Participatory methods and community‐based approaches have an important role to play in combating land degradation. This paper follows a well‐defined participatory framework to identify key stakeholders and to select Sustainable Land Management approaches for reducing soil erosion and land degradation in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. Among the options suggested and evaluated by stakeholders, terrace rehabilitation had the best overall performance, followed by crop diversification and afforestation. Stakeholders agreed that the rehabilitation of dry‐stone terraces was the preferred option, as it is a practice with high environmental benefits and fits well in the local socio‐cultural context, despite the higher cost compared to other options. In the first year of implementing the approach, three mountain communities co‐organised hands‐on terrace maintenance events, engaging more than 160 people in rehabilitation activities. The community‐based approach has sparked the interest of people within and beyond the research site, and another series of events is scheduled for the coming season. This outcome indicates that social innovations can benefit from the integration of local and scientific knowledge, while participatory process can enhance the self‐confidence and organisational structures of local communities. Sustaining and enhancing the impact of the approach in the long‐run require developing local terrace maintenance institutions, actively engaging the youth in terrace management and improving the profitability of mountain farming through the differentiation of local products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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This study aims to examine interactions between tree characteristics, sap flow, and environmental variables in an open Pinus brutia (Ten.) forest with shallow soil. We examined radial and azimuthal variations of sap flux density (Jp), and also investigated the occurrence of hydraulic redistribution mechanisms, quantified nocturnal tree transpiration, and analyzed the total water use of P. brutia trees during a three-year period. Sap flow and soil moisture sensors were installed onto and around eight trees, situated in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, Cyprus. Radial observations showed a linear decrease of sap flux densities with increasing sapwood depth. Azimuthal differences were found to be statistically insignificant. Reverse sap flow was observed during low vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and negative air temperatures. Nocturnal sap flow was about 18% of the total sap flow. Rainfall was 507 mm in 2015, 359 mm in 2016, and 220 mm in 2017. Transpiration was 53%, 30%, and 75%, respectively, of the rainfall in those years, and was affected by the distribution of the rainfall. The trees showed an immediate response to rainfall events, but also exploited the fractured bedrock. The transpiration and soil moisture levels over the three hydrologically contrasting years showed that P. brutia is well-adapted to semi-arid Mediterranean conditions.