Windstorms are forest disturbances which generate canopy gaps. However, their effects on Mediterranean forests are understudied. To fill that research gap, changes in tree, cover, growth and soil features in Pinus halepensis and Pinus sylvestris plantations affected by windthrows were quantified. In each plantation, trees and soils in closed-canopy stands and gaps created by the windthrow were sampled. Changes in tree cover and radial growth were assessed by using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and dendrochronology, respectively. Soil features including texture, nutrients concentration and soil microbial community structure were also analyzed. Windthrows reduced tree cover and enhanced growth, particularly in the P. halepensis site, which was probably more severely impacted. Soil characteristics were also more altered by the windthrow in this site: the clay percentage increased in gaps, whereas K and Mg concentrations decreased. The biomass of Gram positive bacteria and actinomycetes increased in gaps, but the biomass of Gram negative bacteria and fungi decreased. Soil gaps became less fertile and dominated by bacteria after the windthrow in the P. halepensis site. We emphasize the relevance of considering post-disturbance time recovery and disturbance intensity to assess forest resilience within a multi-scale approach.

中文翻译：

---

风抛对易干旱松树人工林森林覆盖、树木生长和土壤特征的影响

风暴是森林干扰，会产生树冠间隙。然而，它们对地中海森林的影响尚未得到充分研究。为了填补这一研究空白，量化了受风抛影响的黑松和樟子松人工林中树木、覆盖物、生长和土壤特征的变化。在每个种植园中，对封闭式树冠林分和风抛造成的间隙中的树木和土壤进行采样。分别使用标准化差异植被指数 (NDVI) 和树木年代学评估树木覆盖和径向生长的变化。还分析了土壤特征，包括质地、养分浓度和土壤微生物群落结构。Windthrows 减少了树木覆盖并促进了生长，特别是在P. halepensis 中网站，这可能受到更严重的影响。该地点的风抛也改变了土壤特性：间隙中的粘土百分比增加，而 K 和 Mg 浓度降低。革兰氏阳性菌和放线菌的生物量间隙增加，革兰氏阴性菌和真菌的生物量减少。在P. halepensis场地发生风抛后，土壤间隙变得不那么肥沃，并以细菌为主。我们强调考虑干扰后时间恢复和干扰强度以在多尺度方法中评估森林恢复力的相关性。