New Insights into Agriculture on Small Mediterranean Islands: A Systematic Review

Mireille Ginésy and Rita Biasi ()
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Mireille Ginésy: Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrifood and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Rita Biasi: Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrifood and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-47

Abstract: The numerous inhabited small islands of the Mediterranean basin are marginal geographic territories of high natural value. Historically, island communities have developed complex, poly-cultural agricultural systems, based on the use of native genetic resources and traditional ecological knowledge, to address the challenges linked to unfavorable climate, geology, and topography. However, economic, socio-demographic, and climatic factors have caused farmland abandonment, leading to soil and land degradation and to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review to assess the state of scientific research with regard to agriculture on small Mediterranean islands. After screening records retrieved on Scopus, Web of Science, CABI, and Google Scholar, 167 articles published before July 2025 were included in the analysis. The articles covered 6 countries and 126 islands, with Greek and Italian islands being the most represented. Key topics included trajectories, drivers, and consequences of land use change, agrobiodiversity, and water resources. To complete the systematic review, 30 relevant EU-funded projects were identified and analyzed. Overall, the scientific research aimed at supporting agriculture on Mediterranean small islands tends to focus on a single issue or very few issues. However, we suggest that given the complexity of the drivers and consequences of farmland abandonment, more integrated approaches could have a greater impact. By providing a systematic overview of the current state of the research on agriculture on small Mediterranean islands, this review offers a solid basis for guiding ongoing and future research, actions, and policies aimed at building resilience in these fragile and endangered lands.

Keywords: agrobiodiversity; drivers of change; farmland abandonment; landscape; sustainable development; typical agrifood products; traditional ecological knowledge; traditional agroecosystems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:1874-:d:1748891

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