Biology and Life Sciences

Abstract: Toxicodendron vernicifluum is an economically unique lacquer-producing tree en-demic to East Asia; propagation bottlenecks severely restrict elite clone industrializa-tion. This review systematically synthesizes 20 years of domestic and international lit-erature on seed propagation, root cutting, stem cutting, grafting, and tissue culture of lacquer tree, compares technical performance among China, Japan, Vietnam, and Med-iterranean Rhus species, and quantitatively summarizes germination/rooting rates across protocols. Sexual propagation suffers from seed deep dormancy and progeny segregation; conventional asexual propagation has low rooting efficiency; tissue culture faces high cost and browning obstacles; molecular regulatory mechanisms remain poorly characterized. We propose an integrated breeding framework combining mo-lecular mechanism dissection, low-cost vegetative propagation optimization, and standardized seedling production. Future directions including multi-omics analysis, gene-edited easy-rooting germplasm, and bioreactor micropropagation are highlighted to support large-scale elite seedling cultivation in Qinba Mountain regions.

Abstract: Bursaphelenchus xylophilus combines strong locomotory capacity with high stress tolerance, and the coordinated action of these two traits underpins its global invasion and dispersal. Yet the molecular mechanisms coupling locomotion to stress tolerance remain poorly understood. Here, we focused on the JIII dispersal-stage juveniles, a life-history stage that simultaneously demands high locomotory output and robust stress resistance. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and random forest machine learning, we systematically screened for hub genes that may jointly regulate locomotion and stress tolerance, and then functionally validated the candidate target by RNA interference (RNAi). The gene encoding the β subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHB) was identified as the core candidate target, positioned at the metabolic hub linking glycolysis to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Silencing of BxPDHB significantly increased pyruvate content (~4.61-fold), markedly reduced ATP levels (~16.91% decrease), drastically decreased head-swing frequency (~50.00% reduction), significantly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (~4.26-fold), and decreased survival rate (~26.02% reduction), producing a cascade of substrate accumulation, energy deficiency, impaired locomotion, and exacerbated oxidative stress. These results indicate that PDHB, by regulating the energy output of aerobic respiration, simultaneously affects locomotory behavior and antioxidant defense, functioning as a key node linking energy metabolism, locomotion, and oxidative stress. This study reveals the hub role of a core energy-metabolism enzyme in the coordinated regulation of locomotion and stress tolerance in B. xylophilus, providing new molecular evidence for understanding its dispersal adaptability. Moreover, as a node that maintains basal energy metabolism across multiple active life stages, PDHB represents a promising candidate molecular target for the development of RNA-based biopesticides delivered via trunk injection or nanocarrier-mediated approaches, with potential application value for the green control of pine wilt disease.

Abstract: Drought events are expected to induce both immediate and delayed effects on tree functioning, yet the persistence and dynamics of these legacy effects remain poorly understood. In an experimental set-up, European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings have been subjected to two consecutive water-withholding treatments during the 2022 growing season, in a factorial design, resulting in five drought severity categories. We monitored these categories over the following three years to assess drought legacy effects on phenology and growth. In the first post-drought year, bud burst proceeded more slowly in all drought categories, with the plants exposed to severe summer drought displaying the longest duration. No to minor differences between drought categories and control plants were observed in timing of autumn leaf senescence in the first post-drought year and in the following bud burst, suggesting recovery in these phenological responses. Unexpectedly, differences re-emerged in autumn leaf senescence in the second post-drought year, when all drought categories displayed delayed senescence. This differentiation persisted into the following spring, with delayed bud burst in four drought categories, and two severe spring-drought categories maintaining delayed senescence in the third post-drought year. Diameter and height growth were strongly reduced in the first year following drought. Although growth differences largely disappeared in the second post-drought year, two severe summer-drought categories exhibited enhanced diameter growth in the third year, indicating compensatory growth. Together, these results demonstrate that drought legacy effects in F. sylvatica are dynamically expressed over multiple years, and that such temporal variability complicates predictions of long-term forest responses to increasingly frequent episodic drought events under climate change.

Abstract: Forests are major terrestrial carbon sinks, but the relative effects of ecological zones, tree species, stand structure, and site quality on carbon sequestration capacity (CSC) and net ecosystem production (NEP) remain insufficiently quantified at national scales. We integrated MODIS MOD17A3HGF net primary production data for 2000–2023 with ecozone-specific heterotrophic respiration coefficients and Türkiye’s national forest inventory comprising 2,446,889 stand polygons. Welch’s ANOVA, Games–Howell tests, Hedges’ g, Spearman correlations, and path analysis were used to quantify the effects of ecological zone, tree species, canopy closure, site index, and stand development class. Ecological zone was the strongest driver of CSC (η²ₚ = 0.3154) and NEP (η²ₚ = 0.2724), followed by tree species, canopy closure, site index, and stand development class. Euxine–Colchic broadleaf forests had the highest mean CSC (9.001 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and NEP (4.801 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), whereas East Anatolian broadleaf forests showed negative mean NEP. Relative humidity was the strongest continuous correlate of CSC (ρ = 0.732) and NEP (ρ = 0.695). Path analysis indicated that temperature influenced forest carbon functioning mainly through moisture-mediated indirect effects. These findings support ecozone- and structure-sensitive national carbon accounting, monitoring, management, and MRV frameworks for Türkiye’s heterogeneous forests.

Abstract: Rattans are important non-timber forest products that contribute significantly to the livelihoods of many rural communities across tropical Asia and Africa. However, increasing pressures from overexploitation and deforestation threaten the sustainability of these resources. Conventional field inventories are often labour-intensive and limited in spatial coverage, creating the need for more efficient monitoring approaches. This study evaluated the potential of drone imagery for detecting and inventorying rattan populations in the Hein agroforest located in the South-East Côte d’Ivoire, in tropical West Africa. Four plots containing native rattans were surveyed using both conventional ground inventories and drone-based image analysis. UAV images were processed into orthomosaics using Agisoft Metashape Pro and visually interpreted in QGIS through a grid-based approach. Density estimates obtained from both methods were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while their relationship and agreement were assessed using Spearman correlation and Bland–Altman analysis, respectively. Five rattan species were identified at the species level within the study area. Results showed a significant difference between ground and drone-derived density estimates (V = 153, p < 0.001), with the drone method generally underestimating densities (mean bias = −25.22 ramets/ha). Nevertheless, a strong positive correlation was observed between methods (ρ = 0.762, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the potential of UAV imagery as a complementary tool for sustainable rattan monitoring and management.

Abstract: Residual tree damage is an unavoidable consequence of thinning operations and may affect future stand quality, tree health, and timber value. Despite the increasing use of mechanized harvesting systems in broadleaved forests, limited information is available on the factors controlling damage occurrence under different stand conditions. This study aimed to quantify residual tree damage following mechanized thinning, identify the main determinants of damage occurrence, and develop a model describing damage probability in broadleaved stands. The study was carried out at six locations in five European countries representing four broadleaved tree species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), oak (Quercus L.), birch (Betula L.), and European aspen (Populus tremula L.). A total of 288 sample plots were established, and 4,576 trees were inventoried. Thinning operations were performed using two harvesters: HSM 405H and UTC 150 - 6LS, both equipped with a CTL 40 HW harvesting head, designed for broadleaved tree species. Residual tree damage was assessed immediately after harvesting and analysed using logistic regression models. Overall, 271 out of 3,230 residual trees were with damage, corresponding to a damage rate of 8.4%. No significant differences in damage occurrence were found between the two experienced harvester operators. In contrast, bark thickness and distance from the strip road were identified as the only significant predictors of residual tree damage probability. Thin-barked stands (beech) exhibited significantly higher damage rates (11.8%) than thick-barked stands (oak, birch, and aspen; 5.7%). The developed logistic model provides a practical tool for estimating residual tree damage probability and may support harvesting planning and stand protection.

Abstract: Wildfire is a dominant disturbance in Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber) ecosystems, yet its medium-term consequences for insect assemblages remain poorly documented in North Africa. We compared burnt and unburnt stands in four suberaies of north-eastern Algeria (Djebel El Goufi/Lemdjalba, El Maktoua, Oued Agouf and Ain Fegoune) during two consecutive post-fire years (2015 and 2016). Across 16 station-year units, 402 insect species were recorded. Unburnt stands harboured 364 species against 111 in burnt stands, and 291 species were exclusive to unburnt stands. Sorensen similarity between burnt and unburnt stands was consistently low (mean 18.4% in 2015 and 10.8% in 2016), whereas unburnt stands remained comparatively stable between years (mean 61.9%) and burnt stands did not (22.5%). Principal component analysis of Hellinger-transformed abundances separated burnt from unburnt units along PC1, and PERMANOVA confirmed a significant effect of fire history (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.0001; ANOSIM R = 0.72, p < 0.001) with no significant year or interaction effect. UpSet and chord diagrams showed that species overlap was concentrated within, rather than between, fire-history classes, with only one to two species shared by all eight stations. Two years after fire, assemblages had not begun to converge towards the unburnt reference, indicating slow entomofaunal resilience and supporting the retention of unburnt refuges in post-fire management.

Abstract: Romania's forest sector has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades, with certification emerging as a key instrument for improving transparency, ecological safeguards and market access. This study examines the current state of forest certification in Romania within broader European trends toward sustainable forest management. Using national statistics, policy documents and comparative European data, the analysis evaluates the ecological, economic and social benefits of certification and the structural barriers limiting its adoption, especially among private and communal owners. Results show that certification has improved biodiversity protection, monitoring and institutional accountability, while facilitating access to international markets. A comparative analysis of 18 European countries, controlling for national income and EU accession timing, shows that Romania's certification coverage lags roughly 16 percentage points behind the level predicted by its income and accession cohort, comparable to gaps in wealthier Western European economies, indicating structural rather than economic barriers. Persistent challenges, including fragmented ownership, uneven administrative capacity and infrastructure gaps, continue to restrict implementation. The study concludes that Romania is progressing toward European models of sustainable forest management, but further convergence requires coherent policies, stronger institutional capacity and targeted support for small forest owners, in line with the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

Abstract: The expansion of sustainable timber harvesting on peatland forests is important for forest owners, contractors, and the forest industry. This study investigated the effects of site-specific conditions on summer-time harvesting operations and modeled the influence of a light nine-ton forwarder on rut formation. Three logistic mixed-effects models predicted peat surface disturbance (ROC = 0.60, 0.63, and 0.67), while a linear mixed model predicted rut depth when rutting occurred (R² = 0.35). Rut formation was associated with the number of machine passes, cumulative load, groundwater table depth, peat layer thickness, and interactions between stand and harvesting variables. The results indicate that timber can be successfully forwarded from peatlands with limited bearing capacity when operations are adapted to local site conditions. The findings highlight the importance of road-network planning, load management, and operator decision-making in reducing rut formation. This modeling approach also supports operator training, thereby contributing to more sustainable timber harvesting on low-bearing-capacity sites.

Abstract: (1) Background: As a critical landscape node in urban roads, the pedestrian refuge island is a key challenge for plant configuration; (2) Methods: This study investigated plant applications on pedestrian refuge islands in spring and winter, using the NCS color system and diversity indices to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of their plant communities; (3) Results: A survey of 17 traffic islands identified 53 plant species, comprising 27 in the herb layer, 15 shrubs, 8 trees, and 3 vines. For color diversity, the respective layers had 41, 29, 14, and 6 standard colors. Leaf color values showed seasonal variation: warm-toned in spring and cool-toned in winter. Quantitative characteristics and α-diversity indices of the plant community decreased progressively from the herb layer through the shrub layer to the arbor layer. The community’s Whittaker index (6.527) was lower than the mean species richness (7.71), while the Jaccard similarity coefficient decreased as the distance between quadrats increased; (4) Conclusions: Urban pedestrian refuge islands formed a vegetation landscape characterized by vibrant coloration and distinct seasonal dynamics by enhancing horticultural plant diversity. These patterns of diversity were significantly shaped by human disturbance and urbanization.

Abstract: Severe windthrow events can create highly favorable conditions for bark beetle outbreaks by generating large quantities of weakened breeding material. This study investigated the population response of the Mediterranean pine engraver, Orthotomicus erosus Wollaston, following a microburst windstorm that struck Marjan Forest Park, an urban Mediterranean Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) forest in Split, Croatia, in July 2025. Approximately 2,000 m3 of damaged timber remained in the forest until February 2026, enabling assessment of colonization dynamics and outbreak development. Field inspections, laboratory analyses, and pheromone trap monitoring were conducted between July 2025 and April 2026. Colonization of windthrown material began within two weeks after the disturbance, and infestation rates reached 94% of examined logs by December 2025. Most infested logs (86%) already contained emergence holes, indicating successful completion of beetle development. Pheromone traps captured a total of 131,588 individuals, with more than 88% recorded during spring 2026 and a pronounced peak occurring on 8 April 2026. The appearance of newly attacked standing trees in spring 2026 confirmed rapid population expansion from fallen material to living hosts. Results demonstrate the exceptional outbreak potential of O. erosus following extreme climatic disturbances and emphasize the importance of rapid sanitation measures and continuous monitoring in Mediterranean pine forests under climate change conditions. Delayed salvage logging after severe windthrow can rapidly trigger outbreak development of O. erosus.

Abstract:

Abies koreana Wilson (Korean fir) and Abies nephrolepis (Trautv. Ex Maxim.) Maxim. (Khingan fir) are ecologically and economically significant coniferous species in East Asia. However, morphological similarities and hybridization complicate species identification, affecting conservation, forestry management, and commercial activities. Here, we developed a species-specific DNA marker using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the mitochondrial nad5 intron 1 region to discriminate between A. koreana and A. nephrolepis. In particular, PCR amplification and sequencing analyses of candidate drought and heat stress-responsive genes as well as mitochondrial nad5 intron 1 and nad5 intron 4 revealed a species-specific T-to-G substitution in nad5 intron 1. Allele-specific primers were designed, and competitive allele-specific labeled light emission technology was employed for SNP detection. The primers were validated using real-time PCR, achieving high specificity and reliability. Overall, the molecular diagnostic tool offers a practical solution for accurate species identification, aiding conservation efforts and sustainable resource management.

Abstract: Accurately quantifying aboveground biomass (AGB) in tropical forest enrichment plantations remains challenging, particularly in managed regenerating stands where tree crown architecture, size structure, and species composition differ from the datasets used to calibrate classical allometric equations. Here, we assess whether AGB in tropical forest enrichment plantations can be estimated more accurately by combining tree-specific woody volume reconstructed from mobile laser scanning (MLS) with an explicit foliar-biomass component. We combined destructive measurements from 83 trees with high-resolution MLS point clouds to quantify biomass components, calibrate leaf-mass models, and assess the contribution of foliage to total AGB. Stems accounted for most of the biomass (65%), whereas leaves contributed only 3% on average. Among the models tested, Model 3, which included DBH, projected crown area, and wood density, showed the best performance (R² = 54.4%; RMSE = 2.43 kg). The main gain relative to regional (-20.4%) and pantropical (-25.6%) allometric equations came from the use of MLS-derived woody volume combined with species wood density, whereas the inclusion of predicted leaf biomass provided a moderate additional correction to the remaining bias. These results highlight the importance of canopy structure for biomass estimation in enrichment plantations and managed regenerating stands and support the use of LiDAR data as a robust alternative for AGB assessment in this context.

Abstract: Because wood anatomical traits and tree-ring features vary with species and climatic regime, cellular-scale measurements complement ring-width chronologies and help with understanding how forests may respond to future environmental change. We developed anatomical chronologies spanning the 1900-2019 period from multi-century old yellow pines (Pinus jeffreyi Balf. and P. ponderosa P & C Laws.) at four sites surrounding the Tahoe Basin of the Sierra Nevada, at the border between Nevada and California, USA. Measurements of earlywood and latewood traits included lumen area, lumen length, lumen width, wall length, wall-to-lumen length ratio, and conductive area. Climate sensitivity was estimated by bootstrapped response functions with precipitation and temperature (monthly and seasonal) from the Global Historical Climate Network interpolated to the site locations. Moisture emerged as the primary control on anatomical trait expression, as significant coefficients involved precipitation rather than temperature. Earlywood lumen size and conductive capacity were associated with late-winter through spring moisture, while cellular wall characteristics were connected with conditions during the growing season. Overall, our study provided new insights into the potential impacts of climatic changes on woody species of remarkable size and longevity in an area that is prized for its natural beauty and scenic mountain landscapes.

Abstract: Sub-Andean forests of the Colombian Central Cordillera are among the most biodiverse and threatened Neotropical ecosystems, yet their floristic, structural, and carbon dynamics remain poorly documented. We characterized the floristic diversity, vegetation structure, and aboveground carbon storage of the El Mangón sub-Andean forest remnant (24 ha; 1,600–1,700 m a.s.l., Cauca, Colombia) using free collections across the total area and a structural inventory in five 50 × 4 m transects (498 individuals, 35 species). A total of 281 species, 209 genera, and 100 families were recorded; epiphytes represented 44.13% of species, exceeding typical values (25–35%) for this forest type. Diversity indices were intermediate (H′ = 2.55; DMg = 5.47; 1−D = 0.89). Palicourea crocea dominated structurally (IVI = 45.12) and concentrated 31.2% of total carbon storage (894.41 kg·ha⁻¹; total = 2,866.23 kg·ha⁻¹). Three novel carbon indices (CVI, CCEI, CSI) integrate storage magnitude with ecological efficiency and spatial stability. The CSI was highest in low-aggregation species (1,618.23), with no significant differences among spatial groups (Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.088). El Mangón ranks among the most diverse sub-Andean remnants of southwestern Colombia, underscoring its conservation priority in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

Abstract: Forest structural diversity is a critical determinant of ecosystem function, yet the long-term influence of disturbance history on stand architecture remains complex. Here, we evaluate how historical disturbances shape structural and compositional diversity across 59 fully mapped plots in temperate mountain forests. Using field-based measurements, we quantified a suite of spatial, size-based, and compositional metrics, including Shannon entropy, diameter/height differentiation, species intermingling, and composite indices (SDI, Arten–Profill). Plots were categorized by time since disturbance (Recent, Intermediate, and Historical). Our results reveal a decoupling of structural recovery trajectories: biomass and tree size metrics (QMD, height, volume) follow a predictable, linear path of accumulation with disturbance age. In contrast, complex spatial indicators—such as SDI, species intermingling, and Clark–Evans aggregation—exhibit a threshold-based recovery pattern, increasing rapidly during early succession before plateauing as stands mature. Multivariate analyses (PCA and hierarchical clustering) indicate that forest maturity is not a monolithic structural endpoint; rather, late-successional stands diverge into multiple successional trajectories, each defined by unique spatial and size configurations. Compositional metrics showed lower sensitivity to disturbance history than structural indices, suggesting that structural heterogeneity is a more persistent "memory" of stand development than species composition alone. These findings suggest that structural complexity is a "built-in" feature of early stand development. Consequently, management strategies should shift from volume-centric goals toward trajectory-based approaches, employing early-successional interventions (e.g., variable-density thinning) to steer uniform stands toward complex, resilient structural configurations before developmental thresholds stabilize.

Abstract: Seed enhancement technologies play a crucial role in improving germination performance and early seedling establishment of forest tree species. This study evaluated the effects of seed priming, microbial inoculation, and polymer coating on the germination behavior and seedling quality of Falcataria falcata. Fifteen treatments, including hydropriming (HP), plant growth regulators (GA₃), beneficial microorganisms, and polymer-based coatings, were assessed under controlled conditions. Results revealed that all seed enhancement treatments significantly improved germination and seedling growth parameters compared to the untreated control (p < 0.01). Hydropriming alone increased germination from 49.5% to over 93%, while combined treatments (HP + microbial inoculants + GA₃ + coating) achieved up to 97.5% germination and significantly enhanced germination index, vigor indices, root development, and nodulation. The highest seedling vigor (Vigor Index I = 2055.57) and root–shoot ratio (0.60) were observed in integrated treatments, indicating improved biomass allocation and stress adaptation potential. Principal Component Analysis explained over 90% of the variability in germination traits and 75% in seedling growth, clearly distinguishing superior treatments. The findings demonstrate that integrated seed enhancement strategies synergistically improve physiological performance, nutrient acquisition, and early growth dynamics. These results highlight the potential of combining priming, bioinoculants, and coating technologies to optimize seedling production and establishment of tree plantations and agroforestry ecosystems.

Abstract: The risk of wildfires is increasing due to high temperatures and dry weather conditions caused by climate change. Outbreaks and spread of wildfires are usually conditioned by weather, topography, and forest stand characteristics. In the Republic of Korea (hereafter ROK), most wildfires are caused by anthropogenic factors rather than by natural factors. However, the current forest fire forecasting system being operated in ROK does not account for anthropogenic factors. To analyze the impact of human factors, along with physical factors, on wildfire occurrence, a binary logistic regression model was constructed with data for the Gangwon and Gyeongbuk provinces from January 2022 to August 2025. The dependent variable was defined as the occurrence of a wildfire, while the independent variables comprised meteorological, seasonal, stand, and anthropogenic factors. To address multicollinearity, variables with high correlation coefficients were excluded from the independent variables, which were selected by three estimating approaches including logistic regression and two machine learning techniques (namely, Random Forest and XGBoost). With machine learning, the variables with high feature importance were identified. The explanatory power of the logistic regression analysis with independent variables selected by the machine learning models was about 1.3 times higher than the model using variables adjusted solely for multicollinearity. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that weather and coniferous forests are the most important factors fostering wildfires, while the mean stand age was the most significant factor in hindering wildfires. Among the anthropogenic factors, forest road density acted as a suppressor of wildfire spread rather than a promoter of occurrence. Conversely, trail density tends to increase the risk of wildfire occurrence. Among forest management activities, artificial forests could boost forest fires, although this remains uncertain. These findings suggest that preventing wildfires requires a paradigm shift in forest resource management policies, including extending the rotation age of forests and the conversion of coniferous forests to broadleaf forests. Meanwhile, it also indicates the need to restrict the expansion of hiking trails and improve regulations regarding hiker access to prevent wildfires.

Abstract: Mangrove forests in northern Mozambique were impacted by human and natural pressures that caused channel blockage, permanent flooding, and tree die back. To address the issue, hydrological restoration was carried out in August 2024, excavating 6.88 km of canals with impact in 38 ha of degraded mangrove. This study reports on the monitoring results carried out 4 and 10 months later. Site salinity approached optimal levels for mangrove growth by dropping 56% in high salinity areas, and increasing above 100% in freshwater invaded areas. The intervention also homogenized the previously distinct upper, middle and lower zones (Dunn Post-Hoc: p > 0.05). Moreover, seedling density increased from 57.1±44.1 to 4864±1778.6 seedlings/ha; and regenerating species went increase in number (1 to 3 in middle zone; and 0 to 3 in lower zone). More regenerating classes (63:1:1 in upper, 11:1:0 in middle and 6:1:0 in lower) and die back of competing species Juncus kraussii and Cyperus articulates was also recorded. These changes result from the improved tidal flow and general habitat conditions in the restored site. This restoration offers a model for scaling restoration efforts across the region, where ecological restoration remains underrepresented in many mangrove restoration initiatives.

Abstract: Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is a key European forest species, widely managed in coppice systems for timber production. Despite its ecological and socio-economic relevance, regional-scale genetic structure in coppice stands and its potential application to timber traceability remain underexplored. This study aimed (i) to assess genetic diversity and population structure in four coppice chestnut stands of the Lazio region using 12 nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci, and (ii) to evaluate the feasibility of developing an SSR-based framework for timber origin verification at regional and Mediterranean scales. A total of 160 trees from four Lazio populations were genotyped and analyzed together with published SSR data from eight European populations (Spain, Piedmont, Sicily, Greece, and Turkey). Genetic diversity indices revealed high intra-population variability (mean Na = 9.17; mean He = 0.738; mean PIC = 0.737), with most genetic variation partitioned within populations (96% by AMOVA) and moderate differentiation among stands (Fst = 0.038). Bayesian clustering indicated substantial admixture, reflecting extensive gene flow and long-term connectivity typical of coppice systems. Comparative analysis using five shared SSR loci across 12 populations resolved three main phylogeographic gene pools corresponding to Iberian, Central Italian, and Eastern Mediterranean groups. To enable timber traceability, a modified CTAB–PEG DNA extraction protocol was optimized for dried wood material collected from four sawmills (Lazio, Calabria, and France). Reliable multilocus genotypes were obtained from 40 timber samples using seven highly polymorphic SSR loci. Timber assignment was conducted through an integrated analytical approach combining Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC), Bayesian clustering (STRUCTURE), and likelihood-based exclusion testing (GDA_NT 2021). At the regional scale, timber from Lazio sawmills was consistently assigned to the corresponding reference populations with assignment scores of 1.000 and negligible exclusion probabilities. At the Mediterranean scale, timber samples were correctly affiliated with broader phylogeographic clusters, although fine-scale discrimination was limited by regional genetic homogeneity and reference coverage. These findings demonstrate that Lazio coppice stands maintain high genetic diversity and confirm the technical feasibility of SSR-based macro-regional timber traceability in C. sativa. While further marker expansion and broader geographic sampling are required for operational implementation, the integrated framework developed here provides a robust basis for genetic origin verification, supporting sustainable forest management and transparent timber supply chains.