The international conference titled “Forests and Heritage: Synergies in Environmental Assessment and Cultural Resource Management” was held in Poznań, Poland, on June 24, 2025. The event gathered researchers, practitioners, and experts from various European institutions, combining perspectives from environmental science, archaeology, and advanced technologies.
The conference opened with a keynote lecture by Marcello Coradini, who presented a historical overview of the development and applications of autonomous rovers, emphasizing their relevance in both space exploration and environmental monitoring.
Throughout the day, four thematic sessions were held, focusing on the following areas:
Cultural Heritage in Forest Environments: Presentations addressed the challenges of protecting archaeological and historical sites located in forested areas, as well as methods for identifying and documenting hidden relics.
Forest Ecology and Environmental Factors: Discussions included the influence of site conditions on forest vegetation, the ecological risks posed by ticks, and the geographical variability of local climates.
Technological Innovations in Forestry: Speakers showcased the use of robotics, digital analytics, unmanned ground vehicles, and geophysical techniques (such as TDEM) in sustainable forest management and environmental assessment.
Earth Observation and Space Missions: The potential of satellite missions, particularly the ESA Biomass project, was explored alongside the use of UAVs and mobile robotics in environmental monitoring and heritage protection.
The conference concluded with a summary emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complex relationship between natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. The event highlighted the growing role of technology in supporting sustainable and informed decision-making in forest and heritage management.
Conference was financed by the E-FORESTER project, No. 101182985, implemented within the Horizon Europe programme, in the HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01 call.