Agroecological and technological innovations are two important approaches in the transition towards agricultural sustainability. We lack knowledge about how current agricultural contexts may influence future development pathways and the relative importance of the two approaches. This study explores the alignment between past uptake of agroecological and technological practices and future visions of agricultural development in seven European arable farming systems. By combining landscape mapping with farmer interviews, we first assessed the past adoption of agroecological and technological practices in each region. Then, we compared our findings with expert surveys about the future directions of agricultural development that can address local arable farming challenges. We found that in regions with intensive arable farming, agroecological approaches lagged behind the uptake of technological measures, both in the past and in future prospects. In low-intensity regions, we found large gaps between past uptake and future prospects of agroecological and technological practice adoption. These gaps need to be overcome in the context of future challenges of climate change adaptation and of environmental obligations. Our results indicate the need to take differentiated measures depending on farm management intensity and landscape conditions to enhance the future uptake of agroecological and technological solutions that can address the local challenges.

REDD+ is a UN-backed framework aimed at reducing carbon emissions in developing countries through sustainable forest management and the protection and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. These are key goals for the international community to achieve climate change mitigation through forestry. REDD+ programs deliver carbon, environmentally based, and social benefits through incentives provided to local societies. This study focuses on a quantitative assessment of the REDD+ framework from the perspective of localized socio-economic shifts. The drivers–pressures–state–impact and partial least squares–structural equation models were employed to evaluate impacts of socio-economic change on multiple REDD+ benefits and their influential factors in the tropical rainforests of Xishuangbanna, China. The results revealed that land-use changes form essential and complex links between socio-economic and eco-environmental changes. Socio-economic shifts in the recent twenty years in Xishuangbanna impacted carbon emissions mainly through land-use change (impact coefficient = 0.909), which was nearly three times the impact of land-use change on environmental degradation (0.322) and more than twice its impact on social benefits (0.363). Such unbalanced impacts suggest a need to optimize local policies through contextualized measures in a way that effectively addresses livelihood improvements, enhancing carbon storage and environmental services to achieve REDD+ targets in the tropical rainforests of China.

This study explores the complex interplay between innovation, pro-innovative behavior, social capital, and farm viability in contributing to sustainability within agricultural cooperatives. Focusing on the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos (UWC SAMOS), a historic cooperative on the Greek island of Samos, this research aimed to measure and operationalize these concepts using literature-derived indicators and complex indexes. A mixed-method approach was employed, collecting data via semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The findings revealed a highly intricate relationship among these factors which quantitative analysis alone could not fully capture. The findings revealed a complex interplay, with female respondents showing better results in all the created composite indexes of our study. Surprisingly, the respondents of our sample who were more than 60 years old had the highest values in the composite indexes of pro-innovative behavior and economic viability and a relatively high value in the social capital index, and considering the educational level of the interviewees, the proportion with a Master’s or an equivalent level had the highest results in the pro-innovative behavior index and trust but not in economic viability. Crucially, qualitative data highlighted the underlying mechanism of “institutionalization of cooperative members” as a significant mediating factor, explaining the weak innovation and low social trust observed. This study concludes that a holistic understanding of sustainability in agricultural cooperatives necessitates a deep integration of both quantitative measures and qualitative exploration of socio-cultural dynamics, offering a refined conceptual framework for future research and policy.

The coastal cultural landscape reflects the interaction between human activities and the natural environment, providing diverse Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). However, perceptions of CES by multiple stakeholders are rarely considered in coastal cultural landscape management, especially in developing countries, hence impeding conflict resolution for sustainable landscape governance. This study analyses the spatial patterns of CES valued by residents and tourists in a coastal landscape along the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou, China, using geotagged social media photos and image content analysis. The findings highlighted cultural heritage, recreation, artistic appreciation and sense of place as key benefits for both groups. Tourists tend to focus on central city sites, while locals have a more dispersed perception. Random forest analysis revealed significant differences in how natural and human-made features contribute to CES intensity for residents and tourists. These findings enhanced understanding of human-coastal cultural landscape interactions, contributing to local sustainable development policies.

The olive fly (Bactrocera oleae, OLF) is a major pest of global significance that occurs in places where olive cultivation thrives. This paper highlights the economic and environmental damage caused by OLF infestations, including reduced olive oil yield and quality, disrupted supply chains, and ecosystem imbalances due to heavy insecticide use. Understanding olive fly ecology is crucial for developing effective control strategies. The review explores the fly’s life cycle, its relationship with olive trees, and how environmental factors like temperature and humidity influence population dynamics. Additionally, studying the role of natural enemies and agricultural practices can pave the way for sustainable control methods that minimize environmental harm. Climate change, intensive cultivation, and the development of resistance to insecticides necessitate a shift towards sustainable practices. This includes exploring alternative control methods like biological control with natural enemies and attract-and-kill strategies. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of OLF ecology, including its response to temperature and its ability to find refuge in diverse landscapes, is critical for predicting outbreaks and implementing effective protection strategies. By employing a holistic approach that integrates ecological knowledge with sustainable control methods, we can ensure the continued viability of olive cultivation, protect the environment, and produce high-quality olive oil.

Olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) is a pest affecting olive production, causing both qualitative and quantitative damage in all regions of the Mediterranean. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of olive fruit fly populations obtained from an extensive trap network in five olive-growing regions of Greece—Chalkidiki, Samos, Lesvos, Lasithi, and Chania—over a two-year period (2022–2023). The aim was to understand if and how factors such as variety, temperature, and altitude affect the population of the olive fruit fly. Using Geographical Information System (GIS) tools and spatial analysis, we correlated olive fruit fly numbers with temperature thresholds and altitude categories to analyze different patterns of pest movement. The results show significant variation in population dynamics based on these factors: altitudes, region, and a temperature threshold (at least above 32 °C). These insights are necessary for developing effective and sustainable pest management practices while considering spatial and temporal variability of olive fruit fly movements.

Development is generally accompanied by increases in emissions. While numerous studies have examined the dilemma between development and emissions, the question of how areas with different development levels can achieve economic growth while reducing emissions remains a complex challenge. This issue complicates the formulation of synergistic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in designated management areas. To address this, our study identifies the development factors that have a strong indirect effect on emissions in the extremely underdeveloped area of China using the PLS-SEM model method. Furthermore, the study provides threshold results for the synergistic effects of development and emission reduction in underdeveloped areas with differing development levels, based on piecewise linear regression analysis. Our findings show that development processes in underdeveloped areas resulted in significant carbon (C) emissions between 2005 and 2020, ranging from 1,790.34 t to 2,801.33 t. In mildly, generally, and relatively underdeveloped areas, it is possible to achieve synergy between development and emission reduction when the response thresholds for emissions with respect to the proportion of construction land, energy consumption per GDP, and total retail sales of consumer goods are within the ranges of 0.183–0.205, below 0.287 t, and 74.63–89.10 billion yuan, respectively. However, in severely underdeveloped areas, no threshold was identified for the application of agricultural chemical fertilizers that would lead to emission reductions. Ultimately, this study offers decision-makers a range of thresholds to guide management strategies and the development of synergistic policies aimed at mitigating climate change while promoting sustainable development.

This study presents a multidimensional urban sprawl assessment in 15 Indonesian island cities using 17 indicators across densities, composition, and configuration dimensions. The analysis utilizes data from the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL). Larger-sized islands serving as provincial capitals or regional activity centers, governed by multidistrict jurisdictions, tend to be more sprawl. Island-level planning and governance are crucial for managing sprawl effectively. The study highlights the coexistence of multiple sprawl typologies within single-island cities and emphasizes the limitations of simplistic binary/linear sprawl assessments. The findings offer insights applicable beyond island contexts, bridging regional and urban units in multilevel settings.

The agricultural industry is intensifying production methods to increase crop yields. Olive cultivation, the prevalent permanent crop in Europe and the Mediterranean area, involves intense practices with heavy agrochemical use. This significantly impacts agroecosystem biodiversity and its ecosystem services. In this study, we explore how biodiversity influences the adult olive fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi)) population in Lesvos Island, Greece, under different understorey management practices in olive groves. Our findings show that increased plant and arthropod abundance and diversity negatively affect the olive fly. The results suggest that maintaining undisturbed plant cover enhances olive grove biodiversity, ecosystem services, and biological control of the olive fly. Moreover, this practice is in line with Integrated Pest Management principles and Conservation Biological Control approach.

Cultivation of olive-trees is one of the landmark land-uses and agroecosystems of the Mediterranean. The single most important factor of production-loss is infestation by the olive fruit fly (OLF, Bactrocera oleae). We examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of OLF populations on Samos Island by employing spatial-analysis methods for a focused estimation on olive plantations. The case study includes a variation of areas across altitude. We use data for three years (2017-2019) from 399 trap locations that are not associated with farms or other major anthropogenic installations and measure temperature and humidity in 24 locations across the island to: examine the temporal variation of OLF populations, to check the relationship of temperature, humidity, and geomorphological characteristics and calculate the estimated spatial distribution of OLF. Results show small differences of annual averages, but very important spatiotemporal differences and micro hot/cold spots of OLF populations. Findings suggest significant movement of OLF populations across landscape. This approach can help achieve a deeper understanding of OLF behavior in Mediterranean ecosystems and contribute toward new approaches in pest management of olive trees.

In this study, we aim to explore the possible relationships between innovation, social capital, and farm viability towards sustainability, using indicators from the literature and developing complex indexes for all examined concepts in the framework of an agriculture cooperative located on the Greek island of Samos. Data from the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos (UWC SAMOS) were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and further personal in-depth interviews. The findings revealed a highly complex relationship between these indexes that could not just be analyzed quantitatively. Instead, qualitative data explain the weak innovation and low level of social trust by identifying the “institutionalization of the members of the cooperative”, emphasizing the importance of mixed methods approaches.

The agricultural sector has been intensifying production systems to increase yields. Olive cultivation is the most widespread permanent crop in Europe and the Mediterranean region and in many cases, it is under intensive farming practices with heavy use of agrochemicals, greatly affecting olive grove biodiversity. In this study we investigate the impact of different understorey management practices (undisturbed, cleared with mechanical means) on plant cover, ground beetle and bee richness and abundance, and on the abundance of ground arthropods and flying insects in olive groves on Lesvos Island, North Aegean, Greece. We found that undisturbed understorey had a positive impact on plant richness and abundance, ground beetle and bee richness and abundance, as well as ground arthropod and flying insect abundance. The results suggest that maintaining the plant cover undisturbed significantly improves the biodiversity of the olive groves and by extension the ecosystem services, such as pollination, pest control and soil health. [GRAPHICS] .

Current agricultural practices in Europe are increasingly aggravating societal and environmental safety concerns. This creates social and regulatory pressures on farmers, which can lead to declining material and social status of farmers, farmer discontent, and anti -regulation protests. These tensions are rooted in conflicting value systems for agricultural development, which can range from productivist pathways (i.e. valuing production above all else) to increasing multifunctionality pathways (i.e. valuing agriculture for its contribution to multiple economic, environmental and societal needs). It is largely unknown to what degree individual farms and agricultural landscapes are transitioning towards increasing productivism or multifunctionality in practice. Here, we mapped landscape changes and interviewed farmers (n = 274) to examine the diversity of agricultural development pathways in 17 study sites across Europe over the last 20 years (2000 -2020). We also assessed the associations between the development pathways and farmers ' perceptions of socio-economic outcomes, namely job satisfaction, societal valuation, and economic performance. Farm -level development was largely aligned with productivist pathways, while landscape -level changes aligned more closely with an increasing multifunctionality pathway. Farmers on pathways of increasing multifunctionality did not perceive improved outcomes on livelihood indicators as compared to productivist farmers. Furthermore, farms on increasing multifunctionality pathways were concentrated in sites with very high management intensities that face strong pressure from environmental regulations, as well as low -intensity, mountainous sites, where opportunities for intensification are limited. These results suggest that current pathways that increase multifunctionality arise mostly by necessity. Successful agricultural transformation will therefore require policy to create enabling environments that provide socioeconomic benefits for farmers to increase multifunctionality, and a civil society and market conditions that value sustainable agriculture.

This chapter of the book is devoted to a thorough presentation and analysis of all available secondary quantitative and statistical data related to NEETs in the four Southern European countries in order to reach a comprehensive understanding of their characteristics. More specifically, the general characteristics of labour markets in all four countries are presented paying special attention to spatial/regional disparities and then the spatial distribution of NEETs in those countries is analysed and discussed. This analysis is based on various indices such as Location Quotient and is accompanied by mapping the spatial distribution of NEETs in all four countries with an emphasis on the target areas in each country. Secondary data analysis is complemented with an analysis of the primary quantitative data which are produced via a questionnaire survey across all target areas in the four countries. Those data concern indicatively issues such as age, gender, type of household, marital status, cohabitation patterns, education and training skills, employment status, time of seeking and not seeking employment, reported reasons of inactivity and so on. Here the issues of gender and immigrant / asylum seeker / refugee status are of great importance as the survey sample is comprised of NEETs that belong to those categories. The overall quantitative analysis raises important questions as regards NEETs and their situation and paves the way for the next chapter which concerns the experiences, interpretations and life strategies of NEETs themselves.

The environmental impacts of agricultural activities result from a chain of processes, agricultural practices affect the quantity and quality of natural resources, including biodiversity. Geographic information systems contribute to the systematic recording and monitoring of these agricultural practices in terms of production and to associate these practices with impacts on biodiversity. This paper presents the design of a web GIS system that records farming practices on a web map application (FarmGeoBalance), which is used by the farmers to import, store, revise and visualize farming practices in field level and farm level. The web map application communicates with a GeoDatabase informed with the geographical location of the participating fields where spatial and non-spatial data from the application are stored and standardized. The case study is an extensive arable farming system on Lemnos island, Greece, which covers a surface of 482 km2. The system consists of 12 producers with 678 fields, representing 1.7% of the total farmed land of the island. In this paper, we present the web map application architecture and the collected data for the cultivation periods of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, which include farming practices like fertilization, plant protection, irrigation, soil management, etc., outputs, landscape features of the farms related to biodiversity. For all these, their spatial and non-spatial dimension is presented and they are related to elements of the natural geography of fields and soils. With the use of this system recording and monitoring farming practices can assess the impact on biodiversity at multiple scales. It also highlights the need to include the end users at different phases of the development of the services and the interface. Farmers and their participation are the key component of the effectiveness of this effort: they monitor their everyday and seasonal practices at the level that they are realized in their farms.

Farming in Europe has been the scene of several important socio-economic and environmental developments and crises throughout the last century. Therefore, an understanding of the historical driving forces of farm change helps identifying potentials for navigating future pathways of agricultural development. However, long-term driving forces have so far been studied, e.g. in anecdotal local case studies or in systematic literature reviews, which often lack context dependency. In this study, we bridged local and continental scales by conducting 123 oral history interviews (OHIs) with elderly farmers across 13 study sites in 10 European countries. We applied a driving forces framework to systematically analyse the OHIs. We find that the most prevalent driving forces were the introduction of new technologies, developments in agricultural markets that pushed farmers for farm size enlargement and technological optimisation, agricultural policies, but also cultural aspects such as cooperation and intergenerational arrangements. However, we find considerable heterogeneity in the specific influence of individual driving forces across the study sites, implying that generic assumptions about the dynamics and impacts of European agricultural change drivers hold limited explanatory power on the local scale. Our results suggest that site-specific factors and their historical development will need to be considered when addressing the future of agriculture in Europe in a scientific or policy context.

Pest management practices interact with many species and have an impact on the ecology and the economy of the area. In this paper, we examine the population dynamics of the olive fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), Diptera: Tephritidae, on Samos Island, Greece, observing the spatial and temporal changes of the pest along an altitude associated with area-wide pest management. More specifically, we analyze data from an extended McPhail trap network and focus on experimental sites, where we monitor the pest population in relation to sprays, temperature, and relative humidity inside the tree canopy during the season for a three-year period. Our findings indicate that fly populations are influenced mostly by climate and altitude over longer periods in the season and from bait sprays for shorter periods of time, which appeared to be less effective in autumn, probably due to population movements and overlapping generations. Apart from the factors that were taken into account, such as the weather conditions and pest management regimes that were proven important, more factors will have to be considered for infestation level, such as fruit availability, inhibition factors (natural enemies, symbiotic agents, food supplies), and cultivation practices. Site microclimate conditions and the landscape can be used to explain changes at the plot level.

The olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) (Rossi) is the most economically important insect pest in many olive cultivation areas worldwide. However, levels of infestation by this pest show remarkable variability, even among orchards in close proximity to one another. While the factors driving this variability remain uncertain, there is evidence that the presence of native plants species can influence pest populations in agro-ecosystems via various mechanisms, suggesting that variation in the composition of understorey plant communities might plausibly play a role. In this study, we first used field trapping and plant community surveys to explore the effect of the native understorey plants Cistus creticus (Cistaceae), Lavandula stoechas (Lamiaceae), Origanum onites (Lamiaceae) and Sarcopoterium spinosum (Rosaceae) on the abundance of B. oleae across 40 olive orchards on Lesvos Island (Greece). These four plant species are widely spread in many olive orchards. Our results revealed a relationship between the plant community and the intensity of flies captured in McPhail traps, and identified the plant species C. creticus and S. spinosum whose presence was negatively correlated with fly abundance (estimate = -0.047, -0.091, respectively). The subsequent laboratory behavioural experiments revealed that exposure to olfactory cues from C. creticus and S. spinosum reduced fly attraction to odours from the olive host (Olea europaea) by 10%. These results thus reveal a relationship between the infestation levels by B. oleae and the composition of the plant community in olive orchards on Lesvos and suggest a plausible mechanism via which olfactory cues from native aromatic species might influence fly recruitment. More generally, these findings highlight the potentially important role of understorey communities in mediating resistance to B. oleae and other agricultural pests.