Luca Muraro

Populus species, especially hybrid aspen and poplars, hold substantial promise thanks to their high productivity (≈25–30 m³ ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), short rotations (15–20 years), and versatility.

In Sweden, Populus has mostly been planted on agricultural land. Growing interest in alternative species for forest land - driven by rising risks from storms and droughts and the need for options beyond Norway spruce - has shifted that focus. The area of forest land suitable for Populus is far greater than available agricultural land; planting even a small share with poplars or other fast-growing broadleaves could supply enough biomass to meaningfully support the bioeconomy. Realizing this potential requires improved establishment practices and well-adapted genotypes to overcome early-stage challenges. Advancing our understanding of these factors will accelerate successful Populus deployment on forest land.

My PhD research focuses on:

• Developing effective establishment practices for Populus on forest land (e.g., site preparation and soil amendments such as wood ash, lime, and biochar).
• Identifying and validating Populus genotypes suited to acidic forest soils, with emphasis on aluminum tolerance and robust early growth.
• Comparing Populus species establishment with spruce, pine, and birch to guide forest diversification, broadening species portfolios, reducing climate and disturbance risk, and delivering short-rotation biomass.

MSc Euroforester

Sustainable forest management - analysis and adaptations (lecturer)
Broadleaves - Forest dynamics, biodiversity and management for multiple use (lecturer)

2020 - MSc Forestry - University of Padova, Italy
2018 - BSc Forestry - University of Padova, Italy