2020–2026 · Horizon 2020 · Coordinator: University of Helsinki eLTER PLUS developed and tested the European eLTER infrastructure for long-term ecosystem research, integrating sites, data and protocols at pan-European scale...
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Projects
ForestLab participates in national and international research projects and collaborates with public authorities, protected areas, foundations and other organisations to transfer research results into forest and land management.
Research projects
FORbEST – Safeguarding Carbon and Biodiversity across European Forest Ecosystems
2025–2029 · Horizon Europe
FORbEST investigates the forest biodiversity–climate nexus to identify conservation, management and restoration strategies capable of maintaining forests rich in both carbon and biodiversity.
SOSFOR – Sustainable Operating Spaces for Forests
2024–2027 · ForestValue2
SOSFOR develops an operational framework to identify sustainable operating spaces for forest management in fragile and marginal European landscapes.
SUPERB – Forest restoration in the Po Valley
2021–2025 · Horizon 2020
SUPERB developed and tested solutions for large-scale forest restoration across twelve European demonstration areas.
REWILD-FIRE – Rewilding policies for carbon sequestration under increasing fire risk
2023–2025 · PRIN / PNRR – Italian Ministry of University and Research
REWILD-FIRE investigates trade-offs between increased carbon storage through natural reforestation, rewilding and proforestation and potential carbon losses from wildfire in the Italian Alps.
FIRE-BOX – Open tools for wildfire risk assessment and management in Italy
2023–2026 · PRIN 2022 / PNRR – Italian Ministry of University and Research
FIRE-BOX developed a nationally harmonised, open-access toolbox for wildfire prevention, simulation and risk management.
eLTER PLUS – Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem Research
2020–2026 · Horizon 2020
eLTER PLUS developed and tested the European eLTER infrastructure for long-term ecosystem research, integrating sites, data and protocols at pan-European scale to study biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles, climate change and socio-ecological systems.
LIFE CO2PES&PEF – Forest ecosystem services and carbon
2020–2023 · LIFE Programme
LIFE CO2PES&PEF developed tools to integrate sustainable forest management, climate mitigation and the economic valorisation of ecosystem services.
AGRITECH–LEAF – reaLizing the potEntial of itAlian mountain Forests
2022–2025 · PNRR – National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies AGRITECH
LEAF – reaLizing the potEntial of itAlian mountain Forests to provide goods and services to society – investigated how the potential of Italian mountain forests can be realised while jointly maintaining wood production, protection from hydrogeological hazards, climate regulation and the resilience of marginal…
USEFOL – Ecosystem services in Lombardy forests
2020–2023 · Lombardy Region – Research Call 2018
USEFOL developed tools for the integrated assessment of sustainable forest management, wood availability, carbon and ecosystem services in Lombardy forests, with case studies in Valle Camonica and Valtellina.
VitiSilvA – Agroforestry in Lombardy vineyards
2026–2028 · Lombardy CAP Strategic Plan / CSR 2023–2027 – SRG01 EIP-AGRI Operational Groups
VitiSilvA investigates the integration of trees, forests, hedgerows and shrubs into Lombardy vineyards as an agroforestry strategy to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, improve soil functioning and support climate adaptation.
URSOILL – Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Soil Restoration through Living Labs
2025–2030 · Horizon Europe – Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”
URSOILL develops and tests innovative approaches to urban-soil restoration through five European Urban Living Labs, integrating nature-based solutions, monitoring technologies and stakeholder co-creation.
GOCCIA – Resilience of Bosco La Goccia
2024–2028 · European Urban Initiative
GOCCIA addresses the regeneration of the former industrial area of Bovisa and the conservation and enhancement of Bosco La Goccia, a spontaneous urban forest that developed on contaminated land.
BIO-WATCH – Shared and participatory biodiversity monitoring
2024–2025 · National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) / PNRR – NextGenerationEU
A central component is the use of citizen science to make biodiversity monitoring sustainable and replicable in the long term.
LIFE FOREST4FUTURE – Resilient forests for the future
2026–2033 · LIFE Programme – Nature and Biodiversity
LIFE FOREST4FUTURE develops and applies an adaptive, resilient and multifunctional forest model based on Nature-Based Solutions.
Applied research and management support
Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park – forest adaptation, carbon and wildfire
Long-term research collaborations · Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park
Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park · University of Milan · University of Turin for the wildfire project Forest Lab developed four complementary research projects in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, addressing adaptation of beech and silver fir forests, management effects on forest carbon stocks and…
Parco del Ticino – forest resilience to climate change
2021–2023 · Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino
The project Analysis of forest resilience to climate change in the Ticino Park investigated drought responses of the main forest communities along the Ticino river corridor and assessed how climate change may affect their future capacity to sequester carbon.
Val di Mello Climate Change – biodiversity, resilience and management of Alpine habitats
2023–2025 · Val di Mello Nature Reserve
The project assessed biodiversity and ecosystem conservation status in the Val di Mello Nature Reserve, with particular focus on climate-change impacts.
Sorgenia / TreeTalker – continuous forest monitoring
2024–2028 · Sorgenia / #RigeneraBoschi
Continuous monitoring of tree physiology and condition using IoT sensors installed across multiple forest sites.
Fondazione Gabaldo – experimental afforestation in the Colli Berici
2026–2029 · Fondazione Gabaldo
The project establishes a permanent experimental forest in the Commenda area of the Colli Berici, testing planting strategies designed to increase the resilience of new forests under future climatic conditions.
RSE – forest management, national carbon sink and biomass for energy
2025–2027 · Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico (RSE)
The first activity reviews forest management in Italy and estimates biomass availability by distinguishing between biological potential, technical availability and economically and ecologically sustainable availability.
SAFE – voluntary forest carbon credits
2025–2026 · SAFE S.c.a.r.l.
The project assesses the technical, economic and regulatory feasibility of a portfolio of voluntary forest carbon-credit projects in Italy.
Treedom – methodology for estimating tree carbon storage
2021–2022 · Treedom
The project developed and updated the scientific basis used to estimate tree biomass, carbon storage and CO₂ uptake across Treedom projects in different regions of the world.
Trees, forests and public health – evidence-based Nature-Based Solutions
2024–2025 · Regione Lombardia – Directorate General for Welfare
Alongside the evidence synthesis, the project developed an operational monitoring protocol.
Modena – strategic plan for urban green infrastructure and forests
2024–2026 · Municipality of Modena / Fondazione AlberItalia ETS
The project develops a scientific and operational basis for the planning, management and design of Modena’s urban green infrastructure and forests, integrating vegetation structure, ecosystem services, accessibility, ecological connectivity, public health, climate resilience and priorities for new interventions.…
Cologno Monzese – Urban Nature Plan and green-space management
2025–2026 · Municipality of Cologno Monzese
The scientific collaboration between the Municipality of Cologno Monzese and the University of Milan’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences supports the development of the municipal Green Plan and future Urban Nature Plan, integrating knowledge of the tree resource, ecosystem services,…
Levissima / Sanpellegrino – Water regeneration and post-Vaia forest restoration
2021–2026 · Sanpellegrino S.p.A. / Levissima
The collaboration between Sanpellegrino, the University of Milan and Consorzio Forestale Alta Valtellina started in 2021 to adapt the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) methodology to forested slopes in Valdisotto, severely affected by Storm Vaia and the subsequent expansion of Ips typographus. The research…
Parco Agricolo Sud Milano – tree resources, connectivity and management
2021–2023 · Parco Agricolo Sud Milano
The study combined field surveys, Copernicus and DUSAF data, AirTree growth modelling, analysis of forest harvesting, ecological connectivity, climate scenarios, invasive species, riparian vegetation, Natura 2000 sites, air pollution and forest-health issues.
Valmalenco – Ancient Trees Trail
Valmalenco · research, old trees and territorial enhancement The project originated from research and enhancement of ancient trees in upper Valmalenco, regarded as scientific assets, witnesses of mountain-landscape history and a resource for slow and sustainable tourism. The study combined tree surveys, dendrochronological analysis, geomorphological and climatic assessment, land use, hydrogeological instability, the existing trail network and Natura 2000 constraints. The project area extends between Chiareggio, Pian del Lupo and Val Sissone and partly overlaps the IT2040017 Disgrazia–Sissone Special Area of Conservation.
33 large trees were surveyed: 22 European larches, 6 Swiss stone pines and 5 Norway spruces.
Valli del Verbano – conservation, resilience and management of forest habitats
2023–2026 · Comunità Montana Valli del Verbano
The collaboration between Forest Lab and Comunità Montana Valli del Verbano integrates several applied-research activities addressing forest conservation and resilience, with particular focus on the Val Veddasca, Monte Sangiano and Monti della Valcuvia Special Areas of Conservation.
ERSAF / Lombardy Forest Fire Planning – wildfire prevention and planning
Long-term collaborations · ERSAF / Lombardy Region – forest fire prevention
The collaboration with ERSAF on wildfire prevention supports regional planning through quantitative analyses of fire hazard, potential fire behaviour and exposure of vulnerable assets.
Parco Italia – afforestation, restoration and ecological connectivity
Since 2021 · Fondazione AlberItalia ETS / Stefano Boeri Architetti
Parco Italia is a national afforestation and ecological restoration project designed to build a continuous territorial network of forests, natural and protected areas, ecological corridors, agricultural and agroforestry systems, and urban and peri-urban green infrastructure.
RiForestAzione – Climate transition strategy for Valle Seriana
2025–2027 · Fondazione Cariplo – Climate Strategy
RiForestAzione develops a territorial climate-adaptation and mitigation strategy for Valle Seriana, integrating bark beetle outbreaks, drought, wildfire, hydrogeological hazards, biodiversity, forest management and the forest–wood value chain.
Lombardy Region – Direct protection forests
2024–2026 · Lombardy Region
The project develops methods to identify, characterise and map forests that directly protect people, buildings and infrastructure from avalanches, rockfall, shallow landslides and debris flows.
Lombardy Region – Identification and characterisation of old-growth forests
2024–2026 · Lombardy Region
The project develops a scientific methodology to identify, characterise and map forests showing old-growth features in Lombardy, supporting the identification of areas potentially eligible for the Italian National Old-Growth Forest Network and the development of conservation criteria.
Lombardy Regional Forest Programme
2024–2026 · ERSAF / Lombardy Region
ForestLab contributes to the preparation of the new Lombardy Regional Forest Programme, the strategic instrument defining objectives and actions for forests, the forestry sector and related value chains in accordance with Italy’s National Forest Strategy.
Criteria for Forest Management Plans in Lombardy
2024–2025 · D.R.E.AM. Italia / ERSAF
ForestLab contributed to updating the regional criteria for preparing and approving Forest Management Plans, adapting them to regulatory changes, new survey technologies and the requirements of multifunctional and adaptive forest management.
Campo dei Fiori – Forest resilience, wildfire and hydrogeological protection
2021; 2023–2025 · Campo dei Fiori Regional Park / Municipality of Luvinate / Fondazione Cariplo
ForestLab carried out two complementary studies in Campo dei Fiori Regional Park: support for forest recovery and hydrogeological protection after the 2017 wildfire, and assessment of future forest resilience to wildfire, drought, wind and climate change.
Branzi – Bark beetle outbreak, forest decline and restoration strategies
2021–2023 · Municipality of Branzi
The project reconstructed the expansion of Ips typographus outbreaks in Norway spruce forests at Branzi and analysed interactions among bark beetles, wind damage, drought and heat waves.
Science communication
OK!Clima – Making climate change tangible
2021–2023 · Fondazione Cariplo
OK!Clima focuses on making climate change understandable through its observable consequences and through choices that can be discussed at the scale of places, communities and everyday decisions.
Breaking Climate – Climate as news
2026–2027 · Fondazione Cariplo
Breaking Climate develops a journalism-oriented approach to climate communication in which climate change is treated not as a specialized environmental topic but as a factor increasingly shaping health, work, energy, food, mobility, tourism, industry, public policy and territorial change.
Earthrise 23 – Design for a Living Planet
Earthrise 23 – Design for a Living Planet connects scientific knowledge, design and communication around environmental change. Forest Lab contributes the perspective of forest ecosystems, which provide particularly effective examples for making visible ecological processes operating across spatial and temporal scales that are difficult to perceive in everyday life. Tree growth, carbon accumulation, disturbance, succession, biodiversity and climate responses become ways of discussing the relationship between environmental transformation and the capacity of societies to imagine and design alternative futures.
A central challenge is to translate complex processes without reducing them to overly simple representations.
Inside the Forests – Scuola Forestami
2022–2024 · Forestami / Parco Nord Milano
Inside the Forests is an educational and science-communication programme developed within Scuola Forestami to provide tools for understanding how forests and urban woodlands function.
2020–2023 · LIFE Programme · Coordinator: Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies LIFE CO2PES&PEF developed tools to integrate sustainable forest management, climate mitigation and the economic valorisation of ecosystem services. The...
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2020–2023 · Lombardy Region – Research Call 2018 · Coordinator: University of Turin Scientific lead: Renzo Motta USEFOL developed tools for the integrated assessment of sustainable forest management, wood availability,...
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2025–2030 · Horizon Europe – Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” URSOILL develops and tests innovative approaches to urban-soil restoration through five European Urban Living Labs, integrating nature-based solutions, monitoring...
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2024–2028 · European Urban Initiative · Project leader: Municipality of Milan GOCCIA addresses the regeneration of the former industrial area of Bovisa and the conservation and enhancement of Bosco La...
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2026–2028 · Lombardy CAP Strategic Plan / CSR 2023–2027 – SRG01 EIP-AGRI Operational Groups · Lead partner: Sata Studio AgronomicoScientific lead: Lorenzo Rossi VitiSilvA investigates the integration of trees, forests,...
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2025–2027 · Fondazione Cariplo – Climate Strategy · Coordinator: Comunità Montana Valle Seriana RiForestAzione develops a territorial climate-adaptation and mitigation strategy for Valle Seriana, integrating bark beetle outbreaks, drought, wildfire,...
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2024–2026 · Lombardy Region · University of MilanScientific lead: Alessio Cislaghi The project develops methods to identify, characterise and map forests that directly protect people, buildings and infrastructure from avalanches,...
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2024–2026 · Lombardy Region · University of MilanScientific lead: Matteo Vizzarri The project develops a scientific methodology to identify, characterise and map forests showing old-growth features in Lombardy, supporting the...
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2024–2026 · ERSAF / Lombardy Region · Scientific support: University of Milan ForestLab contributes to the preparation of the new Lombardy Regional Forest Programme, the strategic instrument defining objectives and...
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2024–2025 · D.R.E.AM. Italia / ERSAF · Lombardy Region ForestLab contributed to updating the regional criteria for preparing and approving Forest Management Plans, adapting them to regulatory changes, new survey...
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2021; 2023–2025 · Campo dei Fiori Regional Park / Municipality of Luvinate / Fondazione Cariplo ForestLab carried out two complementary studies in Campo dei Fiori Regional Park: support for forest...
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2021–2023 · Municipality of Branzi · University of Milan The project reconstructed the expansion of Ips typographus outbreaks in Norway spruce forests at Branzi and analysed interactions among bark beetles,...
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Long-term research collaborations · Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park · University of Milan · University of Turin for wildfire research Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park · University of Milan · University of...
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2021–2023 · Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino · University of Milan · University of Pavia The project Analysis of forest resilience to climate change in the Ticino Park investigated...
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2023–2025 · Val di Mello Nature Reserve · The forest component is based on 65 study plots distributed across the main Natura 2000 forest habitats. Measurements included stand structure, biomass,...
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2024–2028 · Sorgenia / #RigeneraBoschi · The 2026–2028 extension adds sites in Lazio and Sicily, bringing the #RigeneraBoschi network to eight forests. Activities include network maintenance, continuous data acquisition and...
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2026–2029 · Fondazione Gabaldo · University of Milan The project establishes a permanent experimental forest in the Commenda area of the Colli Berici, testing planting strategies designed to increase the...
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2025–2027 · Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico (RSE) · Research Fund for the Italian Electrical System · The Forest and woodland resource management project, developed by the University of Milan and...
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2025–2026 · SAFE S.c.a.r.l. · University of MilanUniMi scientific lead: Anna Giorgi and Giorgio Vacchiano The project assesses the technical, economic and regulatory feasibility of a portfolio of voluntary forest...
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2021–2022 · Treedom · University of Milan · Final report – Carbon Sink study – University of Milan for Treedom (5 October 2022) · Treedom allometric-equation database – 180 species,...
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2024–2025 · Regione Lombardia – Directorate General for Welfare · University of Milan · The project Effects of trees and forests on public health: an evidence-based synthesis supports Regione Lombardia...
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2024–2026 · Municipality of Modena / Fondazione AlberItalia ETS · University of Milan · Elements for a strategic plan for the management of urban green infrastructure and forests in Modena...
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2025–2026 · Municipality of Cologno Monzese · University of Milan The scientific collaboration between the Municipality of Cologno Monzese and the University of Milan’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences...
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2024–2025 · National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) / PNRR – NextGenerationEU · Lead applicant: Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park · BIO-WATCH develops a shared and participatory biodiversity-monitoring system across 8,528 ha...
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2021–2026 · Sanpellegrino S.p.A. / Levissima · Valdisotto, Italian Alps · Available results show that deadwood volume in the main treated areas decreased by approximately 2,000 m³, while retaining part...
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2021–2023 · Parco Agricolo Sud Milano · Connectivity analysis showed that between 2012 and 2018 tree-covered area declined by 5.6%, ecological corridors by 19% and overall connectivity by 21%, while...
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Valmalenco · research, old trees and territorial enhancement The project originated from research and enhancement of ancient trees in upper Valmalenco, regarded as scientific assets, witnesses of mountain-landscape history and...
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2023–2026 · Comunità Montana Valli del Verbano · A first research line assessed the conservation status of four Natura 2000 forest habitats – 9110, 9130, 9180* and 91H0* – across...
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Long-term collaborations · ERSAF / Lombardy Region – forest fire prevention The collaboration with ERSAF on wildfire prevention supports regional planning through quantitative analyses of fire hazard, potential fire behaviour...
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Since 2021 · Fondazione AlberItalia ETS / Stefano Boeri Architetti Parco Italia is a national afforestation and ecological restoration project designed to build a continuous territorial network of forests, natural...
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2021–2023 · Fondazione Cariplo OK!Clima focuses on making climate change understandable through its observable consequences and through choices that can be discussed at the scale of places, communities and everyday...
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2026–2027 · Fondazione Cariplo · University of Milan + Climate Media Center Italia Breaking Climate develops a journalism-oriented approach to climate communication in which climate change is treated not as...
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Earthrise 23 – Design for a Living Planet connects scientific knowledge, design and communication around environmental change. Forest Lab contributes the perspective of forest ecosystems, which provide particularly effective examples...
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2022–2024 · Forestami / Parco Nord Milano · scientific curatorship Inside the Forests is an educational and science-communication programme developed within Scuola Forestami to provide tools for understanding how forests...
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2026–2033 · LIFE Programme – Nature and Biodiversity · European Commission LIFE FOREST4FUTURE develops and applies an adaptive, resilient and multifunctional forest model based on Nature-Based Solutions. The project aims...
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2022–2025 · PNRR – National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies AGRITECH · Spoke 7 · Task 7.2.2 LEAF – reaLizing the potEntial of itAlian mountain Forests to provide goods and...
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2025–2029 · Horizon Europe · Coordinator: University of Oulu FORbEST investigates the forest biodiversity–climate nexus to identify conservation, management and restoration strategies capable of maintaining forests rich in both carbon...
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2024–2027 · ForestValue2 · Coordinator: University of Milan Scientific lead: Matteo Vizzarri SOSFOR develops an operational framework to identify sustainable operating spaces for forest management in fragile and marginal European...
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2021–2025 · Horizon 2020 · Coordinator: European Forest Institute SUPERB developed and tested solutions for large-scale forest restoration across twelve European demonstration areas. ForestLab contributed to the Po Valley Demo...
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2023–2025 · PRIN / PNRR – Italian Ministry of University and Research · Coordinator: University of Turin REWILD-FIRE investigates trade-offs between increased carbon storage through natural reforestation, rewilding and proforestation...
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2023–2026 · PRIN 2022 / PNRR – Italian Ministry of University and Research · Coordinator: University of Milan FIRE-BOX developed a nationally harmonised, open-access toolbox for wildfire prevention, simulation and...
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