Presentation in the International Conference “Climate Changing Agriculture”, Chania, Greece, 29/8-2/9/2017 (http://www.climate2017.eu) Abstract: “Diversify & minimize”: Agroecological approaches for greenhouse gases mitigation and increasing resilience of Mediterranean agroecosystems and rural societies Climate change is expected to have a pronounced effect on food production systems of the Mediterranean region, due to combination of adverse agroclimatic and socio-economic conditions. Without an adaptation strategy to be implemented soon, the performance of modern, high input, cropping systems is estimated to be at stake, while rural communities appear as highly vulnerable. On the other hand, agroecological approaches can serve as the basis to increase resilience of Mediterranean agriculture and rural society. Agroecology is defined as a multidisciplinary science, as well as practice and movement, which provides a holistic approach for the design and management of truly sustainable food production systems. It incorporates integrated and robust paths to increase climate resilience and performance, with successful international examples. This is mostly achieved through high field diversity and landscape heterogeneity (Diversify) to resist extreme climate effects and low-input management (Minimize) for greenhouse gases mitigation purposes. The agroecological concept incorporates also traditional agricultural knowledge, as developed in conditions of scarce resources of the Greek islands and for cropping systems like olive, vine and vegetables, combining several agroecological methods; adjusted and diversified farming techniques, use of locally adapted, stress-tolerant crops, sustainable management of resources and soil. Eventually, a paradigm shift towards agroecological strategies requires gradual transition procedures, addressing additional social and economic issues; localized production & consumption networks, community supported agriculture and diffused agricultural knowledge by facilitating innovative research & extension services, both institutional and among farmers. The above can set the conceptual framework to achieve climate mitigation and resiliency of the Mediterranean agroecosystems, as well as food sovereignty and security for rural societies. Therefore, policies and actions which address and support the development and adaptation of such agroecological mechanisms should be pursued.

1. Dr. Vasileios Gkisakis
Agroecologiki SP
“Diversify & minimize”
Agroecological approaches
for GHG mitigation &
increasing resilience of
Mediterranean
agroecosystems & rural societies

2. Climate change
& Agriculture

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 to agroecosystem 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.

7. Agroecology

8. Sustainable food production systems

9. Agroecology
 Applies ecological principles 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
Organic farming
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
Agricultural education Agricultural research
(Gkisakis, 2016)
Science Farmers

13. Diversify
Agroecosystem diversification at gene, 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

17. Traditional
agricultural
knowledge

18. Traditional agricultural knowledge
offer a 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
Vineyard pruning in SantoriniDry farming of Santorini’s local variety of tomato
Paradigms from the Greek islands:

20. Agroecological
transition

21. Agroecological transition
Re-design the farming system
based on a new set of ecological
relationships, which entails
gradual conversion based on
principles of agroecology
Not an one-step procedure.

22. Agroecological transition
(Gliessman, 2015)

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 need to 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
Agricultural education Agricultural research
(Gkisakis, 2016)
Science Farmers

26. Agroecological Network of Greece
(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 Europe Forum:
25-27 October 2017, Lyon, France
“Fostering synergies between movement, science and practice”

28. Improvement of green infrastructure 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.

29. Thank you