SITE 1 Cansiglio (IT)

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SITE 1 – Cansiglio (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Veneto Region, in Province of Belluno (at the border with the Province of Treviso).

The management is directly carried on by the National Forest Service of Italy. It is included in the Natural

Biogenetic Reserve

Pian Parrocchia-Campo di Mezzo

(established in 1977).

The total area is 667 ha and the dominant species is the beech. The main management type is high forest

treated with shelterwood cuttings. Generally 700 to 1000 m

3

of wood are extracted per intervention, over 10

to 15 ha.

The forest is included in Special Protection Zones (ZPS, 79/409/CEE) and in Sites of Community Importance (SIC,

92/43/CEE). A census of Ungulates (

Cervus elaphus

) is operated by Province of Belluno and University of

Padova. Since 1996, the forest is also included in the italian network of the forest ecosystem monitoring

(CONECOFOR), part of the of the UN/ECE International Cooperative Programme of Forests (ICP Forests,

http://www.icpforest.org) that, in 2009-2010, was monitored under LIFE+ FutMon (http://www.futmon.org).

Factsheet for the selected test area

More specific name: Pian Parrocchia

General features

Management Authority Italian National Forest Service - CFS

Area (ha) 30-35

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84) 46°03' N, 12°23' E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 1100-1200

Landscape morphology Gently sloping with valleys

Bedrock Limestone, Marlstone (Cretaceous Med.-Sup.) Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d'Italia IGM 1:50000 F064 Aviano Carta Geologica d'Italia 1:100000 F023 Belluno

Climatic features

Temp med °C 5.6 (see also figure 1)

Temp max °C (average warmest month) 14.8, August (see also figure 1) Temp min °C (average coldest month) - 4, January (see also figure 1) Rainfalls (mm) 1660 (see also figure 1) Phytoclimatic region Fagetum

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Forest Management

Forest type High forest Beech (Fagus sylvatica), with sporadic silver fir (Abies alba) and spruce (Picea abies)

Main management type Shelterwood (moderate interventions) - Mainly even aged

Management plan In the past 10 years 25 ha/year of surface has been involved in harvesting and silvicultural operations. In the next future the same intensity is planned.

Present stages Mature, ultra mature high stand and regeneration stage are present. Intervention types Secondary cutting

Cutting – harvesting method Small group cutting

Machine - Forwarder method Skidding by tractors and winches Destination of the harvested material Firewood, round-wood

Health status Good

Extreme events None of relevance in the recent past

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods 9(10) areas of 2.8 to 3 ha with 3 plots in each area (27 circular plots with r =20 m) See figure 2

Age More than 100 years (to be more precisely assessed in the project) Basal area (average) (m2 ha-1) 40.67

Stem density (N ha-1) 320 Dominant height (m)

Increment (m3 ha-1) Height/diameter curve

Diameter distribution curve See figure 3 Stem quality

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Photo

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Figure 2.Layout design of Cansiglio Area

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SITE 2 - Chiarano Sparvera (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Abruzzo Region, Province of L’Aquila in a Regional Forest, included in the external

protection zone of the National Park of Abruzzo-Lazio-Molise and partially in Natura 2000 sites.

The total area is 766 ha and the main forest species is beech (95%).

The main historical management type is coppice with standards. The forest area is now under conversion to

high forest. In the last 20 years, the treatments were aimed at converting coppice to high forest and at

thinnings to increase structural diversity (also under LIFE NAT/IT/006244 and LIFE04 NAT/IT/00190).

Studies on Marsicano bear (

Ursus arctos marsicanus

) and census, studies on avifauna are carried on by the

Local Office for Biodiversity (UTB, Ufficio Territoriale per la Biodiversità) of Castel di Sangro (AQ) of the National

Forest Service (CFS).

The selected stand is not included in Sites of Community Importance (SIC) or Special Protection Zones (ZPS) of

Natura 2000 network.

Factsheet for the selected test area

More specific name: Chiarano-Sparvera regional forest

General features

Management Authority National Forest Service of Italy (CFS), Local Office of Castel di Sangro Area (ha) ~ 30 ha, the area consist of 2 parts separated by a stripe of meadow and

rocks (667 ha total area managed by the CFS office)

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84) 41°51' N, 13°57' E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 1700 - 1800

Landscape morphology Slope range 22°÷28,5° - Mainly exposure N-NE

Bedrock Cretaceous limestone

Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d’Italia IGM F 378-II San Lorenzo (1:25000), F 378 Scanno (1:50000). Carta Geologica d’Italia F378 (Scanno)

Climatic features

Temp med °C (*) 8.5*

Temp max °C (average warmest month) (*) 17*, July Temp min °C (average coldest month) (*) -0.2*, January Rainfalls (mm)

Phytoclimatic region Fagetum

Availability of local active meteorological station The closest is at Roccaraso (AQ) – 3 km bird distance. Modern weather station available also at Castel di Sangro (managed by CRA-CMA)

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*data from the meteorological station of Roccaraso (AQ) – 3 km bird distance, 1250 m a.s.l. (500 m under the demonstration area. Data can be corrected by the following factor: 0,6 °C each 100 m altitude variation).

Forest Management

Forest type Beech forest (Fagus sylvatica)

Main management type High forest of beech, evenaged, arising from a conversion of a former coppice with standards stand

Management plan In the biennium 2011-2012 a 10 ha surface harvesting is foreseen. In the past, the former coppice was started to be converted to high forest by releasing of about 1000-2000 individuals/ha. In the last 20 years selective thinning has been operated in order to increase ecosystem complexity; the old sprouts were not completely removed to have a high forest with an irregular structure.

Present stages In conversion to high forest (close to mature)

Intervention types Traditionally: thinning from below in order to open small gaps and sometimes to remove died and withered trees. Intervention to increase structural complexity, including creating dead material (laying and standing) were carried out in other part of the forest area. Under ManFor C.BD. mixed thinning from below and from above will be performed, aiming at leaving, for the future 40 or 80 candidate trees (opening also small gaps). It is planned to leave enough deadwood for biodiversity objectives. Cutting – harvesting method Small gaps cutting – thinning from below.

Machine - Forwarder method Because of the topography and the high degree of protection, wood material will be removed by animals or polyethylene conduits.

Destination of the harvested material Firewood

Health Good

Extreme events None of particular relevance in the recent past - Late frost in May 2012

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods 9(10) areas of 2.8 to 3 ha with 3 plots in each area (27 circular plots with r =13 m)1,3 ha (27 circular plots with r =13 m). See figure 4

Age Last thinning for the convertion to high stand in the 70s Basal area (average) (m2 ha-1) 39.88

Stem density (N ha-1) 1377

Dominant height (m) 16.44 m (see also figure 5) Increment (m3 ha-1)

Height/diameter curve See figure 5 Diameter distribution curve See figure 6 Stem quality

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Figure 4. Layout design of Chiarano-Sparvera Area

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SITE 3 - Lorenzago di Cadore (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the territory of the town of Lorenzago di Cadore, province of Belluno and the forest is

owned by the village of Lorenzago di Cadore

The total area is 1100 ha. It is bordering Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The climate is of Mesalpic type and the altitudinal range is 800 – 1800 m a.s.l.

According to altitude, the forest types are different:



fir forests of carbonatic and siliceous soils (800 – 1300 m);



secondary montane spruce forests (1000 – 1350 m);



spruce forests on carbonatic and siliceous soils (1300 – 1800 m)

The main management type applied is selection cuttings (from single-tree to small groups) and natural

regeneration is present in all treatment variants. Annual cuttings: 1660 m

3

(26% of annual increment).

The Lorenzago di Cadore area is included in one of the largest Special Protection Zone of the Alps (ZPS

IT3230089 “Dolomiti of Cadore and Comelico”) and contains two Sites of Community Importance (SIC,

92/43/CEE). Forests of Lorenzago are certified for Sustainable Forest Management by PEFC.

Factsheet for the selected test area

More specific name: Valdescura

General features

Management Authority Municipality of Lorenzago di Cadore Area (ha) ~25 (1100 ha total forest area) Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84)

(UTM-WGS84)

46°28’ N, 12°28’ E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 925-1220

Landscape morphology Aspect N-N/W, slope 20-30°

Bedrock Marlstone, sandstone, schist and dolomite rock.

Soil characteristics Brown soils, deep, fresh and very fertile. Humus:moder zoogenic Cartographic references Carta d'Italia IGM 1:50.000 F030 Auronzo di Cadore

Carta Geologica d'Italia 1:100.000 F4C-13 Ampezzo

Climatic features

Temp med °C

Temp max °C (mean, max of the warmest month) 20, 30 (July or August)

Temp min °C (mean, min of the coldest month) -5, -26 (December, January or February) Rainfalls (mm) 1100 – 1200

Availability of local active meteorological station Historically, the closest is at Domegge di Cadore

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Forest type High forest. Mixed wood of spruce (Picea abies), silver fir (Abies alba) and beech (Fagus sylvatica); presence of larch (Larix decidua)

Main management type Evenaged

Management plan Piano economico di riassetto forestale dei beni silvo-pastorali del Comune di Lorenzago di Cadore – 2002 - 2011

Present stages Adult and mature high forest. Biplanar structure. Abundant regeneration Intervention types Selection cuttings (from single-tree to small groups), tilling and thinning. Cutting – harvesting method Chainsaws, interest to use small machines

Machine - Forwarder method Interest to use small machines to collect harvested wood Destination of the harvested material Roundwood (mainly)

Health Good

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods 3 large areas (6 to 12 ha). 4 sampling plots have been established in areas to be subjected to different tratments (3 plots with r =30 m). See figure 7

Age 80 (from management plan)

Basal area (average) (m2 ha-1) 41.8

Stem density (N ha-1) 427 (from management plan) Dominant height (m) 30 m (stature)

Increment (m3 ha-1) 12.2 Height/diameter curve

Diameter distribution curve See figure 8 Stem quality

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Figure 8.Distribution of tree diameter classes in the selected stand

Diametric distribution

Lorenzago

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 5 ₁₀ ₁₅ ₂₀ ₂₅ ₃₀ ₃₅ ₄₀ ₄₅ ₅₀ ₅₅ ₆₀ ₆₅ ₇₀ ₇₅ ₈₀ 173 diametric class fr e qu e nc y

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SITE 4 – Mongiana (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Calabria Region, Province of Vibo Valentia. The management is directly carried on by

the National Forest Service of Italy (CFS).

The selected forest area is included in the Marchesale Biogenetic Reserve, Natura 2000 sites

The total area is 1257 ha and the altitudinal range is 750 ÷ 1170 m (a.s.l.)

The forest types are beech managed as high forest and chestnut stands managed as coppice (a number of

stands are aged coppices. There is a small fraction of mixed beech-fir high forest (5%). From 2000 to 2009,

silvicultural intervention were implemented over 108 ha.

Factsheet for the selected test area

More specific name: Marchesale National forest

General features

Management Authority National Forest Service of Italy (CFS)

Area (ha) ~30 ha

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84) (UTM-WGS84)

38° 30’ N, 16° 14’ E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 1100

Landscape morphology Alternation of small hills (slope ~40%), valleys and plateaux. Bedrock Granite (“Serra and Sila” formation)

Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d’Italia IGM 1:25000 F583-I (Serra San Bruno) F583-II (Fabrizia) 1:50000 F 583 (Polistena) Carta Geologica d’Italia 1:100000 F246 (Cittanova).

Climatic features

Temp med °C 10.1 (see also figure 9) Temp max °C (average warmest month) 18.4, July (see also figure 9) Temp min °C (average coldest month) 2.2 February(see also figure 9) Rainfalls (mm) 1880 (see also figure 9) Phytoclimatic region Fagetum

Availability of local active meteorological station Yes, close to the CFS office in Mongiana. The intensive monitoring site CAL-1 is not distant from the selected forest area.

Forest Management

Forest type High forest of beech Main management type Even-aged

Management plan

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Intervention types Selection for single plant, removal of some of the dead trees.

The choice of plants to be harvested is generally made by CFS, harvesting is permormed by specialized companies belonging to third parties under the control of expert internal staff of the CFS.

Cutting – harvesting method Machine - Forwarder method

Destination of the harvested material Industrial use, firewood e biomass for local and national market.

Health Good

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods 9 areas of 2.8 to 3.5 ha with 3 plots in each area (27 circular plots with r =17 m) See figure 10

Age 75 (according to last intervention) Basal area (average) (m2 ha-1) 41,76 (see also figure 11) Stem density (N ha-1) 510 (see also figure 11) Dominant height (m)

Increment (m3 ha-1)

Height/diameter curve See figure 12 Diameter distribution curve

Stem quality Photo

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Figure 9. Bagnouls-Gaussen climatic diagram (CAL-1 CONECOFOR Station)

(average 5 years)

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Figure 11. Ipsometric (height vs.diameter) curve for Mongiana forest

Plot G (m

2

/ha)

N (p/ha)

1 52,8

470

2 33,9

632

3 42,0

441

4 37,9

456

5 46,7

520

6 34,0

557

7 39,9

571

8 45,6

387

9 42,7

560 TOT

41,7

510

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SITE 5 - Monte di Mezzo-Pennataro (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Molise Region, Province of Isernia.

The area is close to or included in:



Montedimezzo Natural State Reserve, established 1971;



MAB-UNESCO Biosphere Reserve;



Natura 2000 SIC and ZPS sites.

The total area is ~400 ha and its altitudinal range is 900 - 1300 m (a.s.l.)

The forest type is:



turkey oak pure or mixed stands (lower elevation)



beech forest, generally mono-layered (higher elevation);

The main management type is high forest.

The future management plan includes measures especially for experimental and educational purpose in four

separate units:



Coppice: thinning and small cuttings



High forest above coppice: natural evolution



Monoplane high forest: interventions only on battered old or sick trees, control of the regeneration,

experimental plantation of yew (

Taxus baccata

);



Biplane-Multiplane high forest: small cuttings inside 5 ha management units with the formation of gaps

not exceeding 200-300 m

2

, experimental plant of yew

Factsheet for the selected test area

More specific name: Bosco Pennataro Regional forest

General features

Management Authority National Forest Service of Italy (CFS) and Molise Region

Area (ha) ~ 400

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84)

43°43’ N, 11°3’ E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 900 ÷ 1300

Landscape morphology Low mountain – hilly (valleys and hollows) Bedrock Limestone and marlstone (Miocene-Pliocene) Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d'Italia IGM 1:50.000 F392 Castel di Sangro Carta Geologica d'Italia 1:100.000 F153 Agnone

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Climatic features

Temp med °C 8.6

Temp max °C (average warmest month) Temp min °C (average coldest month)

Rainfalls (mm) 1100

Availability of local active meteorological station Station managed by CRA-SFA at San Pietro Avellana (IS). Basic data from mobile tower managed by CNR at Feudozzo (AQ).

Forest Management

Forest type Mixed turkey oak (Quercus cerris) high forest

Main management type Aged coppice, partly in conversion to high forest; dense structure.

Management plan Monte di Mezzo: Biplane-Multiplane high forest: small cuttings inside 5 ha management units with the formation of gaps not exceeding 200-300 m2. Present stages Adult, aged and over-aged forest (from coppice).

Intervention types Health interventions, creation of fire-breaks, some thinning and cutting for the conversion to high stand.

Cutting – harvesting method Generally using internal CFS or regional staff (over small areas) Machine - Forwarder method Frequently with animals or tractors

Destination of the harvested material Wood for internal use (small saw mill available), firewood

Health Good

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods Due to the variability of the selected stand, three areas of ~ 10 ha will be selected and assigned to the different treatments.

Age

Basal area (average) (m2 ha-1) Stem density (N ha-1) Dominant height (m) Increment (m3 ha-1) Height/diameter curve Diameter distribution curve Stem quality

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SITE 6 – Tarvisio (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, Province of Udine. It is owned by “Fondo Edifici del

Culto” of Ministry of Internal Affairs, under direct management by National Forest Service of Italy, Local Office

for Biodiversity (UTB) of Tarvisio

The total area is 23’362 ha, 15’152 ha with forests. The altitudinal range is 750÷2750 m (a.s.l.).

There are two main forest types: mixed forests of spruce, beech, pine (8’946 ha), subalpine spruce (1’263 ha).

Main management type is high forest with close-to-nature silviculture. Forests are treated with

border-shelterwood or group-border-shelterwood (

Femmelschlag

) cuttings. Long history of forest management plans (1888) is

present in the area. It is a Mixed forests of spruce (

Picea abies

) (54%), beech (

Fagus sylvatica

) (29%), silver fir

(

Abies alba

) (7%), larch (

Larix decidua

) (5,5%), black pine (

Pinus nigra

) and Scot's pine (

P. sylvestris

) (4,5%). The

average growing stock is 280 m

3

ha

-1

, the increment 4.58 m

3

ha

-1

yr

-1

. Annual cuttings is of about 30’000 m

3

.

The forest is partly included in Special Protection Zones (ZPS, 79/409/CEE) and in Sites of Community

Importance (SIC, 92/43/CEE).

Factsheet for the selected test area

General features

Management Authority Forest owned by “Fondo Edifici del Culto” of Ministry of Internal Affairs, under direct management by National Forest Service of Italy (CFS) Tarvisio Area (ha) ~30 (Total forested area 15’152 ha)

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84) 46°32’ N,13°20’ E Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 1000 ÷ 1100

Landscape morphology Mountain slopes on a valley side

Bedrock Limestone, marlstone and sandstone (Paleozoic to Triassic) Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d'Italia 1:50.000 F033 Tarvisio

Carta Geologica d'Italia 1:100.000 F14^ Tarvisio

Climatic features

Temp med °C 6.7 (see also figure 13)

Temp max °C (average warmest month) 16.3, August (see also figure 13) Temp min °C (average coldest month) 3.6, January (see also figure 13) Rainfalls (mm) 1815 (see also figure 13) Phytoclimatic region Fagetum

Availability of local active meteorological station Yes, at the intensive forest monitoring plot FRI-2 and also in Tarvisio village

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Forest type High forest with close-to nature silviculture Main management type Even aged

Management plan Long history of forest management plans (1888). Growing stock: 280 m3 ha-1, increment 4.58 m3 ha-1 yr-1 Present stages High forest. Regeneration presence (10-20 %)

Young forest (diam < 32,5 cm) 30 % < 80 years Mature forest (diam > 32,5 cm) 38 % 80-120 years Ultra mature forest (diam > 47,5 cm) 32 % >120 years

Intervention types Border shelter-wood or group shelter-wood (Femmelschlag) cuttings. Annual cuttings: 30’000 m3 (all area)

Cutting – harvesting method Border shelter-wood (8’000-10’000 m2), group shelter-wood (4’000-6’000 m2). Use of local small companies, sometime directly

Machine - Forwarder method Cable cranes, tractors and winches. In recent years, trial of totally mechanized methods (harvester and forwarder)

Destination of the harvested material Timber for building (Picea abies), firewood (Fagus sylvatica)

Health Good. Local attacks of wood-boring insects. Attacked plants harvested and destroyed

Extreme events Harvesting in the last decade have increased due to recovering plants uprooted and crashed by floods, tornadoes and snow storms.

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods 9 to 12 areas of 1.8 to 2.5 ha with 3 plots in each area (27 circular plots with r =13 m). Two additional plots for dendrometric biodiversity. One additional area. approximately 5 ha, selcted for ageing

Age to be evaluated

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Figure 13. Bagnouls-Gaussen climatic diagram (FRI-2 CONECOFOR Station)

(average 6 years)

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SITE 7 – Vallombrosa (IT)

General area information:

The area is located in the Toscana Region, Province of Firenze. The management is carried on directly by the

National Forest Service of Italy – Local Office for Biodiversity (UTB) of Vallombrosa. The area is included in a

Biogenetic reserve of Vallombrosa (Natura 2000), established in 1977

The total area is 1279 ha (forest cover: 99%). The altitudinal range is 450 ÷ 1.450 m (a.s.l.) and the forest types

are:



pure fir forests (50%);



beech in higher zones;



calabrian pine (

Pinus laricio

) in lower areas;



deciduous forests dominated by chestnut (

Castanea sativa

).

The main management type is high forest. Forest management is carried on following the Management Plan

2006 – 2025 with the main objective of rinaturalise the today simplified forest stands. An area of 100 ha of

pure fir is included in the “

Silvomuseo

” (silvicultural museum), where the traditional management of clear-cut

and artificial regeneration is carried on. Average annual cuttings performed directly by UTB - Vallombrosa are

1500 m

3

, mainly of conifers.

UTB - Vallombrosa has a long tradition in dissemination of forest management culture and in raising awareness

on forests among local population and students who come from all the Country.

Factsheet for the selected test area

General features

Management Authority National Forest Service of Italy (CFS) – Local Office of Vallombrosa Area (ha) ~30 (1370 ha area UTB - forest cover: 99%)

Geographic Coordinates (UTM-WGS84) 41°44’ N, 14°12 E’ Altitudinal range (m a.s.l) 900 ÷ 1000

Landscape morphology Mountain slopes (moderate)

Bedrock Sandstone “Arenarie del Monte Falterona (Membro di Camaldoli)” Soil characteristics

Cartographic references Carta d’Italia 1:50000 IGM F276 (Figline Valdarno) Carta Geologica d’Italia 1:10000 F264 (Borgo S.Lorenzo)

Climatic features

Temp med °C 9.7

Temp max °C (average warmest month) 24.1 Temp min °C (average coldest month) -0.8

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Availability of local active meteorological station

Forest Management

Forest type High forest. Fir, beech, sporadic Spruce. Main management type Even aged

Management plan Forest management is carried on following the Management Plan 2006 – 2025 with the main objective of naturalise the today simplified forest stands. Present stages

Intervention types

Cutting – harvesting method Machine - Forwarder method

Destination of the harvested material Local use

Health Good

Sampling Area selected for the project

Sampling methods Age

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