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A Review on Management Strategies of the Terraced Agricultural Systems and Conservation Actions to Maintain Cultural Landscapes around the Mediterranean Area

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  • Emanuela Cicinelli

    (Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Caneva

    (Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Valentina Savo

    (Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Coupled human–environment systems and traditional agricultural landscapes can be a key element in the conservation of biodiversity, ecological functionality, and cultural heritage. Terraced landscapes are a relevant example of traditional landscapes within the Mediterranean area, but they are now threatened due to the abandonment of agricultural activities. In order to identify factors that can affect the conservation strategies needed to maintain terraced landscapes in the Mediterranean area, we performed a literature review on studies about terraces and their management, soil erosion and vegetation dynamics after abandonment, etc. We collated a total of 285 scientific papers reporting 293 case studies in 19 countries. The majority of these studies analyze dry stone terraces and their influence on soil erosion and water runoff, either in cultivated or abandoned terrace systems. Only a minority of papers suggest maintenance or conservation strategies or involve farmers, exploring their decision-making. The conservation of terraced landscapes is in the hands of local farmers, and thus they should be actively involved in decision-making to find the most suitable strategies for assuring the continuity in farming and preserve cultural landscapes in the Mediterranean area.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuela Cicinelli & Giulia Caneva & Valentina Savo, 2021. "A Review on Management Strategies of the Terraced Agricultural Systems and Conservation Actions to Maintain Cultural Landscapes around the Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4475-:d:537807
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mauro Agnoletti & Alessandro Errico & Antonio Santoro & Andrea Dani & Federico Preti, 2019. "Terraced Landscapes and Hydrogeological Risk. Effects of Land Abandonment in Cinque Terre (Italy) during Severe Rainfall Events," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Nicolosi, Agata & Cambareri, Domenico & Petulla, Mariangela, 2005. "A Socioeconomic Survey for the Recovery and Exploitation of the Terraced Vineyards of the Costa Viola (Calabria, Italy)," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24486, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Bevan, Andrew & Conolly, James, 2011. "Terraced fields and Mediterranean landscape structure: An analytical case study from Antikythera, Greece," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(7), pages 1303-1314.
    4. Mauro Agnoletti & Leonardo Conti & Lorenza Frezza & Antonio Santoro, 2015. "Territorial Analysis of the Agricultural Terraced Landscapes of Tuscany (Italy): Preliminary Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Carol Palmer & Sue Colledge & Andrew Bevan & James Conolly, 2010. "Vegetation recolonisation of abandoned agricultural terraces on Antikythera, Greece," Environmental Archaeology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 64-80, April.
    6. E. M. Fischer & R. Knutti, 2016. "Observed heavy precipitation increase confirms theory and early models," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(11), pages 986-991, November.
    7. Thanasis Kizos & Anastasia Dalaka & Theodora Petanidou, 2010. "Farmers’ attitudes and landscape change: evidence from the abandonment of terraced cultivations on Lesvos, Greece," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 27(2), pages 199-212, June.
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    1. Xiaopiao Yang & Yuluan Zhao & Jia Zhao & Chao Shi & Bailu Deng, 2022. "Tourists’ Perceived Attitudes toward the Famous Terraced Agricultural Cultural Heritage Landscape in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Enrico Pomatto & Marco Devecchi & Federica Larcher, 2022. "Coevolution between Terraced Landscapes and Rural Communities: An Integrated Approach Using Expert-Based Assessment and Evaluation of Winegrowers’ Perceptions (Northwest Piedmont, Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-27, July.
    3. Enrico Pomatto & Paola Gullino & Silvia Novelli & Marco Devecchi & Federica Larcher, 2023. "Landscape Strategies for Terraced Landscapes in the European Alpine Region Using a Mixed-Method Analysis Tool," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Xuan Fang & Zhujun Gu & Ying Zhu, 2023. "Quantification of Agricultural Terrace Degradation in the Loess Plateau Using UAV-Based Digital Elevation Model and Imagery," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.

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