London – Professor Vito Armando Laudicina, Full Professor of Agricultural Chemistry and coordinator of the Forestry and Environmental Sciences and Agroengineering degree programs at the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences at the University of Palermo, is part of the research team that has discovered how, in real conditions, “conservative” tree species—those more efficient in preserving their resources, including nutrients, water, and energy—tend to grow faster in boreal and temperate forests than “acquisitive” species. The results of the study, published in Nature, highlight how local conditions influence tree growth, providing a useful tool for forest managers in the fight against climate change.

The research team, coordinated by INRAE and Bordeaux Sciences Agro, studied 223 tree species across 160 experimental forests worldwide. “Forests provide numerous ecosystem services, including microclimate regulation and biodiversity conservation. Fast-growing species could help mitigate climate change,” explains Laudicina. The study also included the Complesso Boscato di Mustigarufi in Sicily.

Acquisitive species thrive in controlled environments thanks to traits such as high photosynthetic capacity and greater efficiency in resource use. In contrast, conservative species, such as fir and downy oak, are more resistant to stress and more efficient in conserving internal resources. The researchers found that in boreal and temperate forests, conservative species grow faster than acquisitive ones because they are better adapted to poor soils and harsh climates. In more favorable climates, however, acquisitive species can grow more quickly, capturing more carbon. The key is to select species best suited to local conditions. (9colonne)