The use of maps as a monitoring tool of protected area management

Leaf area index (LAI) of vegetation types developing inside the protected Estate of Castelporziano was analyzed in the year 2013 and compared with the previous studies carried out in the years 1995–1997. Our recent data do not show significant differences in the structure and LAI of the vegetation types not subjected to thinning with respect to the previous studies. The results on the whole highlight that the conservative management carried out in the Castelporziano Estate has had positive effects leading to a high number of large tree size in the forest stands. The multiple linear regression analysis shows that the photon flux density monitored at soil level is related to plant height (H), total plant basal area and LAI in the considered forest types. In addition, plants renewal was analyzed in some thinned and un-thinned areas of Quercus ilex forests and broadleaf mixed forests inside the Estate. The spatial patterns of light availability within these forest types influence the regeneration patterns of woody species: a higher seedling regeneration both in un-thinning and thinning areas was observed in Q. ilex evergreen forests (5.0 ± 2.0 and 1.0 ± 0.5 seedlings m−2, respectively) than in broadleaf mixed forests (0.40 ± 0.10 and 0.10 ± 0.03 seedlings m−2, respectively) due to the large germination capability of Q. ilex. LAI is a key parameter in evaluating ecosystem structure. The used maps may be considered a rapid and cost-effective method to have an overview on the functional state of the forest ecosystems as well as the possibility to highlight rapidly the occurrence of a local disturbance state. Old growth forests like those under study are important reference sites for conservation strategies involving a broad range of ecosystem services. These types of data may be useful to achieve a database for management projects in the Presidential Estate of Castelporziano.