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Decentralized Wetland-Aquaponics Addressing Environmental Degradation and Food Security Challenges in Disadvantaged Rural Areas: A Nature-Based Solution Driven by Mediterranean Living Labs

Author

Listed:
  • Fatima Yahya

    (Azm Research Center, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli P.O. Box 100, Lebanon)

  • Antoine El Samrani

    (Laboratory of Geoscience, Georesources and Environment-L2GE, Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Campus Fanar EDST, Beirut P.O. Box 90656, Lebanon)

  • Mohamad Khalil

    (Azm Research Center, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli P.O. Box 100, Lebanon)

  • Alaa El-Din Abdin

    (National Water Research Center, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo 19346, Egypt)

  • Rasha El-Kholy

    (National Water Research Center, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo 19346, Egypt)

  • Mohamed Embaby

    (National Water Research Center, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo 19346, Egypt)

  • Mohab Negm

    (National Water Research Center, Egyptian Chinese University, Cairo 19346, Egypt)

  • Dirk De Ketelaere

    (Integrated Resources Management Company, Ltd., 24 Pope Benedict XV Square, 1083 Senglea, Malta)

  • Anna Spiteri

    (Integrated Resources Management Company, Ltd., 24 Pope Benedict XV Square, 1083 Senglea, Malta)

  • Eleanna Pana

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DIMITRA”, Soil and Water Resources Institute, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Vasileios Takavakoglou

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DIMITRA”, Soil and Water Resources Institute, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

The Mediterranean region is highly vulnerable to climate change, soil and water resource degradation, and biodiversity loss. These challenges disproportionately affect disadvantaged rural areas, impacting both natural resources and the livelihoods of local agricultural societies. Urgent transformative measures are essential to address land and water management as well as food security challenges in these disadvantaged areas. Living labs are being called upon to play a key role in addressing these challenges through the development of Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) that are able to provide environmental and socioeconomic benefits towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this work is to provide insights on an open innovation ecosystem of Mediterranean Living Labs for the synergetic development and participatory assessment of decentralized wetland-aquaponics, as NbSs are able to address environmental and food security challenges in disadvantaged rural areas. The study addresses the knowledge gap of Living Labs contribution to the development of decentralized wetland-aquaponics and the limited research on small-scale aquaponics systems in rural Mediterranean settings, while revealing the role of public participation in ascertaining the solution and evaluating its feasibility and impacts in light of the local social values and interests in the mountainous area of Akkar al-Atika in Lebanon.

Suggested Citation

  • Fatima Yahya & Antoine El Samrani & Mohamad Khalil & Alaa El-Din Abdin & Rasha El-Kholy & Mohamed Embaby & Mohab Negm & Dirk De Ketelaere & Anna Spiteri & Eleanna Pana & Vasileios Takavakoglou, 2023. "Decentralized Wetland-Aquaponics Addressing Environmental Degradation and Food Security Challenges in Disadvantaged Rural Areas: A Nature-Based Solution Driven by Mediterranean Living Labs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:15024-:d:1262360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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