Discussions on Mediterranean mixed forest silvicultural scenarios: the Collemeluccio Marteloscope

Discussions on Mediterranean mixed forest silvicultural scenarios: the Collemeluccio Marteloscope

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.