ForestLab
We study how forests respond to climate change, disturbance and management.
Forest research in a changing climate
ForestLab is the University of Milan research lab focused on forest ecology, management and restoration. We study how climate change, disturbances and silvicultural interventions affect forest structure, functioning and ecosystem services, combining field monitoring, spatial data and modelling.
Research areas
Forest dynamics and climate change
We study tree growth, mortality, regeneration, competition and reproduction in response to climate and environmental change.
Sustainable forest management and planning
We develop management and planning strategies integrating adaptation, production, biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Forest resilience, extreme events and disturbances
We study wildfire, drought, storms, insects and other disturbances to understand forest vulnerability, resistance, recovery and resilience.
Protection forests and hydrogeological hazards
We analyse how forest structure and management contribute to protection from avalanches, rockfall, erosion and slope instability.
Biodiversity, conservation and old-growth forests
We investigate relationships between forest management, stand structure and biodiversity, with particular attention to habitats, species and old-growth features.
Forest restoration, rewilding and afforestation
We assess restoration, spontaneous forest development, afforestation and adaptive management strategies for resilient and multifunctional forests.
Forest carbon, climate mitigation and bioeconomy
We quantify forest carbon stocks and fluxes and assess the contribution of forest management, wood products and value chains to climate mitigation.
Urban forests and nature-based solutions
We study how trees, urban forests and green infrastructure contribute to cooling, wellbeing, biodiversity and climate adaptation.
Forest and urban soils
We study soil properties, biodiversity and functioning and their role in resilience, restoration and ecosystem services.
Monitoring, remote sensing and forest modelling
We integrate field observations, sensors, satellite and LiDAR data with models to monitor forests and explore future scenarios.
People
Giorgio Vacchiano
Associate Professor. Forest ecology and management, climate change, disturbance, modelling and restoration.
Matteo Vizzarri
Associate Professor. Forest planning, ecosystem services, sustainability, modelling and bioeconomy.
Lorenzo Rossi
Researcher. Forest and urban soils, forest modelling, climate adaptation, carbon and restoration.