MAP4FIRE

MAP4FIRE (Integrated multimodal approach for assessing tree delayed mortality to promote smart and sustainable management of forest post-fire sites) is an interdisciplinary research project aimed at developing innovative tools to assess the vitality of trees that survive forest fires and to predict their delayed mortality, one of the key factors influencing the success of forest restoration interventions in fire-affected areas. The project addresses the growing need to support the management of European forests in a context of climate change, which is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme events.

The proposed approach combines expertise in forest ecology, plant physiology, photonics, and artificial intelligence. In particular, MAP4FIRE employs innovative biosensors to measure glucose and ethanol concentrations in fire-damaged tree tissues and integrates these measurements with visual assessment protocols and advanced non-linear optical microscopy techniques. These methods are used to characterize the morphological, structural, and molecular changes occurring in wood, cambium, and phloem tissues following exposure to high temperatures.

Experimental activities are carried out at Italian pilot sites affected by forest fires or prescribed burns, where tree responses are monitored through high-resolution dendrometers, remote sensing techniques, biological sampling, and physiological analyses. The data collected are used to develop Machine Learning models and a cloud-based Decision Support System (DSS) capable of predicting the fate of fire-damaged trees and simulating different post-fire management scenarios.

By integrating physiological biomarkers, photonic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence, MAP4FIRE aims to provide operational tools for forest managers, public authorities, and land management stakeholders. The project will contribute to the development of more effective forest restoration strategies, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and support the achievement of European objectives related to biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable forest management.