Monitoring forest dieback phenomenon in Italy: the key role of the SilvaCuore application

Over the last years several forest dieback and mortality phenomena were reported across the Italian Peninsula underline an enhanced forest vulnerability due to the occurrence of extreme climate events, such as heat waves and severe droughts. During summer 2024 acute and extensive impacts, with severe defoliation, dieback and mortality, on Mediterranean forests (Quercus ilex, Quercus suber, Phillyrea spp. and several other sclerophyllous shrubs) were detected in various regions of Italy predominantly in Apulia, Sardinia and Sicily. Currently, in Italy as well as in other Mediterranean countries is lacking a clear picture of this emerging phenomenon, of the forest species more sensitive and the quantification of the affected forest surfaces. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the monitoring network within the regional territories to assess environmental drivers and dynamics of impacts with a multidisciplinary approach that includes ecophysiological and phytopathological aspects. In this contest, the SilvaCuore application, the first App designed in Italy by the University of Basilicata and Effetreseizero S.r.l., as a part of a Citizen Science project, can play a key role to survey declining forest stands within the Italian territory. The support of an active users’ community can not only