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Alpine Pioneer Plants in Soil Bioengineering for Slope Stabilization and Restoration: Results of a Preliminary Analysis of Seed Germination and Future Perspectives

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  • Luca Giupponi

    (Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas–CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Via Morino 8, 25048 Edolo (BS), Italy
    Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape and Agroenergy-DiSAA, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan (MI), Italy)

  • Valeria Leoni

    (Centre of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas–CRC Ge.S.Di.Mont., University of Milan, Via Morino 8, 25048 Edolo (BS), Italy)

Abstract

Stabilization of slopes subject to landslide by measures with low impact, such as those of bioengineering, is a topic of interest. The use of scarcely studied alpine pioneer plants could contribute to innovation in soil bioengineering and restoration ecology but to use them, knowledge of the ex situ germinability of their seeds is fundamental. This research analysed the germinability of seeds of nine alpine pioneer species ( Papaver aurantiacum , Rumex scutatus , Tofieldia calyculata , Pulsatilla alpina , Silene glareosa , Adenostyles alpina , Dryas octopetala, Laserpitium peucedanoides and Laserpitium krapfii ) treated with water, gibberellic acid (GA3) and/or calcium carbonate at room temperature. The seeds had different responses to the treatments: Laserpitium peucedanoides , L. krapfii and Silene glareosa showed difficulty in germinating (germination < 2.5%), while Dryas octopetala had good germination (39–61%) regardless of treatment. GA3 significantly increased the seed germination rate of Papaver aurantiacum , Pulsatilla alpina , Rumex scutatus and Tofieldia calyculata, while the addition of calcium carbonate made the seeds of Rumex scutatus and Tofieldia calyculata germinate more quickly. Results are discussed focusing on the perspectives of using alpine pioneer species in future soil bioengineering work for slopes stabilization and restoration, and on the actions that stakeholders should take to make this happen.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Giupponi & Valeria Leoni, 2020. "Alpine Pioneer Plants in Soil Bioengineering for Slope Stabilization and Restoration: Results of a Preliminary Analysis of Seed Germination and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:7190-:d:408135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gian Battista Bischetti & Mario Di Fi Dio & Florin Florineth, 2014. "On the Origin of Soil Bioengineering," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(5), pages 583-595, October.
    2. Marcello De Vitis & Holly Abbandonato & Kingsley W. Dixon & Giles Laverack & Costantino Bonomi & Simone Pedrini, 2017. "The European Native Seed Industry: Characterization and Perspectives in Grassland Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Francesco Pagliacci & Pasquale Pavone & Margherita Russo & Anna Giorgi, 2020. "Regional structural heterogeneity: evidence and policy implications for RIS3 in macro-regional strategies," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(6), pages 765-775, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Valeria Leoni & Gigliola Borgonovo & Luca Giupponi & Angela Bassoli & Davide Pedrali & Marco Zuccolo & Alessia Rodari & Annamaria Giorgi, 2021. "Comparing Wild and Cultivated Arnica montana L. from the Italian Alps to Explore the Possibility of Sustainable Production Using Local Seeds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.

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