Characterization of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in Europe

Abstract

The recognition and safeguarding of agricultural heritage in Europe are new concepts that are gaining attention due to the contribution they make to sustainability. Of the 57 Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) that exist in the world today, only six have been designated in Europe. Through a qualitative analysis of the proposal documents submitted by these six European GIAHS to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the designation process, this study provides a comparative characterization of these sites supported by expert assessment. During the first phase, 24 specific sub-criteria were observed based on the five main criteria that a site has to meet in order to demonstrate its global relevance as an agricultural heritage of humanity. The relevance of the resulting sub-criteria was then assessed by a Delphi panel of experts and the validated ones were applied in an assessment of the six European sites. The European GIAHS sites are characterized by the high value of their cultural landscapes' evolution, modeled by traditional and adaptive agriculture knowledge and practices that are promoted and maintained thanks to organized and committed social organizations. The results of structuring of sub-criteria can facilitate the application of other possible European GIAHS sites.

Agricultural Heritage Systems and Landscape Perception among Tourists. The Case of Lamole, Chianti (Italy)

“…For these reasons, agricultural heritage systems and traditional agricultural practices can represent a resource for the rural territories and for their economic development [58,59]. This is important not only for well-known places, such as Chianti, but also for rural areas with less developed economies but with strong traditional agricultural practices [13,60,61], for which the inclusion in national or international programs can offer important opportunities.…”

The Huerta Agricultural Landscape in the Spanish Mediterranean Arc: One Landscape, Two Perspectives, Three Specific Huertas

“…As highlighted by Arnés García et al, agricultural European heritage is gaining momentum as sustainable systems, adaptative traditional techniques with high resilience, and linked to local traditional knowledge, which preserve valuable cultural heritage. Consequently, their recognition in the FAO GIAHS' list is the first step to focus on disclosing their importance [65,66]. Moreover, perceived as multifunctional systems [67], these Huertas have proven to be a highly appreciated environmental and productive asset which, in turn, converge within the European directives about land uses considering them as an opportunity for the development of green infrastructure goals and natural flood management [68,69], or, as territorial multi-scalar connectors between urban settlements and Natura 2000 sites network, thus, providing landscape connectivity and contributing to improve an ecosystem services framework [70,71].…”

Sustainability of Village Tank Cascade Systems of Sri Lanka: Exploring Cascade Anatomy and Socio-Ecological Nexus for Ecological Restoration Planning

“…Thus, the evidence of the relationships can be established between biological diversity and cultural practices of the landscape. Traditional knowledge and biodiversity are the key indicators for recognizing GIAHSs and SESPLs established by the FAO [76] and the Satoyama initiative [77] in different regions of the world. The study used the concept of biocultural diversity [78] integrating an ES approach [79], and blended data and information generated from the field assessments and surveys of the HLP (biodiversity, traditional knowledge, food security, ES and medicinal plants) [28] to unveil relationships between biocultural elements in the Mahakanumulla VTCS as illustrated in Figure 10.…”