Periodic Reporting for period 1 - REINFORCE (Integrated landscape management for resilient mountain forests under global changes)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-06-14 al 2023-06-13
The MSCA-IF project REINFORCE aimed at developing novel, multi-scale and integrated forest management strategies with the goal of building more resilient mountain forest ecosystems to global changes. In particular, REINFORCE pursued three research objectives:
1) Assessing – to evaluate future forest landscapes scenarios under uncertain global changes using an advanced model of forest dynamics.
2) Planning – design and test novel forest management plans to foster resilience to uncertain global changes using the functional complex network approach.
3) Reinforcing – propose integrated forest landscape management plans at regional level engaging stakeholders in ranking management alternatives.
The project delivered several conclusive outcomes that provided a step forward towards: 1) the application of models of forest dynamics in the Alpine region, 2) the assessment of future forest development under global change stressors, 3) the validation of the functional network approach in forest management and the quantification of ecological resilience in forested landscapes.
REINFORCE also contributed in validating, by means of modelling, the functional complex network approach as a potential methods to enhance forest ecological resilience to global change. Simulation experiments in forests of Eastern North America embedding climate change, biotic disturbances and multiple management alternatives demonstrated that adopting a landscape-scale perspective by planning interventions strategically in space and adopting a functional trait approach to diversify forests is promising for enhancing ecological resilience indicators under unexpected global change stressors. It also demonstrated how proactive forest management can drive the future dynamics and adaptability of Mediterranean forests under climate change. The project also engaged with regional stakeholders to rank research priorities that are needed at regional level to deliver practical recommendations in adapting forest management.
Results obtained have been published in four scientific articles, and further studies will be submitted to scientific journals soon. The data generated from the project were also made available in open-access datasets. Project results have been presented at six international and national conferences, six lectures at universities, five invited oral presentations and a number of communication activities (video interviews, lecture for school, online articles, blog posts) that contributed in spreading awareness on the addressed topics of the project. Additional information on REINFORCE and its ongoing/follow-up research activities is available on the project webpage and on social media.
Additionally, REINFORCE set the stage for the application of models of forest dynamics in the Italian Alps, pivotal for eventually providing guidance to regional stakeholders and decision-makers for adapting forest management practices considering future stressors such as climate change and increasing natural disturbances. The research carried out under the project directly addressed issues related to climate change and the environment at multiple levels, contributing towards the European sustainable development goals of mitigating climate change and promoting a sustainable management of forests.