Elena Marra

I am currently a Researcher at the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, where I focus on forest operations and their interactions with the environment. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Forest Sciences, and a PhD in Sustainable Management of Agricultural, Forest and Food Resources. My academic background is in forest engineering, operations, and environmental monitoring.

I am actively involved in the international forestry community and currently serve as Coordinator for the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Research Groups 3.05.00 “Forest Operations Ecology” and 3.01.03 “Harvesting and Processing Systems” for the term 2024–2029.

My research is structured around three main axes:

Forest operations and soil impacts – Evaluation of machine–ground interactions using innovative monitoring methods (e.g. drones, portable laser scanners, photogrammetry) to quantify soil disturbance and improve sustainable harvesting techniques.
Plant eco-physiology and stress response – Study of tree responses to abiotic stressors such as tropospheric ozone, with applications in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Technology assessment in forestry – Comparative testing of forestry equipment in terms of productivity, ergonomics, and environmental footprint, contributing to innovation in forest management practices.
Through this research, I aim to support the development of sustainable forestry systems, balancing operational efficiency with the protection of ecosystems.