Landscape history in the subalpine karst region of Moncodeno (Lombardy Prealps, Northern Italy)

In situ larch stumps have been found above the present forest line in the karst region of Moncodeno, Grigna Settentrionale, northern Italy, an area where very few trees currently grow. Samples from living trees at the treeline and in the forest nearby were collected to develop a reference chronology for cross-dating the stumps. The latter span the period between 1218 and 1900, and together with the living trees, which cover the last 150 years, they have led to the development of a 784-year larch tree-ring chronology (1218-2001). Age and location of the stumps reflect past human activity. Deforestation and grazing have intensified the erosion processes in the area. The soil has thinned out and fragmented allowing karst landforms, previously buried by the soil, to emerge. Presently, the rocky outcrops limit the establishment of young larches so that only few scattered trees are currently found.