From Deforestation to Forestation: The Long-term Experience of a Mediterranean Area

The present work analyzes trends over time and spatial patterns of an indicator of efficiency in sustainable governance of woodland (per capita forest land) over a sufficiently long time interval (1960–2010) in a Southern European region (Attica, Greece). The results of our study revealed how forest land per capita in Attica had a general and progressive decrease during the study period. Only a few municipalities showed an increase in the indicator in the most recent decade (2000–2010) as a consequence of forest expansion in abandoned and marginal areas. Results confirm that economically dynamic districts can be sensitive to deforestation, because of land take and urbanization of fringe land. Specific measures such as the protection of forests and rural areas are increasingly needed. The establishment of new forests in rural municipalities and the active management of spontaneous woodlots can help improving their functionality, quality and accessibility, promoting more sustainable urbanization in metropolitan regions.