Calabria signs agreement to map ancient forests for national network

The Regional Government of Calabria and four protected‑area authorities have signed a 12‑month collaboration agreement to identify and catalogue "boschi vetusti" – ancient, undisturbed forests – for inclusion in Italy's national network of ancient forests. The agreement, signed by Regional Director General Domenico Pallaria and park commissioners Renato Carullo (Aspromonte), Luigi Lirangi (Pollino), Ilario Treccosti (Sila) and Francesco Costantino (Serre), mandates technical‑scientific studies to locate forest areas that meet national criteria: presence of native species, no significant human disturbance for at least sixty years, and natural regeneration and senescence stages.

The study will provide a census of eligible sites, supporting biodiversity conservation, scientific research and landscape protection. As Commissioner Carullo noted, the signing "represents another step in the conservation strategy for natural areas of exceptional ecological and landscape value."