Forest areas cover large surfaces over many countries and are a very important resource that need to be protected and managed correctly. Forest have a key role for both the environment and the local communities. From an economical perspective, they represent an important source of income for local communities. At the same time, forests play a major role in the mitigation of climate change, can protect from or mitigate some risks (e.g. floods), but at the same time are exposed to several hazard and can play a role in triggering hazardous events or can contribute to exacerbate hazardous events (e.g. after a forest fires soil erosion is accelerated or even shallow landslide can be generated). Forest fires are the most common hazard, but several other hazard can occur, with impact that can influence the environment and the society. This session do not want to focus on forest fires, rather want to focus on other hazards affecting forest directly (e.g. treefall caused by wind or snow that can affect power lines or other infrastructures) or that occur in forested areas. Several of this impacts are dependent on local geomorphological characteristics, on the characteristics of the forest, but often climate play an important role as well. It is therefore important to consider these hazards in a context of climate variability (on a short time frame, for management purposes), but also in a context of climate change (on a medium/long term, for adaptation purposes).
Studies related to natural hazard and climate (both actual climate and future changes) on forest areas are encouraged to submit abstract in this session. Multidisciplinary studies including environmental and socio-economical components are also encouraged to apply.

We especially encourage, but not limit, the participation of Early Career Scientists interested in the field of Natural Hazards.

The session is organized in cooperation with NhET (Natural hazard Early career scientists Team).