Development of a GIS-Based Methodological Framework for Regional Forest Planning: A Case Study in the Bosco della Ficuzza Nature Reserve (Sicily, Italy)

Effective forest planning in Mediterranean environments requires integrated tools capable of managing ecological complexity, topographic variability, and institutional fragmenta-tion. This study presents a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodological framework for territorial forest planning, applied to the “Bosco della Ficuzza, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere, Gorgo del Drago” Regional Nature Reserve in Sicily, It-aly. The approach combines high-resolution cartography, digital terrain modeling, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveys to create a multi-layered Territorial Information System (TIS) that supports spatial decision-making in protected areas. A de-tailed Digital Terrain Model (DTM) was generated using a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) approach to derive key topographic attributes including slope, aspect, and elevation classes. Field surveys of forest roads and infrastructure were conducted using consum-er-grade GNSS receivers to assess network condition and accessibility. The resulting geo-database integrates vector and raster data, supporting thematic analyses such as fire ex-posure zoning, infrastructure prioritization, and accessibility modelling. The proposed framework enables scalable, cost-effective planning and is aligned with INSPIRE Directive standards to ensuring interoperability with broader European spatial data infrastructures. Its replicability and adaptability make it suitable for application in other Mediterranean forest landscapes. The study emphasizes the significance of digital tools for enhancing forest governance, increasing transparency, and supporting adaptive management in en-vironmentally sensitive areas.