Coarse Woody Debris carbon stock estimation at the seashore of San Rossore regional park, in Italy, Tuscany (PI), through geomatics tools

In the context of Climate Change, among the requirements for global emission reports, is demanded to estimate the quantity of carbon under the form of dead organic matter as a significant carbon reservoir in natural environments. The expression Large Woody Debris, LWD, or Coarse Woody Debris, CWD, refers to dead trees and the remains of branches laying on the ground, usually in forests or in river wetlands. Up to date, few studies have been focusing the coastal marine ecosystem and on wood accumulation at the seashore, as a result of storm surges and on their role in being a significant carbon stock and in influencing the carbon stock in soil, undergoing decomposition and humidification processes. The natural relevance of such wood deposits is also related to their contribution in characterizing the geo-eco-morphodynamics of the coastal natural environment. In fact, they act as modulator of sediment transport across the backshore and as control and base structure of the development and the maintenance of sand-dunes. This case study analyses the CWD carbon stock and the beach dynamics in two targeted areas along the backshore in San Rossore Regional Park, in Italy, Tuscany (PI).