Assessment of forest structure, biodiversity, and ecological functionality along different management and environmental gradients through multi-temporal and multi-scalar approaches

The loss of biodiversity in forest ecosystems is a pivotal issue within the framework of ecosystem adaptation to global changes. The causes are to be found from land-use changes and alterations in biogeochemical balances to biological invasions and extreme climatic events. Unsustainable forest management also leads to excessive simplification of structure and composition.

The project aims to investigate the relationship between forest structure and functionality through multi-spatial and multi-temporal analysis and to link it with multi-taxonomic biodiversity (with a particular focus on vascular flora) and the functionality of biogeochemical processes.

In this context, the effects of wildlife and natural disturbance events on the forest ecosystem are also considered. The assessment is carried out through interdisciplinary collaborations involving experts in remote sensing, forest ecology and management, plant physiology, animal and plant taxonomy, as well as soil science and chemistry. Forest structure is analysed using remote sensing techniques combined with on-the-ground measurements of dendro-auxometric parameters. Variations in structure and functions over time and space are examined through generalized linear models and machine learning techniques, in collaboration with experts from other institutions.

These comparative studies are conducted on Italian forest ecosystems across different gradients of naturalness and management, as well as geographic (from peri-urban areas to the most remote mountain regions) and environmental conditions. Best management practices and guidelines will be provided to maximize biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as to enhance the adaptation of forest ecosystems to global changes.