By Giovanni Santopuoli.
This was the topic of the event organized by a team of early researchers from University of Molise leading by Giovanni Santopuoli in occasion of the National Trees Day (21st November 2022).
The event was realised, in cooperation with the Reparto Carabinieri Biodiversità of Isernia, within the new Marteloscope located at Collemeluccio Forest Reserve, in Molise (Italy), a mixed fir and oak tree species forest.
Collemeluccio forest represents one of the rare natural refugia for Abies alba Mill., after the last glaciation and was recognised as a seed forest and consequently included in the seed forest book. Because its high ecological value, it was also recognised as a site of Natura 2000 network, and a core area of the Man and Biosphere Reserve.
The students were excited to discover tree-related microhabitats and to learn how these ecological niches host several living organisms. Though the young age, students were able to appreciate the biodiversity value of the mixed forests and recognised the role of TreMs to promote biodiversity conservation. They were also involved to count tree rings and to plant two young native Abies alba Mill. seedlings.