Restoration of floodplain woodlands with native Poplars (Populus nigra and Populus alba) in Italy: some case studies on the Po river

A few case studies demonstrate the fundamental role of Poplar for the rehabilita- tion of degraded sites: the restoration of a few floodplain areas was undertaken in consideration of their importance for biodiversity and for the downflow of water during floods. The main aim of these projects was to restore floodplain forests with environmental-friendly methods and se- lected poplar genotypes, shrubs and other broadleaves which had disappeared as a result of con- version of the areas to intensive agriculture. An additional aim was to re-establish a dynamic evolutionary process in the gene conservation of P. nigra and to create suitable ecological condi- tions for seedling establishment. The results obtained might be used in other similar situations by riparian ecosystem managers.