Old-growth forests in the Pollino National Park (southern Italy): current status and future perspectives Old-growth forests have a primary environmental and ecological value, as they closely recall primeval forests and the natural forest landscape that was spread throughout Italy and Europe before man intervention heavily altered the functioning of most natural ecosystems. These ecosystems are more and more recognized as keystones of environmental policies (i.e., the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030) aimed to preserve biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. A recent report highlights that Europe's old-growth forests account for only 3 percent of the overall forest surface. The majority of italian old-growth forests are located along the Apennines, especially in the Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte National Parks, in remote montane areas characterized by irregular topographical conditions (i.e., high slopes and/or shallow soils) which hamper the access and exploitation of these less productive stands, thus allowing the survival of old-growth forests for many centuries. The ongoing climate change is a significant challenge to the conservation of old-growth forests, particularly in areas such as the Mediterranean basin, where an intensification of extreme climate events is expected. Heat waves can exacerbate drought's negative impacts on tree growth and survival, leading to reduced woody carbon stocks and biodiversity in old-growth forests. To date, there is poor understanding of such highly valuable and extremely fragile natural ecosystems in Italy. Insights are available based on data gathered as part of two research programs, funded by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Land and Sea Protection, with the purpose of creating a Network of Old Growth Forests in Italy's National Parks. In this study, we aimed to highlight the role and importance of old-growth forests, focusing on those located within the Pollino National Park. A comprehensive overview of the key strengths and weaknesses, that mark these peculiar forest ecosystems, was followed by a discussion of the future outlook, grounded on strategies that will ensure not only the protection and conservation of these ecosystems, but also their development and promotion.

The Regional Oriented Reserve "Bosco Pantano" near Policoro (province of Matera, Southern Italy) has been established to preserve one of the most interesting lowland forests in Southern Italy which survived to the uncontrolled land drainage and intensive agriculture occurred in the last century. Floodplain forests were indiscriminately exploited for millenia according to economic demands, that led to a loss of habitats and their biodiversity. In this context, a survey was carried out through a questionnaire administered to local stakeholders with the aim of investigating the most relevant factors that might impact on the ecosystem vulnerability of the natural reserve, either now or in the future, thus undermining its survival. The application of the hybrid method SWOT-AHP (A'WOT) allowed to categorize the different SWOT factors. The survey revealed the strong and shared willingness of stakeholders to valorize the peculiar characteristics of the reserve in order to promote its protection and preserve its biodiversity. Nonetheless, several critical points were found like the poor attention to the weaknesses factors, that might compromise the survival of the protected forest. In general, a limited interest in the research and monitoring activities, as well as their possible benefits on the whole area, has been recorded. Yet, multiple actions are recommended for the preservation and valorization of the peculiarity of this biotype, for example by promoting the development of sustainable forms of tourism, implementing long-term research and monitoring projects, establishing control bodies, and improving the environmental awarness of local inhabitants through specific dissemination.