Forests created or improved Po River Forests
Why did we support this forest?
The development of these young woodlands, which were planted from the late 1990s onwards, is now threatened by the introduction of non-native and invasive species, which compete with native plants. To help these woodlands reach their optimal state, the project aims to control invasive species, thereby promoting the growth of species typical of the local ecological and climatic conditions. Alongside this conservation work, new wooded areas are being created between Mantua and Cremona.
History of the forest
The River Po is the largest ecological corridor in the Po Valley. For this reason, the sound management of the forests and natural areas along its course is essential. These habitats can provide a valuable resting place, refuge and source of food for many animals, and they also serve as a vital green lung for the inhabitants of the surrounding areas.
The Consorzio Forestale Padano, acting on behalf of various public authorities, is tasked with restoring the riverine forests on state-owned land that once enriched these areas with the vibrant green of poplars and the grey of willows. In these areas, the UNESCO MAB ‘Po Grande’ Biosphere Reserve was established in 2019 to recognise the true value of the Great River, a cornerstone of the history, culture and civilisation that have flourished along its banks.
Between the provinces of Cremona and Mantua, the woods created through reforestation in the late 1990s are slowly maturing into a fully-fledged ecosystem, but they remain young woods that still require care to realise their full ecological potential. It is along this stretch of the river that our project is taking action, balancing the management of existing vegetation with the creation of new forests between Mantova and Cremona.
Where is the forest located?
How we improved the forest
As well as being a tremendous reservoir of biodiversity, the forests along the River Po are vital in combating the climate crisis. However, trees need care to thrive and remain healthy: this is why our work along the river combines responsible forest management with the creation of new woodlands.
In terms of management, we focus first and foremost on controlling invasive species, particularly Sicyos angulatus, a climbing vine that smothers vegetation and hinders the forest’s natural regeneration. At the same time, we reduce the presence of species such as amorpha and box elder, to make way for native plants and foster a richer, more stable ecosystem.
We also nurture the growth of younger woodlands through the selective thinning of excess, malformed or dying specimens, thereby helping the best trees to thrive. Finally, regular monitoring of forest health enables us to identify diseases and pests promptly, allowing us to intervene in good time to protect the woodland and the carbon it stores.
These management measures will be complemented by the creation of new wooded areas, where we will plant native trees and shrubs to create diverse forest ecosystems capable of supporting new biodiversity and progressively absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Along the River Po, we have already carried out projects in the past as part of the Lombardy Region’s ‘Biodiversity and Climate’ (BioClima) call for proposals, co-funded and supported by the Cariplo Foundation. BioClima is an initiative launched as part of the Lombardy Plan and the LIFE GESTIRE 2020 project, which aims to create public-private funding models to catalyse investment in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation projects in Lombardy’s forests and protected areas. This initiative has enabled us to consolidate our presence along this stretch of the river, and we continue to build on this foundation today.
News from the forest
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