Research focus:
My research focuses on interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of forest management and ecology, emphasizing a holistic approach to sustainable forestry. I work on the assessment of the impacts of timber harvesting on soil disturbances, particularly in broadleaf forests, and explore how forest management affects soil biodiversity, fine roots, and litter decomposition. I also use remote sensing, GIS and GNSS technologies to develop decision-support systems that help optimize forestry practices and minimize environmental disruptions.
My work has demonstrated the significant effects of both large-scale and small-scale harvesting systems on soil properties and biodiversity, particularly in Mediterranean beech forests. Additionally, I have developed tools for identifying the best timber extraction systems and have contributed to the digital transformation of forestry. My research is internationally recognized, with collaboration across various countries, and supports the move towards more sustainable and ecological forest management practices.
Keywords:
precision forestry, machinery-induced soil disturbance, GIS, skid trails, soil trafficability maps
Publications
- Bown H.E., Latterini F., Picchio R., Watt M.S. 2025. Spatially explicit tactical planning for redwood harvest optimization under continuous cover forestry in New Zealand's North Island. Forests 16(8): 1253. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081253
- Đuka A., Papa I., Proto A.R., Latterini F., Mederski P.S., Borz S.A., Iordache E., Sokolović D., Karišik A., Stojnić D., Danilović M., Picchio R. 2025. Forest accessibility and road network density: A global overview with a special focus on Europe. Current Forestry Reports 11: 26. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40725-025-00259-3
- Latterini F., Camarretta N., Janiszewska-Latterini D., Pasquini D., Moss J., Watt M.S. 2025. Soil trafficability maps: a geospatial tool for reducing soil damage and supporting sustainable forest management in New Zealand. Land Degradation and Development 36(16): 5602-5612. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70023
- Latterini F., Camarretta N., Watt M.S. 2025. Remote sensing for planning harvesting operations and monitoring their effects on the forest ecosystem: State of the art and future perspectives. Forest Ecology and Management 597: 123175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2025.123175
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Picchio R., Venanzi R., Spinelli R., Magagnotti N., Schweier J., Kushwaha S.K.P., Camarretta N., Watt M.S. 2025. Mapping skid trails and evaluating soil disturbance from UAV-based LiDAR surveys in Mediterranean forests. Land Degradation and Development 37(3): 1082-1092. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70162
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Venanzi R., Papa I., Duka A., Proto A.R., Tavankar F., Picchio R. 2025. Effects of ground-based forest operations on aboveground and belowground growth of seedlings: a meta-analysis. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering 46(2): 409-426. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2025.3720
- Latterini F., Horodecki P., Dyderski M.K., Kamczyc J., Witkowski R., Venanzi R., Jagodziński A.M. 2025. Insufficient logging intervals impede upper soil recovery in temperate beech forests: Insights from two case studies in Poland. Ecology and Evolution 15(10): e72302. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72302
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Schweier J. 2025. Soil recovery after forest operations in Fagus sylvatica L. stands: Is a 5-year interval long enough? Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences 130(12): e2025JG009078. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JG009078
- Samdaliri H., Jourgholami M., Salajegheh A., Sohrabi H., Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2025. Runoff and sediment response to different fire intensities in a Hyrcanian mixed broadleaved forest ecosystem. Land Degradation and Development 36(15): 5405-5418. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70014
- Tavankar F., Picchio R., Venanzi R., Latterini F., Nikooy M. 2025. Restoring soil features and biodiversity indicators in managed forests to the levels of protected forests: after one silvicultural rotation period. Forests 16(2): 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020274
- Venanzi R., Picchio R., Bonaudo A., Assettati L., Cozzolino L., Pauselli E., Cecchini M., Lo Monaco A., Latterini F. 2025. Evaluating the reliability of remote sensing techniques for detecting the strip road network in boom-corridor systems. Forests 16(12): 1768. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16121768
- Jourgholami M., Hosseiniala E.A., Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2024. The effects of soil compaction on the growth and architecture of the seedlings of species commonly used for afforestation in Iran. Forests 15(7): 1090. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071090
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Horodecki P., Rawlik M., Stefanoni W., Högbom L., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Jagodziński A.M. 2024. A Meta-analysis of the effects of ground-based extraction technologies on fine roots in forest soils. Land Degradation and Development 35(1): 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4902
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Horodecki P., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Jagodziński A.M. 2024. Evaluating small-scale harvesting disturbance to the forest soil in Mediterranean beech high forests. Land Degradation and Development 35(15): 4357-4710 https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.5228
- Latterini F., Horodecki P., Dyderski M.K., Scarfone A., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Proto A.R., Jagodziński A.M. 2024. Mediterranean beech forests: Thinning and ground-based skidding are found to alter microarthropod biodiversity with no effect on litter decomposition rate. Forest Ecology and Management 569: 122160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122160
- Latterini F., Pawlik Ł., Stefanoni W., Dyderski M.K. 2024. The effects of geomorphology, soil and climate on the trajectory of aboveground biomass accumulation of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) at the southern range margin. CATENA 237: 107787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107787
- Latterini F., Spinelli R., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2024. Acorn Review: Focus on ground-based extraction systems: Is skidding really more impactful than forwarding? Forest Ecology and Management 551: 121514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121514
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2024. Acorn review: To what extent can we consider animal logging as a low-impact harvesting system? Forest Ecology and Management 564: 122047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122047
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Papa I., Đuka A., Picchio R. 2024. A Meta-analysis to evaluate the reliability of depth-to-water maps in predicting areas particularly sensitive to machinery-induced soil disturbance. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering 45(2): 12. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2024.2559
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2024. Using pack animals instead of tractors in Central Italy's protected areas: No evidence of reduced soil disturbance. Forest Ecology and Management 572: 122312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122312
- Picchio R., Venanzi R., Bonaudo A., Travisani L., Civitarese V., Latterini F. 2024. Evaluating an innovative ICT system for monitoring small-scale forest operations: preliminary tests in mediterranean oak coppices. Sustainability 16(11): 4629. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114629
- Picchio R., Venanzi R., Civitarese V., Bonaudo A., Lo Monaco A., Latterini F. 2024. Energetic features of hardwood pellet evaluated by effect size summarisation. Forests 15(7): 1259. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071259
- Tavankar F., Kivi A.R., Naghdi R., Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2024. Growth and architectural response of beech seedlings to canopy removal and soil compaction from selective logging. Sustainability 16(14): 6162. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146162
- Civitarese V., Acampora A., Sperandio G., Bassotti B., Latterini F., Picchio R. 2023. A comparison of the qualitative characteristics of pellets made from different types of raw materials. Forests 14(10): 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14102025
- Karami S., Jourgholami M., Attarod P., Venanzi R., Latterini F., Stefanoni W., Picchio R. 2023. The medium-term effects of forest operations on a mixed broadleaf forest: Changes in soil properties and loss of nutrients. Land Degradation and Development 34(10): 2961-2974. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4660
- Kiadaliri M., Motlagh M.G., Sohrabi H., Latterini F., Lo Monaco A., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2023. The effects of forest accessibility on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwood: a comparison between recreational and natural forests. Sustainability 15(13): 10592. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310592
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Horodecki P., Picchio R., Venanzi R., Lapin K., Jagodziński A.M. 2023. The effects of forest operations and silvicultural treatments on litter decomposition rate: a meta-analysis. Current Forestry Reports 9(4): 276-290. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40725-023-00190-5
- Latterini F., Dyderski M.K., Horodecki P., Rawlik M., Stefanoni W., Högbom L., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Jagodziński A.M. 2023. A Meta-analysis of the effects of ground-based extraction technologies on fine roots in forest soils. Land Degradation and Development 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4902
- Latterini F., Jagodziński A.M., Horodecki P., Stefanoni W., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2023. The state of the art of forest operations in beech stands of Europe and Western Asia. Forests 14(2): 318. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020318
- Latterini F., Mederski P.S., Jaeger D., Venanzi R., Tavankar F., Picchio R. 2023. The influence of various silvicultural treatments and forest operations on tree species biodiversity. Current Forestry Reports 9(2): 59-71. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40725-023-00179-0
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R., Jagodziński A.M. 2023. Short-term physicochemical and biological impacts on soil after forest logging in Mediterranean broadleaf forests: 15 years of field studies summarized by a data synthesis under the meta-analytic framework. Forestry 96(4): 547-560. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpac060
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Stefanoni W., Picchio R. 2023. Disturbance caused by animal logging to soil physicochemical and biological features in oak coppices: a case-study in Central Italy. Forests 14(3): 655. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14030655
- Obi O.F., Lebel L., Latterini F. 2023. A review of applications of data envelopment analysis in forest engineering. Current Forestry Reports 9(3): 171-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-023-00183-4
- Picchio R., Di Marzio N., Cozzolino L., Venanzi R., Stefanoni W., Bianchini L., Pari L., Latterini F. 2023. Pellet production from pruning and alternative forest biomass: a review of the most recent research findings. Materials 16(13): 4689. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16134689
- Stefanoni W., Fanigliulo R., Pochi D., Fornaciari L., Grilli R., Benigni S., Latterini F., Sperandio G. 2023. Assessment of energy, dynamic and economic balance of chipping operation in poplar medium rotation coppice (MRC) plantations. Forests 14(7): 1358. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071358
- Stefanoni W., Latterini F., Pari L. 2023. Perennial grass species for bioenergy production: the state of the art in mechanical harvesting. Energies 16(5): 2303. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16052303
- Stefanoni W., Tocci D., Latterini F., Venanzi R., Gaglioppa P., Pari L., Picchio R. 2023. A preliminary validation and assessment of a GIS approach related to precision forest harvesting in Central Italy. Forests 14(1): 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010127
- Tibash A., Jourgholami M., Moghaddam Nia A., Latterini F., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2023. The effects of organic mulches on water erosion control for skid trails in the hyrcanian mixed forests. Forests 14(11): 2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14112198
- Tomczak K., Latterini F., Smarul N., Stanula Z., Jelonek T., Kuźmiński R., Łakomy P., Tomczak A. 2023. Moisture content of fresh scots pine wood in areas near damage caused by harvester head feed rollers. Forests 14(6): 1276. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14061276
- Venanzi R., Latterini F., Civitarese V., Picchio R. 2023. Recent applications of smart technologies for monitoring the sustainability of forest operations. Forests 14(7): 1503. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071503
- Bergonzoli S., Romano E., Beni C., Latterini F., Lo Scalzo R., Scarfone A. 2022. Nectar dynamics and pollinators preference in sunflower. Insects 13(8): 717. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080717
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Stefanoni W., Sperandio G., Suardi A., Civitarese V., Picchio R. 2022. Work productivity, costs and environmental impacts of two thinning methods in Italian beech high forests. Sustainability 14(18): 11414. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811414
- Tavankar F., Ezzati S., Latterini F., Lo Monaco A., Venanzi R., Picchio R. 2022. Assessment of wound recovery and radial growth 10 years after forest operations in hardwood stands. Forests 13(9): 1393. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13091393
Projects
- Specialist consultancy on the application of precision forest harvesting within the framework of silviculture, primarily in beech forests (Orginal title: Consulenza specialistica sul tema dell'applicazione della precision forest harvesting nel quadro della selvicoltura principalmente delle faggete). Project funded by Italian recovery fund financed by EU (PNRR). Project duration: 2024-2025. Principal Investigator: Latterini F.
- Specialist consultancy on spatial analysis for the identification of biodiversity islands in the framework of the project RERUM NATURA (Orginal title: Analisi spaziale per individuazione di isole di biodiversitá). Project funded by National Biodiversity Future Center, Italy. Project duration: 2024-2025. Principal Investigator: Latterini F.
- AIMSUSFOR (Extending assessment of the environmental impacts to the forest ecosystem due to forest management: a comprehensive approach to enhance sustainable forestry in the context of climate change). Project funded by Polish Academy of Sciences PAN.BFB.S.BDN.255.022.2022 (co-funded by Horizon 2020 and the Polish Ministry of Education and Science). Project duration: 2022-2024. Principal Investigator: Latterini F.
Popular Science Articles
[Article in Italian]
- Latterini F., Venanzi R., Alessandri G., Franchi P., Lo Monaco A., Picchio R. 2025. Il Rinascimento del Carbone Vegetale: la Carbonizzazione tra Tradizione, Innovazione e Futuro. Rivista di Agraria 436. Dostęp: 9.01.2026. https://www.rivistadiagraria.org/articoli/anno-2025/rinascimento-del-carbone-vegetale-la-carbonizzazione-tradizione-innovazione-futuro/#:~:text=Il%20Rinascimento%20del%20Carbone%20Vegetale:%20la%20Carbonizzazione,del%20sistema%20di%20produzione%20paleria%20di%20castagno
- Latterini F., Jagodziński A.M., Horodecki P., Venanzi R., Mattei P., Picchio R. 2024. Quale sistema di esbosco è più a basso impatto fra skidding e forwarding? Rivista di Agraria.org, 415.
- Latterini F., Jagodziński A.M., Horodecki P., Venanzi R., Tocci D., Picchio R. 2023. AIMSUSFOR, un progetto di ricerca europeo per operazioni forestali sostenibili nelle faggete europee. Rivista di Agraria 382.
Books and Book Chapters
[PhD]
Position: Assistant Professor
Building D, Room 112
Phone: +48 61 817 00 33 ext. 279
e-mail:
Represented disciplines:
Biological sciences
Forestry
Other profiles:
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7401-8754
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202055088
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Francesco-Latterini-2
Ludzie Nauki: https://ludzie.nauka.gov.pl/ln/profiles/francesco.latterini.8nsRs6IXdgY









