Davide Frigo

My name is Davide Frigo
and I am a forest ecologist specialized in dendrochronology and dendroecology.

I developed expertise in these fields during my PhD at the University of Padua, and I continue to explore them through collaborations with some of Europe's leading research institutions, including Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Anglia Ruskin University. Over the years, I have taken part in research campaigns across a wide range of environments, from Alpine forests to the Arctic regions of Scandinavia and Alaska.

My work focuses on the analysis of tree growth rings to study forest dynamics, climate variability, and both environmental and human history. I work in applied dendrochronology, wood sample preparation and analysis, technical-scientific support for environmental and archaeological projects, data analysis, and science communication. Through this site I want to share projects, research, and services related to dendroecology and its applications in the environmental, climatic, and cultural heritage fields.

Services

I analyze wood and growth rings to reconstruct histories, date materials, and understand the relationships between trees, the environment, and climate.
I offer services for individuals, institutions, universities, and professionals seeking reliable analysis, technical support, and science communication.

01.

Dendrochronology
and Wood Analysis

• Wood dating

• Sample preparation and measurement for dendrochronological analysis

02.

Environmental Scientific Consulting

• Technical-scientific support for local and European projects

• Consulting for restoration and archaeological studies

• Interdisciplinary collaborations for environmental and climate research

03.

Environmental Data Presentation and Storytelling

• Scientific illustration

• Seminars and workshop

• Science communication and outreach

The services offered involve analysis, research, technical-scientific support, and outreach activities. Any regulated professional activities, such as expert assessments, certifications, or technical assignments reserved for licensed professionals, will be carried out in collaboration with qualified specialists where applicable.

Request a quote

Every project is different.
For this reason, services are defined and tailored according to specific needs.

collaborations

Beavers and Socio-ecological Resilience in Inuit Nunangat

Role

Dendrochronological analysis and sample preparation

Context

A project investigating how the expansion of beaver populations beyond the treeline is altering Arctic river and lake ecosystems, with cascading effects on ecological systems and local communities.

Contribution

• Sample preparation and ring-width measurement
• Dendroanatomical analysis of wood material
• Construction of datasets for statistical analysis

Modelling non-stationary tree growth responses to global warming

Role

Dendrochronological analysis and collaboration in sampling campaigns 

Context

An international project aimed at understanding how tree growth responds to rapid temperature increases, explaining variations in observed growth trends across different environmental contexts using large Northern Hemisphere dendrochronological datasets. 

Contribution

• Field sampling in Alpine (Dolomites) and Arctic (Alaska) environments
• Support in sample preparation and development of ring-width chronologies
• Contribution to the interpretation of climate–growth relationships

Drivers of Juniper Growth at the Edge of the Species’ Distribution over the Last Millennia

Role

Dendroecological analysis, support in statistical analysis, and fieldwork

Context

A long-term research project aimed at reconstructing climate variability and juniper growth dynamics at the Arctic edge of its range over the past millennium. The project also led to the discovery of the oldest known shrub in Europe's tundra biome: a 1,647-year-old common juniper.

Contribution

• Statistical analysis of dendrochronological datasets
• Interpretation of long-term growth dynamics
• Participation in field campaigns in Lapland (Utsjoki, Finland)
• Contribution to scientific outputs, illustrative materials, and science communication

Back to the future: REtrospective and prospective insights in silver fir Adaptation to face the ClimaTe crisis

Role

Dendrochronological and environmental data analysis

Context

A project studying the adaptive responses of silver fir (Abies alba) populations to climate change across various ecological gradients on the Italian peninsula, combining genetic and dendroecological data.

Contribution

• Statistical analysis of dendrochronological datasets
• Support in interpreting climate–growth relationships
• Field sampling along Alpine and Apennine transects
• Contribution to the interdisciplinary integration of genetic and dendroecological data

First Intervention Program to Support the Park’s Forest Resilience through "Assisted Migration" of Tree Species

Role

Dendrochronological analysis and participation in sampling campaigns

Context

A project focused on adaptation strategies for Mediterranean forests to drought and fire risk, within the framework of assisted migration strategies for tree species. 

Contribution

• Processing and analysis of dendrochronological data
• Assessment of growth dynamics under climatic stress conditions
• Sampling campaigns in Apennine forest environments
• Support in data visualization and interpretation

National Program "School and Skills" 2021–2027 – European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

Role

Environmental education expert

Context

A national program aimed at strengthening primary school students' basic and transversal skills through innovative and inclusive teaching methods.

Contribution

• Design and delivery of environmental education activities
• Focus on forest ecosystem functioning
• Promotion of scientific awareness and active participation

PUBLICATIONS

01. Impact of canopy disturbances on climate sensitivity of old-growth beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests.

Kölzer, A., Frigo, D., Martinez del Castillo, E., Reinig, F., Esper, J., Heinrich, I., Neuwirth, B., Baliva, M., Piovesan, G., Ziaco, E.
(2026)
Dendrochronologia 97, 126537

02. Phenological Shifts in Wood Formation Tracked by Frost Rings Across Two Centuries.

Mantovani, E., Prendin, A. L., Brunetti, M., Frigo, D., Dibona, R., Carrer, M.
(2026)
Global Change Biology. 32-2.

03. Covariance and climate signals among state-of-the-art tree-ring proxies.

Römer, P., Wieland, A., Torbenson, M. C., Reinig, F., Ziaco, E., Frigo, D., Greule, M., Urban, O., Čáslavský, J., Pernicová, N., Trnka, M., Carrer, M., Büntgen, U., Keppler, F., & Esper, J.
(2025)
Quaternary Science Reviews, 355, 109270.

04. Common juniper, the oldest nonclonal woody species across the tundra biome and the European continent.

Carrer, M., Dibona R., Frigo D., Gorlanova L., Hantemirov R., Unterholzner L., Normand S., Treier U. A., & Prendin A. L.
(2025)
Ecology 106, e4514.

05. Review of embedding and non-embedding techniques for quantitative wood anatomy.

Frigo, D., Römer, P., Unterholzner, L., Zimmer-Zachmann, H., Esper, J., Carrer, M., & Ziaco, E.
(2024)
Dendrochronologia 88, 126241.

06. Growth form and leaf habit drive contrasting effects of Arctic amplification in long-lived woody species.

Frigo, D., Eggertsson, Ó., Prendin, A. L., Dibona, R., Unterholzner, L., & Carrer, M.
(2023)
Global Change Biology 20(29), 5896-5907.

07. Revealing how intra- and inter-annual variability of carbon uptake (GPP) affects wood cell biomass in an eastern white pine forest.

Puchi, P. F., Khomik, M., Frigo, D., Arain, M. A., Fonti, P., von Arx, G., & Castagneri, D.
(2023)
Environmental Research Letters, 18-2, 024027 (11 pp.).

08. Il potere degli Anelli: la storia secondo gli alberi.

Frigo, D.
(2022)
Giornal di bosco

SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS

To ensure high scientific and analytical standards, I actively collaborate with researchers and specialists in the field.
The expertise and scientific infrastructure provided by this network of collaborations help ensure the quality and reliability of the analyses and services offered.