Forest restoration, rewilding and afforestation
We study how to promote the recovery of degraded forest ecosystems and how to design new forests capable of persisting under future climatic conditions. We compare active restoration, natural regeneration, rewilding and afforestation, assessing not only survival and growth but also forest structure, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Research questions
- When is active intervention preferable, and when should spontaneous processes be favoured?
- Which species, provenances and planting configurations increase the resilience of new forests?
- How should restoration success be assessed beyond the initial establishment phase?
Approaches and methods
We use field experiments, survival and growth monitoring, regeneration surveys, structural and biodiversity assessments, remote sensing and modelling. Comparisons among sites and treatments allow us to evaluate long-term trajectories rather than only short-term establishment success.
Related projects
SUPERB · LIFE FOREST4FUTURE · REWILD-FIRE · RiForestAzione · Branzi · Colli Berici · Levissima / Sanpellegrino · Parco Italia · Valli del Verbano
Selected publications
- Gibertini C. et al. (2026). Afforestation priority for multiple objectives at national scale: Italy as a case study.
- Erdozain M. et al. (2026). The role of social, policy and economic forces in shaping forest restoration practices in Europe.
- Erdozain M. et al. (2025). The evolution of forest restoration in Europe: A synthesis for a step forward based on national expert knowledge.
- Barredo J.I., Vizzarri M., Kuželová K. (2024). Archetypal typology of European forest ecosystems integrating management intensity and naturalness.