European forests could look very different in a warming world, with many tree species facing range shifts or even disappearing from lowland areas as they move uphill. Researchers from Ca Foscari University and the National Center for Biodiversity in Italy explored how climate change may reshape forest composition across Italy’s Apennine and Alpine regions. Their work synthesizes climate projections with species distribution models to map potential futures for forests in two scenarios that span the next few decades. The first scenario envisions greenhouse gas emissions declining over time, while the second keeps emissions stable, creating distinct pathways for forest change and management needs. The study builds land suitability maps to guide where forests might be planted or restored through 2050, helping policymakers and foresters anticipate shifts in habitats and plan accordingly.
