Recent trends in forest cover changes: only positive implications?

• DOI: 10.4129/ifm.2015.4.03
• Publication Date: 2016-02-04T11:04:32Z
• Authors: Lorenzo Sallustio; Annamaria Simpatico; Michele Munafò; Carmen Giancola; Roberto Tognetti; Matteo Vizzarri; Marco Marchetti
• Keywords: Forest cover

During the last 50 years, Italian landscape has been subjected by different land use and cover changes (LULCC).The IUTI inventory (Inventario dell'Uso delle Terre d'Italia) is proved to be a cheaper, fast statistically accurate method for LULCC monitoring.The aim of this study summarize trends at national level, in Italy, focusing on natural reforestation processes macroregions level.Some effects ecosystem services provisioning (carbon storage sequestration, biodiversity conservation) have also analysed.Although one side forest re-growth represents positive opportunity terms mitigation strategies due enhancement potential carbon sinks, other side, abandonment agro-pastoral practices, several negative impacts from an environmental, economic social perspective.