Forest technicians, master students, forest researchers, and carabinieri forestali visited the Collemeluccio (Italy) Marteloscope on the International Day of Forests (21 March 2023) to discuss silvicultural scenarios of a Mediterranean mixed forest.

Colemeluccio forest is a mixed conifer and broadleaves forest representing one exceptional refugia of silver fir Mill. belonging to the Apennine Mountains.

There were training activities focused on two main management objectives: (i) promoting the genetic conservation and seed dispersal of silver fir; (ii) promoting the natural regeneration of oak tree species.

After a brief introduction to the Marteloscope by Prof. Giovanni Santopuoli (University of Molise), the participants were divided into 4 mixed teams to implement the Marteloscope exercises. Subsequently, there was an interesting discussion among participants on the effects of silvicultural scenarios through a comparison with silvicultural interventions commonly implemented in the surrounding forest.

Despite the contrasting point of view, all participants recognized the usefulness of Marteloscope to interactive discussions on forest management strategies.