The Role of Trees Outside Forests in the Cultural Landscape of the Colline del Prosecco UNESCO Site

Trees Outside Forests (TOF) play a crucial yet often overlooked role in the cultural landscape of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene. A recent study revealed that despite covering only 1.95% of the site's area, TOF—specifically Small Woods and Linear Tree Formations (TOF NON A/U)—comprise 931 distinct patches, serving as vital ecological corridors and hydrological protectors, even on steep slopes exceeding 80% inclination. Spatial analysis confirmed their multifunctional significance, acting as intermediate features between larger forest patches while contributing to the landscape's cultural identity, a key criterion for UNESCO inscription in 2019. The research highlights the need to integrate TOF into local forest planning and national inventories, addressing historical underestimation in scientific and management contexts.

Santoro, A., Piras, F., Fiore, B., Frassinelli, N., Bazzurro, A., & Agnoletti, M. (2022). The Role of Trees Outside Forests in the Cultural Landscape of the Colline del Prosecco UNESCO Site. Forests, 13(4), 514. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13040514