Forest carbon, climate mitigation and bioeconomy
We assess the contribution of forests to climate mitigation by considering the entire forest–wood system. We jointly analyse carbon uptake and storage, management effects, harvested wood products, material and energy substitution, stock permanence and vulnerability to disturbance.
Research questions
- How do carbon stocks and sinks change under different climate and management scenarios?
- Which strategies provide the greatest long-term climate benefit?
- How can biomass use, substitution effects and climate credits be assessed while avoiding double counting?
Approaches and methods
We combine forest inventories, increment cores, allometric equations, growth and carbon models, satellite data, management scenarios and life-cycle assessment. We explicitly account for timing, permanence and risks associated with forest carbon.
Related projects
ForBEST · REWILD-FIRE · LIFE CO2PES&PEF · AGRITECH–LEAF · USEFOL · Appennino Tosco-Emiliano · RSE · SAFE · Treedom · Parco Italia
Selected publications
- Brocco S. et al. (2026). Modeling and optimizing alpine forest management to maximize carbon sequestration.
- Brocco S. et al. (2026). Decarbonization through wood-based building material substitution in mountain territories.
- Rossi L.M.W. et al. (2025). Interplay of species mixture, climate change, and management regimes on carbon stocks and sinks in a Mediterranean beech forest.
- Vacchiano G. et al. (2018). Voluntary carbon credits from improved forest management: policy guidelines and case study.
- Vizzarri M. et al. (2022). The Role of Forests in Climate Change Mitigation: The EU Context.
- Vacchiano G. et al. (2015). Effect of avalanche frequency on forest ecosystem services in a spruce–fir mountain forest.