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Similar to “Diversify & minimize”: Agroecological approaches for greenhouse gases mitigation and increasing resilience of Mediterranean agroecosystems and rural societies
“Diversify & minimize”: Agroecological approaches for greenhouse gases mitigation and increasing resilience of Mediterranean agroecosystems and rural societies
- 1. Dr. Vasileios Gkisakis AgroecologikiSP “Diversify & minimize” Agroecological approaches for GHG mitigation & increasing resilience of Mediterranean agroecosystems & rural societies
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- 3. Climate change &Agriculture Major global contributor Production capacity negatively affected Climate change Agricultural & livestock production systems Shocks & Stresses Increase resilience Mitigation Anthropogenic GHG emissions
- 4. (Saadi et al.,2016) Temperature difference (°C) between 2000 & 2050 Climate change & Agriculture Mediterranean as a “hotspot”
- 5. Climate change &Agriculture Mainstream discussion dominated mostly by efficiency approaches and technological fixes, carbon markets & biofuel policies Changes not radically modifying the monoculture nature of dominant agroecosystems may moderate negative impacts only temporarily. (Matthews et al.2013) (IFOAM EU, 2016; Altieri, 2016; Pimbert, 2015) A systemic & holistic approach required
- 6. Management threats toagroecosystem resilience Agroecosystem simplification Reliance on only few crops failing to mimic more complex, naturally occurring ecosystems. High dependency on external & synthetic inputs Long-term decrease of soil’s natural fertility & dependency on purchasing inputs, not taking advantage of ecological processes. Intensive soil management Degradation of soil structure, harm of beneficial insects & soil microbes, increase of erosion. Uninformed & unrestrained promotion of modernized practices & external technologies Undermining existing local knowledge regarding ecosystems, weather, soil & biodiversity use, which may prove valuable as part of a resilience toolkit.
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- 8. Sustainable food productionsystems
- 9. Agroecology Applies ecologicalprinciples to the design & management of biodiverse, productive & resilient farming systems (Altieri, 1987;1995) Defines, classifies & studies agricultural systems from an ecological & socio- economic perspective
- 10. Agroecology (Wezel, Bellon, Dore,Francis , D. Vallod , David, 2009) Agroecology Science Movement Practices Field approach Production Systems ecology Agroecosystem Ecology Environmentalism Food Sovereignty Techniques Sustainable farming Since early 20th Since 80’sSince 00’s
- 11. Permaculture Agroecological approaches Biodynamic Agriculture Conservation Agriculture Urban farming Organicfarming Multifunctionality Agroecology
- 12. Agroecological concept Agro- ecological Practices Agrobiodiversity Climate & Atmosphere Input management Environmental Impact Assessment Soil Socio-economic dimension Agricultural Knowledge Equality Food sovereignty Local character Agriculturaleducation Agricultural research (Gkisakis, 2016) Science Farmers
- 13. Diversify Agroecosystem diversification atgene, species & landscape level to maintain ecosystem functioning as important resilience strategy & toolkit (Altieri, 2016) • Polycultures • Intercropping • Cover crops • Locally adapted varieties • Agroforestry • Agro-silvopastoral systems • Landscape conservation
- 14. Diversify (Kaye and Kemada,2017) GHG mitigation effects of cover crops on greenhouse gas fluxes higher than mitigation from transitioning to no-till. Mitigation Agricultural performance after extreme climatic events in last decades: resiliency to climate disasters is closely linked to high level of on-farm biodiversity Resilience: (Altieri & Nichols, 2017, Mijatovic et al. 2013, Rosset et al. 2011, Philpott et al. 2009, Holt-Giménez 2002) Growing evidence:
- 15. Minimize Agroecological approaches minimize: Use of external synthetic inputs to reduce cost, dependence and harm to climate & ecosystem by recycling nutrients & energy (mitigation) Losses of energy, water & nutrients by enhancing conservation and regeneration of soil, water resources & agrobiodiversity (resilience) Intensive soil management (mitigation & resilience)
- 16. (Reganold & Wachter."Organic agriculture in the twenty-first century." Nature Plants 2 (2016): 15221) Assessment of organic farming relative to conventional farming in major areas of sustainability Diversify & minimize effect
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- 18. Traditional agricultural knowledge offera wide array of management options & designs supporting agroecosystems resilience: (Koohafkan & Altieri 2010; Altieri & Nichols, 2013; Toledo & Barrera-Bassols, 2008) Traditional & localized farming systems & practices • Complex • Adapted to local conditions • Sustainable management of harsh environments • Without external dependence Lower synthetic inputs : Lower GHG (Denevan, 1995) (Nigli, 2008)
- 19. Traditional agricultural knowledge Vineyardpruning in SantoriniDry farming of Santorini’s local variety of tomato Paradigms from the Greek islands:
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- 21. Agroecological transition Re-design thefarming system based on a new set of ecological relationships, which entails gradual conversion based on principles of agroecology Not an one-step procedure.
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- 23. Many small farmers,especially of the global South, prepare for and even cope with climate change, minimizing crop failure through a series of agroecological practices Agroecological transition Already happening.. (Altieri & Nichols, 2013)
- 24. “..We urgently needto adopt most efficient farming systems and recommend for a fundamental shift towards agroecology as a way to boost food production & improve the situation of the poorest.” Agroecological transition (IASTD, 2009; O. De schutter – UN’s Special Rapporteur 2010)
- 25. Agroecological Concept Agro- ecological Practices Agrobiodiversity Climate & Atmosphere Input management Environmental Impact Assessment Soil Socio-economic dimension Agricultural Knowledge Equality Food sovereignty Local character Agriculturaleducation Agricultural research (Gkisakis, 2016) Science Farmers
- 26. Agroecological Network ofGreece (Αgroecology Greece) Initiated in early 2017 Aiming to promote Agroecology as Science, Practice & Movement in Greek. Networking to exchange information, knowledge & research Familiarize principles & framework of agroecology in Greece Promote the transition of food production systems towards a sustainable form, integrating food sovereignty & security. @AgroecologyGreece @AgroecologyGrwww.agroecology.gr
- 27. First Agroecology EuropeForum: 25-27 October 2017, Lyon, France “Fostering synergies between movement, science and practice”
- 28. Improvement of greeninfrastructure in agroecosystems: reconnecting natural areas by countering habitat fragmentation LIFE IGIC LIFE+ NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY Contract Nr: LIFE16 NAT/GR/000575 Duration: 9/2017 – 12/2022 Objective Development of Green Infrastructure (GI) & supporting Sustainable Farming Methods in pilot olive orchards, in Western Messara plain, south Crete, Greece. The project will play a demonstrative role in regional, national & EU level, while it will conserve biodiversity, enhance agroecosystem services and provide a robust basis for existing protected areas (Natura 2000) reconnection.
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