Abstract
The chestnut tree has characterised the social history of the Italian hills and mountains. However, in recent years, this resource has been abandoned because of the change in socio-economic needs. The aim of this study is twofold: (i) To give an overview of this resource, assessing the strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats of the chestnut tree through the use of the SWOT methodology; (ii) to provide action strategies for resource valorisation, in accordance with the SDGs set out in the UN 2030 Agenda, by using the TOWS methodology. Our results suggest four strategies, specifically; ‘resource-based’, ‘network-based’, ‘policy-based’ and ‘market-based’, capable of valorising the resource from environmental, economic and societal points of view. The active management of chestnut forests, together with the development of a value chain can guarantee sustainable production, technological and process innovation and could empower companies to face global markets in a more competitive way and lead to the creation of high value-added products, generating a strong economic and social engine for the revival of the sector. Moreover, the commitment of the private sector to the reorganisation of the supply chain must also be accompanied by coherent public policy action. This is essential for the adoption of plans and programmes consistent with sustainable development objectives, ensuring their prioritisation and implementation.
Highlights
The long-established and widespread problem of deforestation on a global scale eclipses the little-known negative impact of poor forest management, even in some of the world’s most developed temperate areas
The reasons are mainly linked to economic aspects, given that frequently the high costs of forest management, the lack of connections between inland and mountainous areas to economic centres, the post-recession collapse of the lumber market for the construction sector [2] and the lack of public funding do not guarantee satisfactory economic returns for businesses and forestry enterprises [3]
In some fragile areas, such as mountain areas, the lack of active forest management can undermine the stability of wooded slopes, causing problems of hydrogeological instability and threatening the liveability of populated areas [4]
Summary
The long-established and widespread problem of deforestation on a global scale eclipses the little-known negative impact of poor forest management, even in some of the world’s most developed temperate areas. In relation to their potential, 21% of the world’s forests are currently either not managed or are underexploited [1]. The reasons are mainly linked to economic aspects, given that frequently the high costs of forest management, the lack of connections between inland and mountainous areas to economic centres, the post-recession collapse of the lumber market for the construction sector [2] and the lack of public funding do not guarantee satisfactory economic returns for businesses and forestry enterprises [3]. In addition to economic reasons, it should be remembered that forest management is intrinsically linked to other key sustainability issues, such as social and environmental aspects. The management of forests in mountain areas has decreased in recent years, due to the difficult orographic conditions, the inadequate road networks, the high cost
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