Meteorological monitoring and climatological trends in Italian forest ecosystems

In the framework of long term ecological research on Italian forests, this paper describes meteorological monitoring in Italy, analysing meteorological trends in the CONECOFOR areas, paying particular attention to temperature, solar radiation, precipitation and windiness. The correlation between geomorphologic and climatic conditions is also examined and the areas characterised climatically through the Thornthwaite model. The analysis is based on measurements performed for the last five years at Open Field and In the Plot stations. This study may help to understand the effects of a microclimate, taking into account its possible impact on crown condition and forest growth.