Sorgenia / TreeTalker – continuous forest monitoring
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 analysis, and periodic scientific reports. · Related publication: Vizzarri M. et al. (2025). Hearing nature’s heartbeat: towards large-scale real-time forest monitoring network in Italy. iForest 18: 202–211.
Continuous monitoring of tree physiology and condition using IoT sensors installed across multiple forest sites. Within #RigeneraBoschi, Sorgenia and Forest Lab developed an experimental continuous-monitoring network based on TreeTalker Cyber sensors to assess how individual trees and forest stands respond to silvicultural management and climatic conditions. The project started in 2024 in six Italian forests – Parco Nord Milano, Collina di Pondo, Massa Marittima, Bosco Incoronata, Piani di Masistro and Bosco Magnano – with six instrumented trees per site and an experimental design comparing managed and unmanaged stands.
TreeTalker observations are complemented by measurements of forest structure, regeneration, soil, litter and deadwood. Sensors provide continuous information on radial growth, sap flow, canopy activity, stem movement and microclimatic conditions. Preliminary analyses reveal substantial site-to-site variability in tree responses to management and climatic stress. Despite heterogeneous sensor coverage, the observations identify seasonal patterns in radial growth and sap flow, summer declines in hydraulic activity, and relationships among canopy condition, growth and forest management.
Related research lines: Monitoring, remote sensing and forest modelling · Forest dynamics and climate change
Reports and outputs: #RigeneraBoschi interim scientific report – September 2025 · #RigeneraBoschi – Sorgenia