In Italy, forest land abandonment is a growing challenge that threatens the resilience and stability of ecosystems. Fragmented ownership and a lack of active management increase vulnerability to climate risks such as wildfires and biodiversity loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a new scientific article published in <\/span>Acta Silvae et Ligni<\/span><\/i>, our team investigates how associative organisational models can offer a viable governance solution to this issue, with a particular focus on the Italian context.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key findings<\/b>
\nThrough a qualitative analysis of academic literature and policy documents, the paper explores the associative tools supported by Italian forest legislation \u2014 including forest consortia, associations, and cooperatives \u2014 and the policy framework enabling their implementation. However, a lack of updated data on forest ownership and land abandonment, particularly in private areas, limits the effectiveness of these solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why associations matter<\/b>
\n<\/span>Moving towards collective forest management is essential to overcome structural fragmentation. Associative models promote sustainable practices, stakeholder engagement, and better use of natural resources.<\/span><\/p>\n