Increasing wood mobilization through Sustainable Forest Management in protected areas of Italy

The European Community has long recognized the need to further promote renewable energy. Under the overall objective to support and enhance sustainable management, the promotion of the use of forest biomass could help to mitigate climate change by substituting fossil fuel, increasing carbon stock in wood products and improve energy self-sufficiency enhancing security of supply and providing job opportunities in rural areas. To what extent Italian forests can satisfy an increased wood demand, without compromising the others Ecosystem Services (ESs) remains an open question. Our aim was to assess the potential supply of woody biomass from the network of protected areas in Italy considering the felling constraints. We estimated the theoretical annual potential increment from forest inventory data performing a correlation with the Corine Land Cover 2006 at the IV level with a 1:100,000 resolution elaborated in a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment. The average annual potential increment at national level available for felling was 4.4 m3ha-1. Within the network of protected areas (EUAP and Natura 2000), the average annual increment, available to felling, was 0.98 m3ha-1, respectively, 0.81 m3ha-1 from coppice and 1.14 m3ha-1 from non-coppice forests. Based on data obtained from this study, the availability of wood materials could be increased of almost 20 % at national level by pursuing an active management within the network of protected areas. In Italy, the actual level of resource utilization is rather low; increasing felling together with the implementation of an active management within protected areas could allow satisfying, theoretically, the Italian wood consumption

The Council of State in the face of the Covid-19 health crisis

U radu autor analizira način na koji se Državno vijeće u Francuskoj bavilo zdravljem u okolnostima izvanrednih kriza. Iako su sudske metode i sredstva njegove kontrole blisko povezane s povijesti i kulturom zemlje autor je pozivajući se na Pascala (\u27\u27Istina ispod Pirineja je negdje drugdje pogreška\u27\u27) uvjeren da ova institucija podržava ključnu vrlinu opće pravednosti. Također je uvjeren da unatoč svih razlika koje nas dijele, moramo učiti jedni od drugih, što i podiže vrijednost bilateralne suradnje.In this paper, the author analyzes the way in which the French State Council dealt with the health crisis. Even though the court\u27s methods and means of its control are too narrowly connected to the history and culture of the country to conclude that this institution holds key universal justice, the authors by referring to Pascal ("Truth below the Pyrenees, elsewhere error") concludes that, due to our differences, we must learn from each other which is why bilateral cooperation is so valuable

A Power Series Expansion based Method to compute the Probability of Collision for Short-term Space Encounters

Rapport LAAS n° 15072This article provides a new method for computing the probability of collision between two spherical space objects involved in a short-term encounter under Gaussian-distributed uncertainty. In this model of conjunction, classical assumptions reduce the probability of collision to the integral of a two-dimensional Gaussian probability density function over a disk. The computational method presented here is based on an analytic expression for the integral, derived by use of Laplace transform and D-finite functions properties. The formula has the form of a product between an exponential term and a convergent power series with positive coefficients. Analytic bounds on the truncation error are also derived and are used to obtain a very accurate algorithm. Another contribution is the derivation of analytic bounds on the probability of collision itself, allowing for a very fast and - in most cases - very precise evaluation of the risk. The only other analytical method of the literature - based on an approximation - is shown to be a special case of the new formula. A numerical study illustrates the efficiency of the proposed algorithms on a broad variety of examples and favorably compares the approach to the other methods of the literature

Wood Anatomical Responses of European Beech to Elevation, Land Use Change, and Climate Variability in the Central Apennines, Italy.

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a widespread and economically important temperate tree species in Europe. The warmer temperatures and severe drought events expected in the future, especially in Mediterranean areas, could affect the vitality and productivity of beech stands that have been intensively used in these areas in the past. Here, we aim to assess the wood anatomical responses of beech to environmental variability and silvicultural practices by investigating three beech stands along an elevational gradient (1,200 to 1,950 m a.s.l.) in the Apennines (Italy). Therefore, we quantified several anatomical traits of the xylem vessels related to tree hydraulics from five trees per stand and investigated variability between and within tree rings. Our results suggest generally limited trait plasticity, with higher plasticity of mean vessel lumen area and theoretical hydraulic conductivity, while maximum vessel size and mean hydraulic diameter were less plastic, likely because of the stronger determination by tree height. High-elevation trees were hydraulically more limited than trees at a mid and lower elevation as indicated by the more conservative anatomical configuration, i.e., comparatively smaller vessels and a 50% tighter trait coordination. Cessation of coppicing resulted in a hydraulically safer anatomy with comparatively smaller vessels at the most intensively used site (1,200 m), triggered by increased water demand due to an increase in canopy density, and thus, an increase in stand transpiration. Furthermore, maximum vessel size at the beginning showed different climate sensitivity compared to the rest of the tree ring, while intra-ring anatomical profiles showed little difference between normal and the 5 years with the highest and lowest mean temperature and precipitation. Overall, this study highlights the challenges to separate the externally induced medium- to longer-term responses from ontogenetically determined patterns. We, therefore, call for more comprehensive studies to further explore and verify the plasticity of wood anatomical traits in European beech in response to short- to long-term environmental fluctuations to gain a mechanistic understanding useful for sustainable forest ecosystems

Inner peripheries : dealing with peripherality and marginality issues within the European policy framework

Inner Peripheries is a complex and often misinterpreted concept, as demonstrated by current scientific evidence. Such complexity derives from the intrinsic peripherality and marginality characteristics of the Inner Peripheries. Despite Inner Peripheries suffer from geographical and socio-economic disparities, their environmental, social and economic potentialities are not fully expressed, and thus can be further strengthened by both the EU Cohesion and Rural Development Policies. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge about the linkages between the Inner Peripheries and both Cohesion and Rural Development Policies, which could limit the effectiveness of planning strategies in these territories. Therefore, through a structured review, we explore the linkages between Inner Peripheries and peripherality and marginality concepts and related criticalities and opportunities. Moreover, we consider the relationships between Inner Peripheries and Cohesion Policy Thematic Objectives and Rural Development Policy Priorities. The main findings show that the Inner Peripheries concept needs to be further explored, especially concerning the environmental aspects. Accordingly, we suggest that great challenges and opportunities currently exist in these territories, and combined policies efforts need to be oriented to strengthen the future sustainable development in the Inner Peripheries..   Key words: Review, Rural Development Policy, Cohesion Policy, Inner Areas.    Resumen: Inner Peripheries es un concepto complejo y a menudo mal interpretado, como lo demuestran las pruebas científicas actuales. Tal complejidad deriva de sus intrínsecas características de periferia y marginalidad. A pesar de que las Inner Peripheries sufren de disparidades geográficas y socioeconómicas, sus potencialidades ambientales, sociales y económicas no se expresan completamente y, por lo tanto, pueden ser reforzadas por las Políticas de Cohesión y Desarrollo Rural de la UE. Sin embargo, actualmente existe una falta de conocimiento sobre los vínculos entre las Periferia Interior y las Políticas de Cohesión y Desarrollo Rural, lo que podría limitar la efectividad de las estrategias de planificación en estos territorios. A través de una revisión estructurada, exploramos los vínculos entre las Inner Peripheries y los conceptos de periferia y marginalidad y las críticas y oportunidades relacionadas. Además, consideramos las relaciones entre las Inner Peripheries y los objetivos temáticos de la Política de Cohesión y las Prioridades de la Política de Desarrollo Rural. Los principales hallazgos muestran que el concepto de Inner Peripheries necesita ser explorado más a fondo, especialmente en relación con los aspectos ambientales. Sugerimos que actualmente existen grandes desafíos y oportunidades en estos territorios, y que los esfuerzos de políticas combinadas deben orientarse para fortalecer el desarrollo sostenible futuro en las Inner Peripheries.   Palabras clave: Revisión; Política De Desarrollo Rural; Política De Cohesión; Áreas Internas

Ongoing modifications to root system architecture of Pinus ponderosa growing on a sloped site revealed by tree-ring analysis

Abstract Our knowledge of the root system architecture of trees is still incomplete, especially concerning how biomass partitioning is regulated to achieve an optimal, but often unequal, distribution of resources. In addition, our comprehension of root system architecture development as a result of the adaptation process is limited because most studies lack a temporal approach. To add to our understanding, we excavated 32-year-old Pinus ponderosa trees from a steep, forested site in northern Idaho USA. The root systems were discretized by a low magnetic field digitizer and along with AMAPmod software we examined their root traits (i.e. order category, topology, growth direction length, and volume) in four quadrants: downslope, upslope, windward, and leeward. On one tree, we analyzed tree rings to compare the ages of lateral roots relative to their parental root, and to assess the occurrence of compression wood. We found that, from their onset, first-order lateral roots have similar patterns of ring eccentricity suggesting an innate ability to respond to different mechanical forces; more root system was allocated downslope and to the windward quadrant. In addition, we noted that shallow roots, which all presented compression wood, appear to be the most important component of anchorage. Finally, we observed that lateral roots can change growth direction in response to mechanical forces, as well as produce new lateral roots at any development stage and wherever along their axis. These findings suggest that trees adjust their root spatial deployment in response to environmental conditions, these roots form compression wood to dissipate mechanical forces, and new lateral roots can arise anywhere and at any time on the existing system in apparent response to mechanical forces

Rural areas and urbanization: analysis of a change

After the Industrial Revolution, the precarious equilibrium which regulated the co-evolutionary process between man and nature, has decidedly leaned in favor of a society which is continuously in search of new spaces to be explored and inhabited. According to the data in the Inventario dell’uso delle terre in Italia (Inventory of land use in Italy - Iuti), from 1990 to 2008 land take is estimated at 500,000 hectares; 75% of the time, this occurs to the detriment of farmland. The ability to evaluate and monitor said phenomenon is essential, first of all, in order to provide the decision makers with valid instruments and, secondly, to lay the basis for a new culture which, placing agriculture at the center of a new, regenerative view of the landscape, is able to outline new ways of organizing the territory which take into account the connections between that which is anthropic and the matrix in which it is inserted, in full respect of the principles of sustainable development.In seguito alla rivoluzione industriale, il sottile equilibrio che regolava il rapporto di coevoluzione uomo-natura si è decisamente inclinato a favore di una società alla continua ricerca e conquista di nuovi spazi. Secondo i dati dell’Inventario dell’uso delle terre in Italia (Iuti), dal 1990 al 2008 il consumo di suolo si attesta intorno ai 500.000 ettari e, nel 75% dei casi, esso si verifica a danno dei terreni agricoli. La capacità di valutare e monitorare tale fenomeno è essenziale innanzitutto per fornire strumenti validi ai decision makers e, in secondo luogo, per creare le basi di una nuova cultura, che, ponendo l’agricoltura al centro di una visione rigenerativa dei paesaggi, sia in grado di delineare nuove forme di organizzazione del territorio che tengano conto delle connessioni esistenti tra ciò che è antropico e la matrice in cui esso s’inserisce, nel pieno rispetto dei principi dello sviluppo sostenibile

Tree-Ring Stable Isotopes Reveal Twentieth-Century Increases in Water-Use Efficiency of Fagus sylvatica and Nothofagus spp. in Italian and Chilean Mountains

Abstract Changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) were investigated in Fagus sylvatica and Nothofagus spp. over the last century. We combined dendrochronological methods with dual-isotope analysis to investigate whether atmospheric changes enhanced iWUE of Fagus and Nothofagus and tree growth (basal area increment, BAI) along latitudinal gradients in Italy and Chile. Post-maturation phases of the trees presented different patterns in 18 O, Ci (internal CO 2 concentration), iWUE, and BAI. A continuous enhancement in isotope-derived iWUE was observed throughout the twentieth century, which was common to all sites and related to changes in Ca (ambient CO 2 concentration) and secondarily to increases in temperature. In contrast to other studies, we observed a general increasing trend of BAI, with the exception of F. sylvatica in Aspromonte. Both iWUE and BAI were uncoupled with the estimated drought index, which is in agreement with the absence of enduring decline in tree growth. In general, d 13 C and d 18 O showed a weak relationship, suggesting the major influence of photosynthetic rate on Ci and d 13 C, and the minor contribution of the regulation of stomatal conductance to iWUE. The substantial warming observed during the twentieth century did not result in a clear pattern of increased drought stress along these latitudinal transects, because of the variability in temporal trends of precipitation and in specific responses of populations

Stima spazialmente definita della produttività potenziale delle risorse agro-forestali per uso energetico: il caso di studio della regione Molise.

In questo lavoro sono riportati i risultati della stima della disponibilita di biomassa per uso energetico ottenibile dalle risorse agro-forestali a seguito dell'applicazione di criteri di sostenibilita. Le analisi sono state effettuate a due differenti scale geografiche: la prima a livello nazionale e la seconda a livello regionale, basata su strati informativi di maggior dettaglio, e con risultati aggregati a livello comunale. In entrambi i casi sono stati applicati dei vincoli alla produzione di biomassa strettamente connessi alle caratteristiche morfologiche, tecnico-strutturali e gestionali dell'area di studio e all'uso di criteri che garantiscono la sostenibilita della gestione delle risorse forestali basati sulla provvigione minimale