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At the end of the last century, European Union (EU) energy policies encouraged the use of dedicated short rotation forestry (SRF) plantations in member countries in which fast-growing woody species are grown for energy purposes. Recently, in Italy some SRF plantations developed in the 90s have been abandoned or managed more extensively for economic and environmental reasons. However, these abandoned plantations can play a key role in biodiversity conservation and carbon storage. The present study is aimed to estimate carbon stock (C-stock) in living biomass and deadwood in three abandoned SRF plantations in Central Italy. The C-stock was estimated in three different 20-years SRF plantations (hybrid poplar, willow, black locust) located on the same site and unmanaged for 15 years. The results show a C-stock considering three of five C pools equal to: 47.30 MgC ha−1 for hybrid poplar (65.3% in biomass and 34.7% in deadwood respectively), 23.02 MgC ha−1 for willow (77.6% and 22.4% respectively), and 80.41 MgC ha−1 for black locust (95.9% and 4.1% respectively). Outcomes of this research offer support for the forest restoration practices of similar abandoned SRF plantations. The application of extensive management techniques and the development of the naturalization process will ensure the role of biodiversity reservoir of these plantations, helping their evolution toward semi-natural systems mainly oriented to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar (BC) soil amendments could partially counteract soil carbon (C) stock decrease in broad-leaved forests in Italy; however, its effects on the growth of representative tree species—Fagus sylvatica L. and Quercus cerris L.—has not yet been addressed. We examine whether seed germination and growth of these species are affected by addition of BC obtained from deciduous broadleaf trees. Seeds were left to germinate in greenhouse conditions under three different BC amendments: 0% (control), 10% and 20% (v/v). Seedlings were then subjected to controlled conditions under the same BC percentage. Biochar effects on seed germination were assessed measuring germination time and percentage, while effects on photosynthesis were assessed using leaf chlorophyll content (mg/m2) and photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM). Plant growth was estimated by recording leaf number, longest leaf length and plant height. Biochar treatments had no negative effects on germination and early growth stage of the two species. Positive effects were found on the chlorophyll content of both species (ca. +8%) regardless of the treatment and on the leaf number (+30%), leaf length (+14%) and plant height (+48%) of Q. cerris (only with 10% BC). Biochar applications seem, therefore, a suitable method for increasing broad-leaved forest C stock in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework, consistent data collections are the prerequisite for a successful reporting of GHG emissions. For such purposes, NFIs are usually the primary source of information, even if they are frequently not designed for producing estimations on a yearly basis and in the form of wall-to-wall high-resolution maps. In this framework, we present a new spatial model to produce yearly growing stock volume (GSV), above-ground biomass (AGB), and carbon stock wall-to-wall estimates. We tested the model in Italy for the period 2005–2018, obtaining a time-series of yearly maps at 23 m spatial resolution. Results were validated against the 2015 Italian NFI reaching an average RMSE% of 19% for aggregated areas. Results were also compared against data reported by the Italian GHG inventory, reaching an RMSE% of 28% and 20% for GSV and carbon stock respectively. We demonstrated that the modeling approach can be successfully used for setting up a forest monitoring system to meet the interests of governments in inventories of GHG emissions and private entities in carbon offset investments. • A spatial approach for multitemporal estimation of carbon stock is presented. • The approach is consistent with the IPCC's best guidance and practices. • The aboveground carbon stock of forests in Italy exceeded 566 million tons in 2018. • Results are consistent with official Greenhouse gasses and national forest inventories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is showing a rapid increase due to the high global demand for hazelnuts from the confectionery industry also affecting Italy, which is the second largest hazelnut producing country after Turkey. Like most tree crops, hazelnut tree planting includes land preparation and frequent tillage operations during the first years of growing seasons to avoid weed competition, whereas after 3 years the soils are usually permanently grass covered. The aim of this work is to develop a model of carbon sequestration based on the age of hazelnut orchards, using permanent grasslands as reference for previous land use. The results demonstrate that soil carbon stock (sCS 30) tends to decrease between 23% and 58% during the first 3–5 years after cultivation. This carbon depletion is only partially compensated by the carbon sequestration of the hazelnut trees, variable from about 0.6–3.3 Mg C ha−1. Adult hazelnut orchards showed high levels of sCS 30 , as well as higher carbon stock (CS) from tree biomass, resulting in similar, or even higher carbon sequestration potential of the grassland. In some cases, excessive nitrogen fertilization seems to decrease the carbon sequestration potential of the soil. In conclusion, the land use change from grassland to hazelnut cultivation has a short-term negative impact in terms of soil carbon sequestration. In orchards with optimal fertilization and management, sCS 30 is recovered and exponentially increased, highlighting the high carbon sequestration potential offered by this kind of perennial nut crop. [Display omitted] • Hazelnut tree cultivation is strongly increasing in Mediterranean and temperate climate. • Grasslands to hazelnut conversion have negative effects on SOC during the first 3–5 years. • Adult hazelnut orchards sequester much organic carbon, both in soil and in tree. • Hazelnut orchards older than 35 years usually show higher soil carbon stock than grassland. • Nitrogen fertilization seems to affect the soil carbon storage potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent attempts to mitigate global change have brought forestry-based carbon (C) sequestration into sharp focus due to its potential to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. However, the consequences of actual forest management practices on C storage capacity are still controversial to a certain extent. Under such a perspective, a distinctive relevant issue concerns the management of forest ecosystems within areas specifically designated for nature conservation. From the analysis of biomass data from forests in the National Parks of Italy, we found that the average forest C stock and sink per unit area is relatively higher within National Parks (81.21 and 2.18 tons ha−1, respectively) than on the overall national territory (76.11 and 1.12 tons ha−1 year−1, respectively). The analysis confirms the influence of ecological conditions and management approach on C sequestration capacity. Although the results of the proposed assessment approach have to be considered as rough estimates, the trial proves interesting, given the relative lack of specific information, at least on a large scale, about C stocks and sinks within forest areas designated for nature conservation, and the direct comparison with those forest areas not designated to such an end. The C storage capacity can be enhanced by increasing the productivity of forests, minimizing the disturbance to stand structure and composition. Extending conservation strategies adopted in National Parks to other forest areas of the national territory would allow the restoration of C sequestration potential, where unsustainable management practices have degraded relatively large stocks of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Gas emissions from anthropic activities, particularly CO2, are responsible for global warming. Soil is a major carbon sink on a planetary level, thereby contributing to mitigate greenhouse effect. In the present work, the objectives were: 1) to evaluate the topsoil carbon stock of different forest stands in NE Italy, and 2) to outline the relationships among humus forms, soil organic matter dynamics, and actual carbon stock under different vegetation coverage, with reference to climate change. Five forest stands and the related topsoils, were selected in the Dolomites area. The humus forms were examined in the field and samples were carried to the lab for further physical-chemical analyses. The carbon stock for each soil was calculated by means of pedotransfer functions. The less developed humus forms, as the Dysmull and the Hemimoder, presented the highest carbon storage capacity (168 t/y and 129 t/y), followed by Lithoamphimus (123 t/y) and Eu-amphimus (96 t/y), and by Oligomull (86 t/y). Organic horizons proved to recover 36% of the total carbon stocked along the soil profile, and this points to humus layers as a fundamental tool in carbon stock evaluation. Positive correlations between elevation, humus forms and soil carbon pools were found. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In order to estimate carbon stock in above ground biomass (CS-AGB) of M. Pizzalto forest in the Central-Apennines in Italy, the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index data (NDVI and EVI) were used in combination with field data. Biotic and abiotic parameters (slope angle, slope gradient, elevation, seasonal incoming solar radiation, length of growing season (LGS), soil type and forest management type) has been used in the modelling. NDVI and EVI values of field samples were extracted and used to estimate the LGS of beech forest for the six year period (2005-2010).Two management types, old-growth forest and young forest, showed average AGB and CS-AGB were 247 and 123 tons.ha-1 respectively in 2010 comparable to values for beech forests in the Apennines and Europe. LGS and management are the significant variables in a linear regression model for CS - AGB. Therefore, the forest authority can manage the young forest as sinks of carbon in agreement with the Kyoto protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A methodology for estimating regional soil organic carbon content has been developed. • A national SOC estimate for forest and agro-ecosystems in Italy is provided. • Soil organic carbon content under climate change conditions has been calculated. • Climate change causes a moderate soil carbon loss for forested and tree crop soils. The soil organic carbon (SOC) is the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial biosphere, second only to oceans, containing twice as much carbon as the atmosphere and three times that stored in global vegetation. Climate change (CC) is expected to impact this carbon pool. To date, large uncertainties still persist on the effects of CC on SOC stocks. In addition, a shortage of data related to regional SOC quantities of tree-covered areas and future changes under CC conditions is recognized. In this work, we used a spatial-explicit modelling approach to estimate the current SOC stock (at 2005) and future changes (at 2095) under CC conditions of the whole forest, tree crop, grassland, and pasture covered areas of Italy. A methodology was preliminarily implemented to obtain spatialized SOC estimates at a regional scale by using the CENTURY 5 model coupled with spatialized vegetation, soil, and climate data. We ran both moderate (RCP4.5) and extreme (RCP8.5) climatic scenarios, and used three Global Circulation Models for each one of the four ecosystems described above. The current SOC stock estimates range from 51.3 (orchards) to 129.5 Mg carbon ha−1 (coniferous forests) and we found an overall SOC stock in Italy ranging from 1320.1 to 1425.1 Tg. SOC projections under CC showed a moderate carbon loss suggesting that forest, grassland, and permanent crop soils could provide an important contribution to climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]