Second Report on the State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources - National Report: Italy

Foreword The period in which we are given to live is characterized by increasing complexities and evolutions at speeds never encountered before, and it is now clear to everyone that local crises and events rapidly become planetary issues since all realities are interconnected. Never as in recent years have trees and woods been so at the center of attention by citizens and institutions, in the common concern for the world's forests that are disappearing under the weight of economic pressures. And never has such a complex system, especially from a regulatory and competence point of view, needed coordination and sharing to face a challenge of global dimensions. It should be noted that the diversity of its innumerable components, the plurality of interests at stake, the multiplicity of protagonists and skills involved in forest life and management necessarily converge in the unity of the forest. The NEXT generation EU, the PNRR, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the EU and Italian Forestry Strategy strongly believe in the role of forests, and make large sums available to increase their resilience, to reverse the loss of biodiversity as well as mitigate and promote their adaptation to climate change. This is a complex challenge that deserves an equally complex response. "Planting better forests for a changing future" is not just an OECD slogan but summarizes a fundamental concept: the planting of new trees, whether it is to create urban and peri-urban forests, whether it is afforestation or restoration of degraded areas, must be carried out by planting "the right tree in the right place for the right purpose", which considers current conditions and possible future scenarios. In fact, the European strategy not only aims to promote the planting of 3 billion trees but "defines a vision and concrete actions to increase the quantity and quality of forests in the EU and strengthen their protection, restoration and resilience. " One of the systems to achieve this goal is the correct use of Forest Genetic Resources, but above all, their study, in-depth knowledge, and correct management; a complex management, in fact, in which study and research are closely connected with management and with regulatory instruments aimed at guaranteeing its correct use and an adequate level of conservation, to guarantee future generations. The Italian forestry world has understood the challenge well and is gearing up to respond effectively.