The San Vito cork oak forest

The San Vito cork oak forest covers an area of 110.9 hectares in the municipality of Monte San Biagio and characterizes the lower elevation of the northern slope of Monte Calvo. In recent years, the forest has undergone considerable decay, caused by an oomycete called Phytophthora cinnamomi, which heavily affects this area in three large outbreaks covering a total area of 50.7 hectares (45.7 percent of the total area).

Phytophthora cinnamomi heavily affects an area of 50.7 hectares (45.7 percent of the total area).

the Valle Marina cork oak forest,

In the Valle Marina cork oak forest, which covers the opposite side of Monte Calvo, no symptoms of diseases related to Phytophthora cinnamomi have yet been recorded, but more importantly, under the influence of climate change, there is a risk of expansion.

Phytophthora cinnamomi related diseases risk spreading to neighbouring forests

Joining forces to find remedies

July 2020

The Park

The Regional Nature Park Monti Ausoni e Lago di Fondi has been addressing the issue since July 2020 in collaboration with the University of Tuscia, but it was felt that a broader approach was needed to develop and test new technologies and practices that could counter the decline and safeguard the health of these cork oak forests.

As the issue is identified in various Fagaceae ecosystems in the Mediterranean, especially in oak, cork, and chestnut forests, convening a diverse group of stakeholders along with scientific and technical experts appeared to be the optimal solution for identifying enduring and effective remedies applicable across different ecosystems.

1 September 2022

The Municipality of Monte San Biagio and the European Commission

The Municipality of Monte San Biagio therefore took the initiative to apply for funding from the European Commission under the LIFE Program for the Environment and Climate Action, in collaboration with a European partnership. The application was favourably evaluated, and as of September 1, 2022, the LIFE FAGESOS project could start its activities