Revitalising terraced landscapes: Co-production of ecosystem services for sustainable futures

Abstract

The interplay between human and ecological systems has evolved from traditional conservation approaches to integrated socio-ecological frameworks that emphasise the co-production of ecosystem services. This paper aims to inspire new research pathways to advance the Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) perspective by focusing on terraced agroecosystems as emblematic landscapes that exemplify this co-production. Informed by recent studies in sustainability science, and drawing on our experience in Mediterranean environments, we explore the transformative potential of these frameworks for understanding and managing terraced landscapes. Addressing their multifunctionality, the challenges they face, and their socio-cultural and ecological significance, we highlight the importance of bridging scientific insights with local knowledge and participatory practices. We examine the use of advanced biophysical assessments, mapping tools, and stakeholder-driven approaches to enhance field assessment, monitoring capabilities and tackle management challenges under changing socio-economic conditions. We stress the urgent need for education and capacity-building initiatives to counteract indigenous knowledge loss and sustain traditional practices. Looking to the future, we propose potential avenues for research and practice that integrate ecological, cultural, and governance dimensions, contributing to the long-term sustainability of terraced landscapes and informing broader efforts for sustainable land management in an era of rapid environmental change.

Keywords

Ecosystem services / Co-production / Sustainable landscapes / Drystone terraces / Mountain agroecosystems / Adaptive governance

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Christos Zoumides: Writing – original draft, Visualization, Investigation, Conceptualization. Adriana Bruggeman: Writing – review & editing. Hakan Djuma: Writing – review & editing.

Declaration of competing interests

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the projects REACT4MED — Inclusive Outscaling of Agro-Ecosystem Restoration Actions for the Mediterranean, which is part of the PRIMA Programme supported by the European Union under Horizon 2020 (Grant No. 2122, Horizon 2020), and SELINA — Science for Evidence-based and Sustainable Decisions about Natural Capital, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (Grant No. 101060415). Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. We also appreciate the thoughtful feedback provided by the editor and two anonymous reviewers on earlier versions of this manuscript.

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