This open access book deals with the methods and the results of the third Italian national
forest inventory (INFC2015). Arma dei Carabinieri is entrusted with the realisation of the
National Forest Inventory and with the decisions about the aims of the survey and data
treatment. National forest inventories produce statistically based information on forests over
country areas. Such information is used either at subnational or at supranational level in a
great number of spheres and processes included possibility to depict the status of the world
forests. Italy conducted its first forest inventory in 1985 and in 2001 a permanent national
forest inventory was launched to have periodically updated statistics. Due to the growing
concern about the environment and especially the climate change estimating forests carbon
pools was a stated main objective and it was accordingly named Italian National Inventory of
Forest and Forest Carbon Pools (INFC). The book begins with a description of the general
organisation the definitions the methods and the estimation procedures. It proceeds showing
the main estimates produced by INFC2015 in tables that are given in the book chapters. The
estimates are presented through texts that introduce the subject matter explain the way the
related variables were surveyed and comment on the main outcomes with the help of graphics. The
estimates presented include forest area management and production biodiversity and protection
forest health protective and socio-economics functions. Role of forest in the carbon balance
was analysed in a specific Chapter as this is important for its role in the climate change
mitigation. The book ends providing an understanding of the current dynamics of Italian forests
by comparing the estimates obtained from INFC2005 and INFC2015 the last two national surveys.
