Desertification Risk and Rural Development in Southern Europe: Permanent Assessment and Implications for Sustainable Land Management and Mitigation Policies

Abstract

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification defines 'land degradation' as a reduction or loss of the biological and economic productivity resulting from land-use mismanagement, or a combination of processes, such as soil erosion, deterioration of soil properties, and loss of natural vegetation and biodiversity. Land degradation is hence an interactive process involving multiple factors, among which climate, land-use, economic dynamics and socio-demographic forces play a key role. Especially in the Mediterranean basin, joint biophysical and socioeconomic factors shape the intrinsic level of vulnerability of both natural and agricultural land to degradation. The interplay between biophysical and socioeconomic factors may become extremely complex over time and space, resulting in specific patterns of landscape deterioration. This paper summarizes theoretical expectations and empirical knowledge in the field of soil and landscape degradation in Mediterranean Europe, evidencing the intimate relationship between agriculture and socio-demographic factors of growth (or decline) of rural areas. Understanding spatio-temporal trends of each factor underlying land degradation and the related background context is a key tool in the assessment of the spatial distribution of vulnerable and critical land to degradation. Empirical results of a permanent monitoring of land degradation contributes to delineate more effective conservation policies through identification of target areas requiring specific actions for biodiversity and landscape protection. With increasing human pressure on rural environments, a diachronic evaluation of patterns and processes of land degradation reveals particularly appropriate in a both positive and normative perspective, prefiguring new actions for soil conservation and landscape valorization under global change.

Socioeconomic Impact of Climate Change in Rural Areas of Greece Using a Multicriteria Decision-Making Model

“…In addition, Cierco Gomes [23], in her study for the Western Balkans, argues that climate change will affect mainly the rural areas, and they are expected to experience economic downturn and social consequences. In addition, Salvia et al studied how land management in Mediterranean Europe impacts the land degradation, evidencing the intimate relationship between agriculture and sociodemographic factors of rural areas [24]. In Greece, specific effects of climate change on agricultural productivity have been recorded [25], noting the need to restructure crops and introduce new production standards.…”

Comprehensive Evaluation and Quantitative Research on the Living Protection of Traditional Villages from the Perspective of “Production–Living–Ecology”

“…Specifically, material ecology herein consists of the characteristics of natural environment C3 and the spatial characteristics of the village C4; the higher the scores of D8, D9, and D10, the better the natural environment of the village [46]. The material heritage features can be divided into three layers: overall layout, public space, and single building.…”

Risks Identification and Management Related to Rural Innovation Projects through Social Networks Analysis: A Case Study in Spain

“…Understanding the importance of managing risks between social groups, political arenas, geographical scales, research groups and industrial sectors can considerably simplify the negative impact of risks within innovation projects. Nonetheless, risk approaches associated with rural project actors have not been frequently applied, leaving the need for further research in this area, which deals with identifying and analyzing information relevant to rural development [27].…”