The lines of research implemented with the Project
The project “Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability of Marganai Coppices” will reach its goals following six different research lines:
• FOREST
Analysis of the vegetation through remote sensing data
- The changes that have occurred in the Marganai forest in the last decades will be outlined using both historical and the most recent aerial images.
- Thanks to the support of satellite imagery, various parameters which help to characterize the existing vegetation will be evaluated.
• HISTORY
Historical analysis of forest uses
- By analyzing both technical and social motivations of the main changes and management choices, the recent history of the Marganai forest will be retraced.
• SILVICULTURE
Monitoring of the effects of silvicultural treatments
- A soil erosion monitoring system will be developed under different silvicultural treatments that have been carried out in areas with a varying degree of risk.
- Forest stand structures issued from different types of management will be analyzed.
• HYDROGEOLOGICAL INSTABILITY
Impact of forest utilizations on the erosion risk
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The extent of soil loss due to erosion in Marganai holm oak coppice forests will be evaluated
• ECONOMY AND PERCEPTION
Analysis of socio-economic aspects
- By means of questionnaires submitted to students of secondary school and interviews from a sample of citizens, the common perception of the forest and the needs of local communities will be investigated.
- Through the involvement of local forest holdings and public bodies the economic potential of the wood-energy sector will be analyzed.
• LANDSCAPE
Analysis of the forest landscape
- The historical and cultural landscape which characterizes the Marganai forest will be studied.