Dissertation topics suggested by the teacher.
Effects of simulated N deposition on the nutritional state of a beech forest. Analysis of leaf nutritional state (both fresh and litterfall, for an estimate of reabsorption) in a beech forest experimentally exposed to different levels of long-term N fertilization
Effects of simulated N deposition on the net primary productivity of a beech forest. Analysis of forest aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in a beech forest experimentally exposed to different levels of long-term N fertilization.
Effects of age and global change on C sequestration and water-use efficiency in a Norway spruce forest (Trentino, Italy). Retrospective dendroecological and isotopic assessment of changes in radial growth and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) in a Picea abies chronosequence in Trentino (Italy): disentangling the effects of age and global change drivers (CO2, N deposition, climate change)
Application of the FVS model for the prediction of Douglas fir growth and response to thinnings in Northern Apennines. Application of the FVS model (USDA Forest Service) to the prediction of stand growth and response to variable thinning levels in Pseudotsuga menziesii forests between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Selection of management options for quality timber production from Castanea sativa forests. Measurement of past growth and response to thinnings in an experimental chestnut stand for the calibration and application of the FVS model (USDA Forest Service); prediction of response to different management schemes for the production of high-quality timber
Growth potential of Pseudotsuga menziesii stands in Emilia-Romagna. For a number of experimental stands established in Northern Apennines over the last century, field measurements of top height (and Site Index assessment), analysis of underlying sitecharacteristics
Application of GRASS GIS techniques for the assessment of land suitability for forest production on Northern Apennines (Bologna, Italy). Raster analisi of land suitability for wood production in Northern Apennines forests as a function of site factors (elevation, slope, distance from roads..) and syand characteristics (species, management type, developmental stage, LAI...)
Analysis of four Castanea sativa cultivars selected for quality wood production: assessment of tree quality and selection of plus trees. Analysis of four chestnut cultivars selected for lower susceptibility to ring shake (survival, growth, stem quality, WUE) and selection of plus trees for clonal propagation
Estimation of ecosystem services in Northern Apennines by the InVEST model. GIS application of the InVEST model (developed by Stanford University) for the assessment of a range of ecosystem services (C sequestration, recreation, water yield, scenic value, sediment retention, habitat quality…) of Northern Apennines forests
A novel experimental setup for the measurement of gross primary production and chlorophyll fluorescence of forest canopies. Combination of canopy fluorescence and reflectance measurements with a canopy-bag technique for the measurement of entire canopy GPP, test of remote sensing techniques for the assessment of GPP from space
