Main characteristics of the sampled areas in the study sites.
| Study site | Altitude (m a.s.l.) | Sampled area (m2) | Slope | Dominant tree species | Mean canopy cover (%) | Soil type | Irrigation input (mm) | Understory management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo | 90 | 1,000 | Plain (< 5%) | Citrus spp., Eriobotrya japonica, Celtis australis, Laurus nobilis | 90% | Typic rhodoxeralfs | 500 | Mechanical weed control |
| Roccapalumba | 455 | 600 | Plain (< 10%) | Opuntia ficus-indica | 70% (within rows) | Typic pelloxererts | None | Mowing and tillage only in the inter-rows |
a.s.l.: above sea level