SESSION 5

SILVICULTURE, FOREST PROTECTION
(Coordinators: Andrea Battisti, Luigi Masutti)

The analysis of the relationship between silviculture and forest protection from fungi and insects has always characterized the Italian school. It is evident that there is a reduced negative impact of these organisms in well managed forests, that is when primary producers live in equilibrium with the organisms which degrade organic substance in forest ecosystems. The ecologic and physiologic mechanisms regulating the relationship among trees, symbionts and primary consumers in condition of normal ecosystem functioning are not well known, while there is much more information on the effects of large disturbance factors, such as extreme abiotic events. In this sense, it is important to consider both abiotic (wind, ice…) and anthropogenic disturbance factors (pollution, changes in water tables…), together with the effects of climate change such as the increased growth rate of insect populations and dangerous fungi populations, and the change in plant resistance.

This session will define the state of the art and the main research goals regarding the relationship between silviculture and forest protection, with particular reference to the Mediterranean area. The aim is to identify the strategic development of this sector for the coming years, particularly in relation to silvicultural measures to be developed to prevent and control damages to forest ecosystems.

 

Themes

1. Biotic adversities

Silviculture and phytosanitary management

Adversities of the main forest types in the Mediterranean environment

Relationship between climate change and fungi and insect outbreaks

Development of new biotic adversities

Composition of Mediterranean forests, symbiosis with mycorrhiza and parasite outbreak in the context of climate change

Mechanisms regulating pathogen and insect populations

Ecological criteria in forest protection

2. Abiotic adversities

Consequences of anomalous climatic events

Effects of pollutants

Relationship between parasite outbreaks and extreme abiotic events