Maximiliano Costa

Dr. Maximiliano Costa is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich. His research focuses on forest ecosystems' response to climate change, windthrow impacts, and protective functions of forests against natural hazards such as landslides and rockfall. He specializes in modeling forest dynamics under climate change, assessing wind vulnerability in alpine regions, and evaluating mitigation strategies for sustainable forest management.

Research Interests: Dr. Costa investigates the interactions between climate change, natural disturbances (e.g., windstorms), and forest resilience. His work integrates ecological, mechanical, and geospatial approaches to address challenges in forest management and protection. Key topics include wind resistance in tree species (e.g., Norway spruce), protective effects of forests in mitigating landslides/rockfall, and the development of climate-resilient forestry practices.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary methods such as wind risk modeling, remote sensing for forest assessment, and analysis of biological legacies post-disturbance. His research contributes to policy-relevant strategies for adapting forests to extreme weather events and safeguarding ecosystem services in mountainous regions.