The investment ranges from 14 thousand to 23 thousand euros per hectare considering design, planting and maintenance.
From the forests not only interventions to support the environment but also an economic resource. Whether we need to plant a new one or care for an existing one makes little difference. Behind it there is always commitment, patience but also a good deal of investment because trees and their surroundings need care and attention. To create a new forest in Italy with a defined standard design, considering design, planting and maintenance, the investment ranges between 14 thousand and 23 thousand
euro per hectare. The figure is likely to rise to as much as 38,000 euros when looking at a scientifically designed forest that meets the criteria of multifunctionality as well as the highest international quality standards with respect to the benefits returned to humans. This is the finding of the analysis conducted by the University of Padua, which specializes in environmental consulting.
The Pathway
The path is multifaceted and starts with planning and continues with land preparation followed by planting and maintenance and ends with management. It is necessary to identify, already at the planning stage, what functions a forest can provide and what, in particular, to enhance and encourage through appropriate field interventions. In fact, forests can be very generous, offering a plurality of benefits through their multifunctionality. As they grow, trees capture carbon dioxide and fix it as carbon in the wood of stems and branches, as well as in roots and soil. That same carbon remains locked, safe, in wood products used for durable uses, such as in construction.
Not only that: In addition to this, forests help regulate the water cycle by promoting infiltration and recharge of aquifers that provide water for drinking or irrigation. Still, they can provide protection against hydrogeological disruption phenomena: landslides, avalanches, rock falls, and floods. Without forgetting the aesthetic value since they contribute to aesthetically enrich and characterize our landscapes and provide recreational, leisure, educational and cultural opportunities.
