Does intensive cutting regime maintain lowland dry heathlands habitat? The case study of Milano Malpensa airport (Northern Italy)

• Published in: Urban forestry & urban greening Vol. 75; p. 127687
• Main Authors: Vegini, Emanuele, Cardarelli, Elisa, Martignoni, Marco, Lonati, Michele, Ravetto Enri, Simone
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01.09.2022
• Subjects: aircraft; Airfield; airports; botanical composition; Calluna; Calluna vulgaris; case studies; conservation status; Grassland; habitat conservation; habitat destruction; habitats; heathlands; introduced species; Italy; Molinia arundinacea; Mowing; population structure; Prunus serotina; soil; species richness; trees; urban forestry; Urbanisation; Italy; Grassland; Airfield; Urbanisation; MA; Mowing; Calluna; Prunus serotina; H1 to H3

Airports are anthropogenic settlements which can harbour large portions of open habitats, including grasslands, which may host high species richness. Milano Malpensa Airport is the second main Italian airfield. One of its main open habitats is lowland dry heathland, frequently mown to fulfil aircraf...