LIFE - FAGESOS (2022-2027)

Donor/Funding Programme LIFE: Project FAGESOS - Phytophthora-induced decline of fagaceae ecosystems in Southern Europe exacerbated by climate change: preserving ecosystem services through improved integrated pest management. 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2027

LIFE FAGESOS aims to address and remediate one of the most severe threats associated to global Climatic Changes: The outbreak of Alien Invasive Plant Pathogens, adversely impacting natural and semi-natural forest ecosystems. Phytophthora diseases are increasing their impact and distribution range in evergreen oak and chestnut ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin, boosted by temperature increase and higher frequency of extreme weather events such as flooding and drought. Scarce public awareness of the problem, severe human impact on forest areas and the new EU regulation on fertilizers, that limits the use of K-phosphonate, the most efficient and ecofriendly molecule to mitigate disease impact, further increase the risk of epidemic spread of these diseases. Challenged Forest Ecosystems need improved tools & strategies to enhance their adaptation to the outlined issue, finally ensuring their preservation as important natural carbon sinks. Indeed, FAGESOS will introduce tools to contrast diseases and enhance forests' resilience, by: i) The delivery of regional maps for risk- and impact assessment of Phytophthora diseases in the Mediterranean basin in diverse current and predicted climatic scenarios, as a tool for policy makers and forest managers ii) The development, validation, implementation and dissemination of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols, tailored to the specific target ecosystem, including a strictly scheduled use of new biomolecules and microorganisms with proven efficacy. Treatment protocols will be complemented by hygiene measures to prevent disease-spread iii) The delivery of fully accessible monitoring protocols, based on validated, innovative models & technologies iv) Intense communication, dissemination and capacity building activities, targeting different stakeholders to raise awareness and induce adaption of behaviour The project will be implemented in Italy, Spain and Portugal through a multi-actor approach.

Project Coordinator: Tiziana di Fazio (tiziana.difazio@comune.montesanbiagio.lt.it – +39 0771.56.89.228)

Scientific responsible at UNISS: Bruno Scanu (bscanu@uniss.it) – Department of Agricultural Sciences

Partner:

Italy

COMUNE DI MONTE SAN BIAGIO

ENTE PARCO NATURALE REGIONALE DEI MONTI AUSONI E LAGO DI FONDI

REGIONE LAZIO

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELLA TUSCIA

COMUNE DI CANEPINA – Lazio

COMUNE DI VALLERANO – Lazio

SOCIETA AGRICOLA MONTE ARCOSU

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI SASSARI

Portugal

UNIVERSIDADE DE TRAS-OS-MONTES E ALTO DOURO

Spain

LA ALMORAIMA SA SME

UNIVERSIDAD DE CORDOBA – Andalucia

CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES APLICADAS AL DESARROLLO AGROFORESTAL SL – Andalucia

AGROTECNOLOGIAS NATURALES SOCIEDAD LIMITADA – Cataluña

LIFE FAGESOS is co-funded by the LIFE Programme, the European Union's financial instrument for the environment and climate action. Grant agreement 101074466 — LIFE21-CCA-IT-LIFE FAGESOS. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.

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