A framework towards resilient Mediterranean eco-solutions for small-scale farming systems

Abstract

Background The impacts of climate change on crop and livestock sectors are well-documented. Climate change and its related events (e.g., high temperatures, extreme events, disease outbreaks) affect livestock production in various ways (e.g., nutrition, housing, health, welfare), and tend to compromise the physical productivity and the economic performances. Understanding animal responses to climate change may help planning strategies to cope with the adverse climatic conditions and also to reduce polluting emissions. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we develop a conceptual framework to assess and develop new organisational models for Mediterranean small-scale farming systems so as to mitigate the impacts of climate change, to improve farm management and farming technologies, and to achieve an effective adaptation to the climate changes. The conceptual framework consists of four phases: (i) community engagement, (ii) strategies development, (iii) data collection and analysis, (iv) business model generation and sustainability assessment. We assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the eco-solutions by mean of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis technique. Results The proposed eco-solutions are expected to increase the sustainability of agriculture and food production systems by introducing new and efficient uses of natural resources. The proposed models are expected to have an impact not only on the environment (in terms of mitigation), but also on the economic and social performances, as they are expected to foster the responses of small-scale farms to the increasingly frequent effects of climate change (adaptation solutions). Among the positive impacts, we emphasise the importance of more stable revenues, a tendency that would help farmers to raise their revenues. Last but not least, we found that the proposed models are likely to increase the social resilience of the farming systems to the challenges imposed by the climate change. Conclusions The eco-solutions can support stakeholders involved in Mediterranean small-scale farming systems by suggesting novel land, crop, and livestock management approaches to optimise revenue flows, business models and climate change mitigation strategies thanks to the adoption of a systemic approach, that is not only focused on specific components of the system but instead based on the linkages between environmental, social, and economic aspects.

Impact of Climate Change on the Primary Agricultural Sector of Greece: Adaptation Policies and Measures

“…Ruminant farming systems are an essential part of the milk and meat production sector in the Mediterranean region. A significant proportion of these systems exists in less favored areas, where no other viable agricultural production systems could exist, and in this respect, ensuring their sustainability is fundamental [16]-A framework towards resilient Mediterranean eco-solutions for small-scale farming systems, Agriculture and Food Security. As these production systems rely on rangelands, maintaining their productivity becomes crucial.…”

Effects of management strategies on animal welfare and productivity under heat stress: A synthesis

“…Throughout the years, animals have developed a phenotypic response named heat acclimation, that includes reduction of feed intake, an increase of water intake, and an overall altered reproductive and productive efficiency together with other modified physiological functions ( 13 , 14 ). In this context, the livestock sector needs to rely on management strategies which are both adaptation strategies facing pressures imposed by CC, and mitigation strategies limiting damages on the environment ( 15 , 16 ). Particularly, the adaptation strategies include developing tolerant breeds, improving water access, enhancing pasture species, whereas the mitigation strategies cover nutritional interventions (e.g., adjustments in feeding including altered forages, nutrients' supplementation), manipulation of the rumen eco-system, provision of shade, housing, fans, and sprinklers ( 17 – 19 ).…”