Levissima / Sanpellegrino – Water regeneration and post-Vaia forest restoration
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 of the deadwood as a temporary carbon pool, biodiversity substrate and soil-protection component. In 2025, 871 regenerating trees belonging to six species were recorded in the main areas affected by silvicultural interventions.
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 combines field surveys, remote sensing and modelling to identify vulnerable areas, simulate disturbance and restoration scenarios, and quantify benefits related to infiltration, runoff, slope stability and carbon storage.
The first phase developed bark-beetle and restoration scenarios, assessed hydrological and environmental benefits, and translated the results into differentiated restoration measures according to disturbance type and severity. Interventions include management of damaged stands, retention of seed trees and deadwood, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and reforestation, with particular attention to protection functions and slope stability. Since 2024, Forest Lab has systematically monitored restoration effectiveness through pre- and post-intervention measurements of stand structure, growing stock, deadwood, regeneration, vegetation composition and diversity, carbon, soil properties and infiltration.
Related research lines: Forest restoration, rewilding and afforestation · Forest resilience, extreme events and disturbances
Reports and outputs: 2022 final report – Water-related multi-hazard assessment and VWBA in Valdisotto · Forest restoration intervention guidelines · 2024 report – Forest condition after Storm Vaia and bark beetle disturbance · 2025 report – Assessment of forest restoration interventions in Valdisotto