This year, the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2025 will be held from April 27 to May 2, 2025, both in-person in Vienna and online. Together with researchers from IIASA and CNR, ENEA researcher Melania Michetti from the CLIMAR Division will co-organize a significant session for the European forestry sector and forest modelling, titled: "Advances in Forest System Modelling: Enhancing Insights into Structural Dynamics, Soil Carbon Cycling, and Natural Disturbances for Informing Future Management Strategies."

Session ITs1.8/BGo.4 will explore the latest scientific research on the functioning and resilience of forest ecosystems, with a particular focus on advanced models to analyze forest structural dynamics, soil carbon cycling, and the impacts of natural disturbances. The aim is to understand how to guide future forest management in the context of climate change.

Amongst others, the session will cover the following topics:

• Advancements in Forest System Modelling: Presentations on new models or significant improvements in existing models, that help predict and analyse forest growth, structural dynamics, C sequestration in biomass and soils, and ecosystem resilience. This includes models that integrate hydrological, meteorological, and biological processes.

• Innovative Monitoring Techniques: Studies showcasing novel observational technologies or methodologies, including remote sensing, isotopic tracing, or ground-based monitoring systems that provide new insights into forest mortality, growth patterns, and C cycling.

• Impact of Natural Disturbances: Research on how wildfires, insect’s outbreaks, pathogens/disease, droughts, and severe wind events alter forest structure, soil C stocks, and overall ecosystem functions. Contributions may include forward-looking information, post-disturbance recovery processes, disturbance modelling, and strategies for disturbance mitigation and adaptation.

• Cross-Scale Integration: Contributions that demonstrate the integration of innovative integrations of data and models across different spatial and temporal scales to understand forest biomass and soil dynamics comprehensively.

• Implications for future Management Strategies: Insights into how advanced modelling and monitoring approaches can shape policy development, offer a range of adaptation strategies, and inform management practices to enhance forest resilience and C retention.

For more details and to submit an abstract, please visit the event website: EGU 2025. Submissions for posters and oral presentations are open until January 15, 2025 (1:00 p.m. CET).