- 1University of Sassari, Nuoro Forestry School, Dipartimento di Agraria, Sassari, Italy (fgiadrossich@uniss.it)
- 2Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
- 3Department of Agricultural, Forestry, Food and Environmental Sciences (DAFE), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
- 4CoSci LLC, Shorewood, WI 53211, USA
Protection forests play a critical role in mitigating surface landslides and controlling hydrological processes, yet their identification and assessment remain a challenge in forest and land management. This study, conducted as part of the PRIN-PNRR MILETO project, introduces in Italy a novel procedure for identifying protection forests using a deterministic statistical approach tailored to surface landslides in Italy. The SlideForMAP software forms the core of this methodology, integrating key inputs on soil and vegetation characteristics to assess landslide susceptibility. By explicitly incorporating the role of vegetation, the software offers a refined analysis of areas prone to landslides. Computationally efficient, the method supports the evaluation of extensive regions, facilitating applications at a regional scale.
In southern Italy the MILETO project has implemented this methodology to map and evaluate protection forests though case studies. These areas, often characterized by steep terrain and varying climatic conditions, are particularly prone to hydrogeological hazards like landslides. The project focuses on linking hydrological and soil stability models with vegetation dynamics, a key determinant in mitigating landslide risk.
These outputs provide actionable insights for forest and land managers. The hazard maps enable planners to pinpoint locations where protection forests mitigate landslide risks most effectively, while heat maps highlight areas for intervention to enhance forest functionality. This systematic approach bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical forest management, supporting sustainable landscape practices and disaster risk reduction approaches. By focusing on direct protection forest detection, this case study in southern Italy contributes to integrating environmental modelling and geospatial data to create a robust framework for safeguarding vulnerable regions.
How to cite: Giadrossich, F., Trotta, S., Ngo, H. M., Sanesi, G., Scotti, R., Raffaella, L., Di Prima, S., and Cohen, D.: Mapping Direct Protection Forests Using SlideForMAP Software: A Case Study from the MILETO Project in Southern Italy, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19546, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19546, 2025.
