthora species. In fact, recent and
 ongoing studies on Phytophthora have evidenced the role of this pathogen as causal agent of numerous
 diseases affecting oak and beech forests in Europe and America (RAGAZZI et al., 1989; BRASIER, 1996;
 RIZZO and GARBELOTTO, 2003; GARBELOTTO and HUBERLI, 2006; BALCI et al., 2010; JUNG, 2009; JUNG et
 al., 2000; JUNG and BLASCHKE, 2004; JUNG et al., 2013; Jung et al., 2016; SCANU et al., 2013; SCANU et al.,
 2014).

 Conclusions

 For the first time, a systematic monitoring of the health conditions of Sicilian oak and beech forests has been
 carried out in the framework of the Forestry Management Plan bestowed by the Sicilian Regional

 42
C. Rizza, S. Scibetta, A. Pane, F. Maetzke, D. S. La      Italian Journal of Mycology vol. 45 (2016) ISSN 2531-7342
Mela Veca, S. Cullotta, G. Granata, F. La Spada, F.
Aloi, R. Faedda, S. O. Cacciola
DOI: 10.6092/issn.2531-7342/6343



 Department for Agriculture and Forestry. The chosen method has been deduced from a well-established
 approach successfully applied for the methodical studies of the health conditions of forest stands in other
 Italian regions (CENNI et al., 1998). The overall data have made it possible to define the global sanitary
 conditions of oak and beech stands in the Sicilian Regional Parks, also supplying information on the main
 causal agents of severe symptoms on roots and trunks. In these perspectives, the research could be used as a
 support case for the assessment of appropriate management planning for the preservation of the local forests
 cared for by the Regional Phytosanitary Forests Institute (SIDOTI, 2011). In this way, the standards required
 and suggested by programs such as PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme) and
 FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) could be reached in the Sicilian Regional Parks.
 Despite the really promising results of the present study, the current research is far from its end, especially in
 the framework of the etiological definition of some symptoms related to the action of soil-borne pathogens
 such as Phytophthora spp.. The first step in the agenda will consist of performing sampling campaigns by
 using specific isolation methods (i.e.: from soil samples using baiting methods, from water bodies using
 baiting methods, from infected roots, from bark samples) and in analyzing environmental samples (soil,
 water, vegetable structures) through molecular methods (ERWIN and RIBEIRO, 1996; SCIBETTA et al., 2012).
 Only in this way will it be possible to better understand and eventually define the geographical distribution
 of Phytophthora species in the studied forests as well as the possible role of this pathogen in the decline of
 oak and beech stands in the Sicilian natural parks.

 Acknowledgement

 This study was partly supported by a PFR 2009-13 (Monitoring of the phytosanitary conditions of the
 Sicilian forests) of the Sicily Region.

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