The response of forests to global change: measurements and modelling simulations in a mountain forest of the Mediterranean Region.

Forest ecosystems cover about 30% of land surface and are responsible for one half of global land productivity. On the other hand, in the last 60-80 years, terrestrial ecosystem have been subjected to significant climate changes that, if the current trend will not be slowed down or reversed, will bring them to a different, warmer climate in a relatively short time frame. Hence, it is paramount importance the study of the response of forests to climate and global change. In this framework, the continuous long-term monitoring of forest responses to environmental conditions can provide useful information on their adaptation to the present climate and its interannual variability, as well as on thei functionality. Using simulation models, this information can be combined, in order to have a reasonable idea on how the forest will respond and adapt to those scenarios. Here we present the results gathered during the long-term monitoring of a mountain beech forest located at the boundary with the National Park of Abruzzo, investigated within the framework of national and european research projects. In the paper the behaviour of the forest to current climatic conditions and their pronounced interannual variability will be described, while the responses to global change will be presented on the basis of modelling results.