Tree-related microhabitats across urban, lowland and riparian areas: Implications for environmental management and biodiversity conservation (Thomas Campagnaro, thomas.campagnaro@unipd.it)

This project aims to assess the importance of trees for biodiversity in landscapes affected by different degrees of human influence. Understanding the role of trees and forests in supporting biodiversity is essential, particularly in the context of urbanization and environmental management. Tree-related microhabitats have gained increasing attention as critical components in evaluating trees' potential to serve as habitats for species. This study seeks to explore the availability of tree-related microhabitats across different landscapes and how their availability is shaped by planning and management activities.
A detailed sampling plan will be developed to assess anthropogenic influences on tree-related microhabitats across three distinct landscape contexts: urban, riparian, and lowland areas. In urban areas, the investigation will regard trees in parks, streets and gardens with varying levels of management and planning intensity to assess how urban green space management practices shape the availability of tree- related microhabitats. A test using drone and laser scanner technology to identify tree-related microhabitats will be carried out on trees in a selected urban historical park. In riparian areas, a comparison of trees in forests along rivers with different degrees of human disturbance will be conducted to investigate how different past and present river management influences the presence of tree-related microhabitats and their capacity to support biodiversity. In lowland areas, a comparison between restored (i.e., planted) and remnant (i.e., unmanaged) forest patches will provide important insights into the effectiveness of restoration efforts in enhancing tree-related microhabitat diversity and associated habitat provisioning.
Overall, the multidisciplinary project will integrate knowledge from urban planning, forest management and biodiversity conservation. It will provide recommendations for the planning and management of the urban green infrastructure to enhance biodiversity support. Furthermore, the results will provide guidance for effective riparian and lowland forest restoration strategies.

  XTREES – Xylem Traits and Extreme EventS (Marco Carrer, marco.carrer@unipd.it)

Extreme weather events (e.g., windstorms, late frosts) can produce significant impacts on forest ecosystems. However, when such events do not result in visible disturbances (e.g., treefall or defoliation), detecting their effects on tree vegetation becomes particularly challenging. This is primarily due to the long lifespan and resistance of trees, which enables them to withstand even intense but short-lived climatic phenomena without exhibiting evident damage.
The aim of this project is to identify and analyze the effects of extreme climatic events that are not always associated with visible canopy-level disturbances. By conducting detailed anatomical analyses of xylem traits—such as vessel and tracheid size and distribution, as well as the presence of traumatic tissues or parenchyma components—the project will attempt to detect permanent imprints of flash droughts, cold and heat waves, and windstorms.
The study will focus on the most widespread broadleaf and conifer species in Europe, including beech, Norway spruce, silver fir, Scots pine, oaks (Quercus spp.) and a shrub, common juniper. Collaborating with climatologist Michele Brunetti (CNR), the project will utilize long daily climate records, spanning at least a century, to extract extreme events and correlate them with long-term time series of xylem anatomical trait. In parallel, satellite data analysis—conducted in collaboration with Francesco Pirotti—will be used to upscale the effects of these climatic events and verify their correspondence with vegetation signals over the past two to three decades. These combined approaches will facilitate a spatiotemporal calibration between extreme events, such as flash droughts, and their anatomical imprints.
Ultimately, this research could enable the reconstruction of these relatively elusive climatic phenomena on multi-century timescales, allowing for a better contextualization of their current intensity and frequency within a long-term perspective.

  Policy and Planning of Food systems as a Tool for Regeneration of Fragile Territories (Catherine Dezio, catherine.dezio@unipd.it)

Food is a key topic in socioeconomic and environmental policies for reinterpreting and rebuilding local processes of production and consumption, thus contributing to the proper management of natural and social capital. Food has close connections with urban public policies, being a cross-cutting issue that affects local economy, public health, natural capital (landscape and ecosystem services), and quality of places. More and more cities now consider food as a central element around which to design sustainable territorial development. The actions taken leverage local agri-food systems to address economic, environmental, and social challenges and opportunities. Thus, food represents a strategic lever to broadly achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Growing public attention to the agri-food system has urged global policymakers to place greater emphasis on decisions that involve food, leading to the development of food policies aimed at enhance agri-food governance. These policies are approaches designed to guide and regulate food-related activities to achieve specific sustainability goals, coordinating the entire supply chain from cultivation to post-consumption. They concern territories, actors, tools, and processes. The potential cascading effect of applying these policies to the agri-food system can be a significant lever in achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals. So far, most of the studies have focused on urban food policies. However, same policies might represent crucial tools to regenerate fragile areas as well, such as rural and remote (i.e., aree interne) zones, depopulated villages, urban suburbs, and at-risk territories. The PhD candidate will investigate the mentioned nexuses in Italian rural areas, selecting some case studies with homogeneous geographical features. In particular, the identification of innovative agri-food policies will make it possible to act across various fronts that characterize places’ fragility: in service distribution, pollutant reduction, landscape protection, job creation, waste reduction, access to healthy food for all.

  Empowering Entrepreneurial Females in Wine Tourism: A Sustainable Development Model for Veneto, Italy (Luigi Galletto, luigi.galletto@unipd.it)

The following research proposal investigates the challenges that females face in the wine tourism sector, which has been historically predominated by male presence. Wine tourism is progressing in Italy and showing promising results in Conegliano Valdobbiadene area (Boatto et al., 2013). Women entrepreneurs are gaining momentum in shaping the wine tourism scene particularly in the Veneto region. Studying this region is of myriad importance as it is one of the major wine producing regions in Italy. This proposal presents a structural framework that will advance the analysis of the economic growth opportunities present for female as well as the maintenance of sustainability of rural areas and the contribution to cultural heritage (Annes & Wright, 2015; Wright & Annes, 2014).
Females represent roughly 25% of agricultural activities in Veneto. However, they face huge challenges, that prohibit them from accessing leadership roles as well as financial and socio-cultural capital limitations (Sviluppo Rurale Veneto & INEA, 2012). Wine tourism presents a transformative opportunity by integrating hospitality, marketing, and cultural storytelling into winemaking. Female-led initiatives in this sector can create an innovative branding style which promotes environmental sustainability and renews rural economies (Dangelico et al., 2019). Additionally, women’s involvement in wine tourism can be a catalyst for innovation, enhancing visitors’ experiences and brand engagement. This creates diversified revenue streams for wineries that offset seasonal fluctuations (Tourtelier et al., 2023).
This project will employ a mixed-method approach, encompassing qualitative interviews with female wine entrepreneurs, statistical analysis of gender employment gaps and trends, as well as a comparative evaluation of international best practices (Bignebat & El Hadad‐Gauthier, 2021). The objective is to develop policy recommendations and business strategies that promote gender inclusivity and sustainable development while addressing financial and social barriers. The research will also assess the role of digital tools and social media in amplifying female participation in the wine industry (García-Henche & Cuesta-Valiño, 2022).
The study aligns with the European Union sustainability goals, Italy’s strategic initiatives for female entrepreneurship, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UN Sustainable Development Goals). It contributes to academic discourse on gender equality in agribusiness while providing actionable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local businesses (Manfre et al., 2013). By bridging historical traditions with modern innovations, this research seeks to redefine the role of women in Veneto’s wine tourism sector, offering a replicable model for fostering inclusive economic growth and long-term industry sustainability.

  Prediction of avulsions on debris-flow fans and cones (Carlo Gregoretti, carlo.gregoretti@unipd.it)

The impact of abundant runoff against debris deposits causes the generation of a solid-liquid surge with a liquid body that routes downstream and entrains sediments increasing its volume up to ten times (Simoni et al., 2020) forming the so-called debris flows (DFs). Therefore, main factors for DF triggering and magnitude are the abundant runoff and sediment availability. The extreme rainfalls causing abundant runoff (Bollschweiler and Stoffel, 2010), as well as the rock failures that together permafrost degradation, provide the sediment availability (Damm and Felderer, 2013; Stoffel et al., 2014; Rengers et al., 2020) are increasing, and therefore, the raising of both frequency occurrence and magnitude of DFs. The increasing of DF events with large transported volumes of sediment, call for countermeasures: hazard assessment and corre-sponding control works. The DF hazard is mainly related to the to the extent of threatened are-as. In this context, the study of DF avulsion phenomena (De Haas et al., 2018), plays an im-portant role both for hazard assessment and the planning of countermeasures. This doctoral project points to identify the geological and geomorphological conditions for which avulsion phenomena can occur and the flow path after avulsion. First step is the identification of the re-lationships between avulsion locations and channel characteristics, constrain the controlling factors on avulsion, assess the probability that avulsion will occur at specified locations, and develop a method to predict avulsion locations. Second step is the coupling of avulsion points identification with the probabilistic model of Schiavo et al. (2024) for determining the flow di-rections after avulsion. The identification of avulsion points and the following flow path be-comes essential for the study of DF hazard on fan in a changing climate, and in the planning of countermeasures.

  Host plant–pathogen–vector interactions: short- and long-term impact on declining oak ecosystems (Benedetto Teodoro Linaldeddu, benedetto.linaldeddu@unipd.it)

Over the past decades, oak ecosystems have been seriously impacted by severe decline phenomena and extensive mortality events, revealing the high vulnerability of these formations. In particular, some species within the genera Diplodia and Phytophthora are considered a major threat to Mediterranean oak species. In addition, to plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes, several wood-boring insects can also contribute to oak decline onset. In particular, xylophagous insects are frequently implicated in oak declines in the Mediterranean region. Despite the serious damage caused by these pests and pathogens, until now, limited information is available regarding the ecological interactions among xylophagous insects and the main oak pathogens Diplodia corticola and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Therefore, given the alarming expansion of oak decline events in Italy and the limited information about the ecological interactions among insects and pathogens, it is scientifically relevant to expand knowledge on these relationships and in particular: 1) to evaluate the ecological interactions among plants, pathogens and insects, 2) to identify the determinants that contribute to invasiveness of plant pathogenic species with particular emphasis on the role of xylophagous insects as vectors, 3) to assess abiotic factors associated with pathogens and insect incidence at site-level and 4) to ascertain the ability of exotic insects to acquire microorganisms from the invaded environment and the factors that influence the take-up of new microorganisms.

  Tracing environmental and volcanic events in tree ring (Andrea Marzoli, andrea.marzoli@unipd.it)

We propose to constrain the timing of significant anthropogenic pollution and major volcanic eruptions from the last 1500 years by studying the chemical composition of tree rings, whose age is known essentially with no chronological uncertainty. Minor and trace elements in tree rings (samples collected in the Italian Alps, Scandinavia, Canada) will be used as proxies to identify pollution and high energetic volcanic events. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, it will be investigated if periods of sustained volcanic activity correspond to (a) periods of relatively cold climate as deduced from a previously long-period set of wood anatomical traits and possibly mitigating anthropogenic global warming during the last 2 centuries; (b) significant crises for human society and economy from the Middle to the Modern Ages. This will be a strongly innovative study exploring new grounds for an interdisciplinary approach including Forrest Sciences, Volcanology, Archeology. The project will be furthermore innovative in terms of analytical techniques applied to tree ring analyses, including micro-XRF techniques, when possible, in synchrotron light, and ICP-MS.

  Optimizing Agricultural Machinery with AI for Sustainable Plant Management (Luigi Sartori, luigi.sartori@unipd.it)

The recently published document on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture (December 2024) highlight the importance of reducing plant protection products (PPPs) while developing and utilizing biocontrol. These practices may involve the use of innovative and sustainable technologies, such us more efficient spraying machinery, and AI-driven spraying technologies. This research proposes an integrated approach utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), on-machine disease detection, precision and automation in spraying, addressing the need for more efficient pest and disease management.
The study aims to develop two interconnected AI-driven systems:
1-AI-driven plant features detection on farm machinery:
This system uses high-performance computing and deep learning for real-time features recognition (disease symptoms, plant structural features). Edge computing enables immediate identification, allowing for timely intervention. Models will be trained on field-acquired agricultural datasets, and field trials will measure this technology’s effectiveness compared to traditional inspection methods, focusing on detection accuracy and operational speed.
2- Precision and automation in PPP application system:
This component proposes to equip unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and conventional sprayers with the aforementioned AI technology for on-the-go disease detection and canopy volume assessment. Monocular Depth Estimation (MDE) or analogous AI-driven depth perception methodologies might be used to estimate key canopy metrics, including Leaf Area Index, Tree Row Volume, and Leaf Wall Area. These AI-derived metrics inform a UAV/UGV/conventional sprayer system employing Pulse Width Modulation nozzles. The selected UAV/UGV/conventional sprayer might be tested with state-of-the-art equipment for droplet analysis, drift measurement, 3D anemometer, vertical bench testing, and spray pattern assessment.
This project expects to demonstrate how AI-enhanced farm machinery can lead to substantial reductions in PPP usage, lower environmental footprint, and improved crop health and yield.

  Economic valuation of the multifunctional role of water: a tool for the definition of optimal tariffs (Mara Thiene, mara.thiene@unipd.it)

Water is a multifunctional resource which provides a variety of ecosystem services, from provisioning services for agricultural and urban uses to habitat for aquatic species. In Italy, however, this role is scarcely reflected in tap water tariffs, which are mostly based on technical parameters, investment, and environmental costs. Furthermore, the definition of tariffs does not typically account for consumers’ preferences, their adoption of measures for water conservation and reuse, and application of smart technologies for household water management.
Given the above background, the proposal aims at estimating the economic, environmental and social value of the ecosystem services provided by water that is used in water supply networks. To this end, non-market valuation techniques will be adopted (such as Choice Experiments). Data will be collected via a survey addressing a representative sample of consumers. This will allow to investigate population’s preferences towards quality attributes of tap water, improvement of provisioning/management services as well as water ecosystem services. The output of the socio-economic analysis will allow to inform the definition of tap water tariffs better aligned to the social and environmental value of such resource.

  Synthesis and characterization of sustainable bio-composites from agro-forestry waste streams (Gianluca Tondi, Gianluca.tondi@unipd.it)

The project consists in the identification of under-exploited agro-forestry waste streams and in the preparation of composites using tannin bio-based adhesives through hot-press processes. Candidate matrix for the composites are the waste of the production of wine, oil, as well as other organic materials such as frac (insects waste) or soil. However other resources will be also welcome as long as they will be sustainable. The so-made products will be characterized for their chemical and physical properties and they will be compared with the market dominating products. During the three years study several new composites will be prepared and the more promising will be optimized adjusting the processing parameters. This PhD study has the opportunity to gain a privileged outlook on various by-products so that composites made of more fractions could also be considered to achieve specific properties such as mechanical resistance, hydrophobicity, dimensional stability and fire resistance.

  Mechanisms of Aroma Release in Sparkling Wines (Simone Vincenzi, simone.vincenzi@unipd.it)

The sensory perception and overall quality of sparkling wines are influenced by the presence of CO₂, and potentially by  the intreaction between aroma compounds, and wine matrix components, including sugars, macromolecules, and colloidal particles deriving from both grapes and yeast. The project aims to elucidate the mechanisms governing aroma partitioning in sparkling wines. In particular, the study will investigate: (i) how CO₂ modulates the release and retention of key aroma compounds; (ii) how bubbles interact with aroma compounds; (iii) the role of macromolecules in aroma partitioning;  (iv) the effect of dosage on aroma composition of the headspace. Advanced analytical techniques, including gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) will be employed to characterize the dynamics of aroma transport and release in sparkling wines. The findings of this research will provide new insights into the physicochemical interactions governing sparkling wine quality and contribute to the optimization of production techniques to enhance aromatic expression.

  An interdisciplinary evaluation of the effects of hydrological and sediment connectivity on the water quality of Alpine streams (Giulia Zuecco, giulia.zuecco@unipd.it)

The availability and quality of water resources is threatened by more frequent extreme hydrometeorological events. In Alpine areas, extreme events (from flash floods to rain-on-snow) can affect the catchment hydrological response, the triggering of natural hazards and the quality of surface and subsurface waters during and after such events. For instance, extreme rainfall events can trigger soil erosion and landslides at the hillslope scale or can activate sediment transport along the main stream network and worsen the quality of stream waters. From another perspective, a reduced snow accumulation during winter and summer droughts can affect the recharge of groundwater and streams, which can become enriched in some ions and trace elements (also due to melting of subsurface ice) and consequently have a poor water quality.
During extreme hydrometeorological events (both floods and droughts), the quality of surface waters strongly depends on the hydrological and/or sediment connectivity between source areas and the stream network. Despite the vast literature on surface hydrological connectivity and sediment connectivity, there are very few studies combining both, focusing on the impacts on water quality and considering the latest advancements in the observation of hydrogeomorphic changes at a high temporal and spatial resolution.
Given the above background, this proposal is aimed at i) the investigation of the water quality of Alpine streams characterized by enhanced sediment transport (e.g., in glacier-melt dominated catchments) and/or threatened by hillslope scale processes (e.g., soil erosion), ii) the mapping and the detection of changes in sediment sources areas and the stream network using high-resolution remote sensing products, iii) the evaluation of the hydrological and sediment connectivity of sources areas and the main stream network.
The output of this investigation will allow to determine the risk associated to poor water quality during extreme hydrometeorological events.

  Climate Change and Land Use Impacts on Hydro-Geomorphic Processes from Uplands to Coastal Regions (Paolo Tarolli, paolo.tarolli@unipd.it)

Hydro-geomorphic processes are increasingly disrupted by climate change and anthropogenic land use modifications. The literature on this topic is rich, however a clear understanding of the impacts of these forcings on different soils (especially soil organic carbon content, SOC) changing geomorphological context is missing. This PhD project investigates the impacts of growing weather extremes and landscape fragmentation on hydro-geomorphic processes across a landscape continuum, from uplands to hills and coastal regions. By examining the spatial and temporal dynamics of these processes, the project aims to provide insights into the cascading effects on soil degradation (e.g., erosion, shallow landslides), runoff, and coastal seawater intrusion. The study area is a transect located in the Northeast of Italy, connecting mountain pastures, hilly agricultural terraces, and coastal agriculture.
The research will focus on three objectives: (1) Quantifying the influence of climate change across varying terrain. This involves analysing precipitation intensity and storm frequency to evaluate how these factors amplify hydro-geomorphic disturbances, such as landslides and soil erosion. (2) The second objective focuses on the role of land use in exacerbating or mitigating hydro-geomorphic instability. By assessing land cover transitions and their interactions with hydrological processes, the project will highlight critical thresholds beyond which ecosystems and landscapes become vulnerable. (3) The third objective explores the downstream impacts of upland hydro-geomorphic changes on coastal ecosystems. Specifically, it will examine how altered runoff patterns and river discharge dynamics shape the coastal environment, focusing on river deltas (in this project, Po River Delta) under the added stress of sea-level rise.
The project will employ an interdisciplinary methodology to achieve these objectives, integrating field surveys, remote sensing, hydrological modelling, and geospatial analysis. Field investigations will focus on monitoring SOC content (soil samples will be collected and SOC evaluated in a lab with the grant used for this PhD), erosion rates, and slope stability in specific hot spots along the transect. The previously conducted analysis will offer an unparalleled advantage in better guiding the field investigation and hot-spot identification while offering existing datasets (e.g., rainfall, temperature, soil). Remote sensing data (e.g., Sentinel-2) will be used to map land cover changes, CMIP6 will be considered for precipitation projections, while the hydro-geomorphological model will simulate the impacts of projected climate and land use on processes. Additionally, participatory approaches will involve local communities and stakeholders in understanding criticalities, land management practices and co-developing adaptive strategies. On this point, the PhD will benefit from the solid and articulated networking established between the supervisor of this PhD and stakeholders and policymakers in the northeast of Italy.
The outcomes of this research will provide critical insights into landscapes' vulnerability and resilience under changing climatic and land-use conditions. The findings will support the development of integrated management strategies to mitigate hydro-geomorphic risks, preserve ecosystem services, and enhance adaptive capacity. This includes promoting nature-based solutions such as micro-water storages in mountain grasslands and steep-slope agriculture, reforestation, riparian buffer zones, coastal wetland restoration, sustainable land-use planning, and climate adaptation policies.

  Imaging and Digital Twin for improving the quality and sustainability of medicinal plants in post-harvest (Lorenzo Guerrini, lorenzo.guerrini@unipd.it)

This PhD topic focuses on the optimization of the post-harvest process of medicinal plants, with particular attention to the phases of storage, drying, packaging and quality monitoring. The main objective is to develop some systems (or an integrated system) based on computer vision, other imaging techniques (e.g. thermography), 3D reconstructions and digital twins for process control, in order to improve the quality of the products (e.g. bioactive compound content) and sustainability (e.g. drying and logistics efficiency).
In addition to drying, particular attention will be paid to the optimization of logistics between harvesting and first processing, with the dual objective of improving the quality characteristics and reducing the risks and losses related to this phase. If possible, the quality of the packaged product will be monitored with the same techniques, ensuring compliance with the standards, packaging and during storage. The research will focus on some species of medicinal plants (to be defined), with a focus on those for herbal teas.
Sustainability will be assessed with consumption and life cycle analyses, to identify critical issues and quantify improvements related to optimization strategies.

  Modelling forest landscape dynamics under climate change and natural disturbances in the Eastern Italian Alps (Emanuele Lingua, emanuele.lingua@unipd.it)

Natural disturbances and climate change are currently affecting forest ecosystems, particularly in mountain landscapes. The understanding of forest development in future scenarios is therefore fundamental for implementing a sustainable land management devoted to increasing the resilience of forest stands. This project will focus on the study of forest dynamics through the application of a landscape-scale dynamic vegetation model (iLand) in two study regions in the Eastern Alps (South Tyrol, Veneto). The initial focus will be on data collection and model calibration using a wide range of data sources (e.g. forest inventory, remote sensing) followed by assessments of future forest dynamics considering potential impacts of climate change and natural disturbances. The project will subsequently focus on the evaluation of alternative silvicultural scenarios with the aim of increasing the resilience of Alpine forest ecosystems and their provision of ecosystem services and biodiversity. Part of the PhD will be integrated in the Interreg Italy-Switzerland project ‘MAP-Rezia’ (2025-2027) that aims to evaluate future scenarios of forest ecosystem development within the protected area of the Stelvio National Park in South Tyrol. The project will be developed in collaboration with the Institute for the Alpine Environment of Eurac Research.
The candidate should have a background in forest modelling and an attitude for teamwork. Part of the research will be conducted at the Eurac facilities in Bolzano under the supervision of Dr. Marco Mina.

  Multi-modal data fusion for accurate detection of forest parameters (Francesco Pirotti francesco.pirotti@unipd.it)

Multi-modal surveying refers to the integration of multiple data collected with different methods and technologies to acquire spatial and environmental information. Multi-modal data can enhance accuracy, coverage, and efficiency by leveraging different complementary sensors, platforms, and processing techniques. In this PhD project, the candidate will focus on the investigation of optimal methods for collecting, processing and fusing spatial data in forest environments. The investigation will include, but not be limited to, photogrammetry, laser scanning (mobile/static, aerial, drone, terrestrial), optical multi/hyperspectral and radar remote sensing. Forest environments pose unique challenges due to their complex geometric structures and accessibility conditions, notwithstanding heterogeneous structures, dynamic objects and occlusions. The aim is to prove that processing and fusing solutions - including AI methods - based on multi-modal data improve current state of the art mapping methods for the identification of tree species and distribution as well as determination of forest structures and ecological variables in time and space domains. The ideal candidate should have an attitude towards problem-solving using programming environments, a strong background on spatial data management and analysis as well as natural, environmental and/or forestry sciences.

  Application of biotechnologies to obtain products from yeast derivatives (Simone Vincenzi simone.vincenzi@unipd.it)

In oenology, yeast derivatives are used for different purposes (nutrition, clarification, stabilization). The aim of the thesis is to test yeast cultivation techniques, also taking into consideration non-Saccharomyces yeasts, with the aim of obtaining extracts with innovative characteristics to be tested in the oenological field. Part of the work  (yeast cultivation and extraction process) will be carried out in collaboration with the company, while part of the characterization of the extracts and the verification of their effectiveness on microvinification tests will be performed at the University Campus in Conegliano.

  Agriculture, forest and food economics and policy

1. Economics and policy for resilient agriculture and forest management.
   Agricultural and forest economics and policy need to be innovated, for more resilient societies in Europe and worldwide. Particular attention is given to the Common Agricultural Policy analysis and other sectoral policies, impact assessments on farms and forest managers' economics, organization and resilience, rural development, market functioning, organic farming, innovative forest management, agri-environmental measures adoption, and risk management strategies and tools. (Rossetto, Trestini, Pagliacci, Stefani, Cei, Giampietri, Pettenella, Masiero, Gatto, Pisani, Grilli, Secco).
   
   
2. The food and the agri-food world.
   Competitiveness and innovation of food products and agri-food chains are crucial to promote food products on global markets. Relevant topics of interest in this research field are: consumers' behaviour towards food quality attributes related to environmental sustainability and production methods (e.g. organic farming), new food products, nutrition and health-related issues, as well as alternative food networks and policy and labelling tools such as food claims, Geographical Indications, property rights protection. (Rossetto, Pomarici, Trestini, Pagliacci, Giampietri, Thiene, Franceschinis, Vecchiato, Tempesta, Stefani, Cei, Paganizza).
   
   
3. The wine market in Italy and worldwide: a sustainability perspective.
   Assessing market dynamics and the impact of sectoral policies on wine economics is crucial to support this relevant sector. International market analysis and the impact of national regulations, taxation, and trade agreement on wine market, as well as organizational factors affecting wine supply chain performance, including quality and quantity policy adopted by producers’ organizations, need to be understood. Factors related to the adoption of more sustainable (environmental and social) solutions and market opportunities for more sustainable grape and wine production need to be identified (Pomarici, Galletto, Rossetto, Trestini, Giampietri).
   
   
4. Advanced methods for land and real estate valuation.
   Innovative methods for the analysis of land and real estate values such as Standard Hedonic Pricing Models, Spatial Autoregressive Models, Quantile Regression, Machine Learning and Big Data analysis have to be developed, tested and applied to deepen the scientific knowledge on their implications and their interactions with environmental quality and environmental policies. (Tempesta, Thiene, Vecchiato, Franceschinis).
   
   
5. Valuing natural resources for more informed decision-making towards sustainability.
   Economic valuation of natural resources, non-market goods, and ecosystem services is functional to provide crucial information to support decisions of both public and private actors. Special attention is given to the demand of nature-based tourist-recreational and cultural ecosystem services, as well as forest-based regulating services considering environmental and social sustainability. (Tempesta, Thiene, Vecchiato, Franceschinis, Gatto, Pettenella, Secco, Grilli, Masiero, Pisani).
   
   
6. Innovations for a forest-based bioeconomy.
   Forests are expected to have a growing role in the bioeconomy at national and global levels. Relevant topics of research interest are related to analysing at the global and local scales the policy framework, market trends, social and environmental responsibility associated with the development of a forest-based bioeconomy, with a focus on innovative wood products (e.g., engineered wood products, man-made cellulose fibers, bioplastics etc.) as well as non-wood (i.e., wild) products and services. (Pettenella, Masiero, Gatto).
   
   
7. Transformative processes and Green Transition in Forests and the Environment.
   The current socio-economic and environmental crises call for an urgent reconceptualization of the relations between natural and institutional-social-human capitals, with special attention to forest resources. Research can contribute through multi-level policy evaluation and governance analysis in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, with a focus on policy instruments coordination, innovative entrepreneurial tools and activities, property rights and other legal- and institutional-related issues. (Gatto, Secco, Pisani, Pagliacci, Masiero, Paganizza).

  Forest ecology and forest management

1. Forest dynamics and natural disturbance ecology.
   Analysis of forest stands development, assessment and modelling of mortality processes, facilitation and competition mechanisms, and regeneration dynamics in a context of climate change. Old growth forest characterization and identification. Allometric approaches for assessing the degree of disturbance in different forests. Analyses and modelling of natural disturbances impacts in forest ecosystems and post-disturbance dynamics. Soil biodiversity and ecosystem services. (T. Anfodillo, M. Carrer, E. Lingua, G.Petit).
   
   
2. Forest management.
   In a context of global change, implementation of sustainable forest management strategies, adaptive management and  agro-forestry systems for biomass and quality timber production. Management of protected area, forest biodiversity conservation and management both inside and outside Natura 2000 ecological network. Implementing and monitoring silvicultural interventions for natural disturbance prevention and impact mitigation. (T. Anfodillo, E. Lingua, T. Sitzia).
   
   
3. Forest ecology and ecophysiology.
   Plants responses to abiotic and biotic stress analysed using physiological measurements (e.g., sapflow, leaf gas exchange, xylem vulnerability to air embolism), quantitative xylem and phloem anatomy (e.g., number and size of conducting elements, thickness of xylem cell walls), measurements of common morphological traits (e.g., stem diameter, tree height, crown size). Allometric approaches are used to define optimality principles shaping the hydraulic structure of trees (e.g., xylem/phloem widening in leaves, stems, roots) and the structure of forest ecosystem; dendroecological approaches are used to assess climate-growth relationships from time series of tree ring traits. (T. Anfodillo, M. Carrer, D.Castagneri, G.Petit).
   
   
4. Forest analysis.
   Forest structure analysis by LiDAR and optical data, Soil ecology and radiative balance, Analysis of forest parameters using remote sensing and geographic information systems. (F.Pirotti, E.Lingua, A. Zanella).
   
   
5. Geomatics for forest and the environment.
   Measuring via sensing (remote and close-range) of natural and man-made environments; 3D models for virtual/augmented reality of scenery, active (SAR/InSAR/PolSAR/LiDAR) and passive remote sensing for Earth Observation (EO), spatio-temporal analysis of big-data via High Performance Computing applied to sensed data. (F.Pirotti).
   
   
6. Urban forestry.
   Landscape-forest patterns and processes in urban and suburban areas. Urban forests biodiversity and recreational use. (P. Semenzato, T. Sitzia).
   
   
7. Forest landscape restoration.
   Monitoring and assessment of forest recovery and restoration by natural regeneration and afforestation activities. Implementation of restoration strategies using assisted regeneration and applied nucleation concepts. Restoration of forest cover in stands affected by high severity disturbances by using biological legacies. (T. Sitzia, E. Lingua).
   
   
8. Wood technologies.
   Wood characterization and synthesis of bio-based adhesives and preservatives for enhancing its properties by producing eco-friendly but also performing timber composites. Evaluation of the environmental impact of different materials and process through life-cycle assessment  (LCA) tools. (G.Tondi, T.Urso, M.Zanetti).
   
   
9. Forest planning and landscape ecology.
   The study of forest landscape patterns and its relationship with planning and management of land uses in the framework of landscape ecological methods and tools. (E. Lingua, P. Semenzato, T. Sitzia).
   
   
10. Biodiversity monitoring  and conservation in different ecosystems.
    Relationship between biodiversity and degree of disturbance in forest ecosystems; effects of direct and indirect human activities on biodiversity decline; management and conservation of blue infrastructures; loss and modification of wetlands and effects on biodiversity in mountain areas; implementation of practices for restoring wetlands and increasing biodiversity (Anfodillo T, Sitzia T, Campagnaro T)

  Water resources, land and soil conservation

1. Erosion, debris flows and sediment transport in mountain watersheds: from processes and landform analysis to risk management, accounting for climate change.
   Monitoring and modeling of landslides, debris flows and debris floods occurrence including the rainfalls and its statistical extremes. Analysis of the impact of these phenomena for the scenario corresponding to the climate change. Risk mitigation measures: from active (early warning system) to passive (open check dams and retention basins). (M.A.Lenzi, L. Picco, V.D’Agostino, C.Gregoretti, M. Borga, P.Tarolli, A.Guarnieri).
   
   
2. Fluvial morphology, riparian vegetation, streams dynamics and restoration.
   Analyses on the morphodynamics of riverine corridors from the mountain to the lowlands. Monitoring of the interactions between riparian vegetation, channel morphology, and fluxes (water, sediment, and wood). Defining mitigation strategies for reducing risks in correspondence of critical sections (ie, bridges and embanked reaches), or to improve the general condition of the overall state of the river system (i.e., restoration). (L.Picco, M.A.Lenzi, V.D’Agostino, C.Gregoretti).
   
   
3. Soil, Water and Society.
   Economic losses caused by hydrological extremes, such as floods and droughts, are exacerbating because of increased anthropogenic activities and global environmental changes. The topic aims to understand how individuals and communities interact with hydrological extremes to develop effective strategies for disaster risk reduction. (P.Tarolli, M.Borga, V.D’Agostino).
   
   
4. Forest hydrology and ecohydrology.
   Analysis of the hydrological response of mountain catchments at the seasonal and event timescale by considering variations due to climate change, monitoring and modeling of water fluxes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum by using environmental tracers (stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen, major ions), analysis of the hydrological connectivity of intermittent streams during dry and wet conditions. (G.Zuecco, M.Borga).
   
   
5. Cryospheric processes and water resources in a warming climate.
   Climatic sensitivity of mountain snow, glaciers and permafrost investigated by historical analyses and reconstructions, current response monitoring, and process understanding. Investigation and modelling of future cryosphere-related changes in water resources, slope instability and environmental conditions. (L. Carturan, M.Borga).
   
   
6. Assessment of drought impact in agriculture: monitoring and mitigation strategies (P. Tarolli, M. Borga, V.D’Agostino).
   The project aims to investigate drought with its possible direct and indirect impacts in agriculture. The research focus ranges from farm to continental scales. Different agricultural landscapes, from lowland areas to steep slopes, will be considered in the analysis. In addition, sustainable solutions for mitigation of impacts and definition of adaptation strategies will be explored, including Nature Based Solutions.

  Technologies and operations for Agriculture, Forestry, Food and Livestock Plants

1. Sustainable wood harvesting in mountain forests.
   Precision forestry and digital solutions for the implementation of more sustainable wood harvesting operations in mountain forests in the frame of the climate change impacts. Novel applications based on Machine learning and Artificial intelligence are the main stream characterizing the research approach. (Grigolato S., Cavalli R., Marchi L.).
   
   
2. Sustainable and digital approaches to agricultural technologies.
   Precision agriculture and digital solutions in agriculture, viticulture, water, and urban green management for enhancing sustainability in changing climate scenarios. Artificial intelligence and machine learning for advanced operations management and farm machinery. (Sartori L., Bortolini L., Marinello F., Sozzi M.).
   
   
3. Development of mechanical and digital technologies to enhance food quality.
   Novel application of mechanical devices, sensors, digital solutions, and data analysis to increase safety, security, and nutrient profile of foods. More sustainable food production processes through the application of technology. (Guerrini L.).
   
   
4. Innovative Systems/Technologies in Livestock and Bioenergy Production.
   Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), Digital and Automated Technologies for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Bioresource Management and Valorisation (Bioenergy and sustainable biorefinery approaches) from agricultural and livestock systems. Utilisation of Remote Sensing and Spatial Data in Livestock/Energy Bioresource Supply Chain Research. (Pezzuolo A.).

  Enology, food quality and nutrition

1. Novel foods, food processing and nutrition.
   Development of novel foods. Novel bioactive food ingredients.  Functional properties of food macromolecules; Innovative techniques for food production and preservation; Food physics and rheology. Sensory analysis. Food and nutrition: food digestibility, functional and fortified foods. (G. Pasini, A. Curioni, G. Lomolino, M.Marangon).
   
   
2. Comprehending and managing wine quality.
   Wine macromolecules and colloids. Wine stability. Sustainable wine production systems. Innovation in sparkling winemaking. Proteomics and metabolomics of grapes and wines. Enological potential of disease-resistant grape varieties. Wine sensory analysis. Novel processing aids and additives for winemaking. Data management. (A. Curioni, S. Vincenzi, G. Lomolino, M. Marangon, R. Flamini).
   
   
3. Circular economy for the food and wine sectors.
   Valorization of by-products from the agri-food sector: novel extraction methods, chemical and functional characterization of extracts and their use as a source of novel food ingredients. (A. Curioni, S. Vincenzi, G. Lomolino, M. Marangon, G. Pasini).

  Forest Pathology

1. Engineered mycelium-based composite materials for environmental sustainability.
   Mycelium-based materials have the potential to contribute to the circular bioeconomy by replacing petroleum-based products and converting lignocellulosic wastes into value-added products. (Montecchio L., Linaldeddu B.).
   
   
2. Patterns of invasive forest pathogens dispersal by insects.
   The spread of fungal pathogens relies on complex interactions between host, vector (passive or active) and pathogen. Invasive insect-vectored pathogens pose one of the greatest threats to forest ecosystems. (Montecchio L., Linaldeddu B.).
   
   
3. The impact of climate change on forest tree diseases.
   Environmental changes are occurring on a global scale, but their effects are most pronounced in climate change hotspots. In the Mediterranean area canker causing agents such as Botryosphaeriaceae seem to thrive under warmer and drier conditions. (Montecchio L., Linaldeddu B.).
   
   
4. Emerging Phytophthora-related diseases in the subalpine European vegetation.
   The recent discovery of new Phytophthora species and diseases in alpine and subalpine ecosystems in Europe is of great concern. More explorations in the canopies of shrub and trees are needed to elucidate the diversity, host associations and Phytophthora lifestyles in these as yet under-explored habitats. (Montecchio L., Linaldeddu B.).