A study on tree colonization of abandoned land in the Italian Alps: extent and some characteristics of new forest stands in Trentino

During the last century, the socio-economic conditions of European mountain areas have completely changed, particularly in locations far from industrial areas. As a consequence of the migration of workers towards densely inhabited valleys and close-to-mountains lowland areas offering better income opportunities, the population of many small mountain villages has been declining and ageing. The traditional agricultural practices have been progressively abandoned and forests have expanded on abandoned land.