Monitoring of natural regeneration of forest species in Vallombrosa forest stands damaged by wind storms

We studied the natural regeneration of forest species in the Vallombrosa Forest in areas damaged by the wind storm that hit the Tuscany Region in 2015. The study was carried out in four areas that previously housed silver fir and spruce stands. The field work was carried out within transects arranged on the edges and within areas damaged by the wind storm. Five years after the storm, we found natural regeneration of 11 different forest tree species. Silver fir was the most frequent species, associated with other conifers such as Douglas fir and Calabrian pine, and deciduous species such as beech, chestnut and Turkey oak. The density of the regeneration ranged between 0.68 and 1.13 plants/m2 , with an average value of 0.83 plants/m2 . For silver fir, the Magini regeneration index was higher on the edges. The results of this forest monitoring experience that can help increase our knowledge on the regeneration processes in forest areas disturbed by extreme events such as wind storms.