The Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Human Responses in a Land Degradation-Affected Region: The Messara Valley (Crete, Greece)

Abstract

This paper applies a resilience-and assemblage-based methodology to study the socio-ecological dynamics of human responses in the land degradation-affected Messara Valley (Crete, Greece) socio-ecological system, from 1950 to 2010. It posits that thesedynamics aredriven by changes in their effectiveness, called 'socio-ecological fit', to serve place-and time-specific goals. The socio-ecological fit expresses the degree to which the match among all the biophysical and human components of a Response Assemblage emerging in a socio-ecological system, maintains the socio-ecological resilience of this Assemblage. The socio-ecological resilience results is gauged by synthesizing three system-level properties (Resilience, Adaptability, Transformability) shaped by lower level properties that are assessed from available data. The reported application revealed that human responses (traditional land management, agricultural modernization and subsidized agriculture) and their effectiveness were driven by prioritizing economic and technological considerations that shaped the properties, socio-ecological resilience and fit of three main Response Assemblages formed over the study period, rather than combating land degradation. Agricultural modernization did not uniformly and necessarily lead to land degradation; the situated relationships among the components of the Response Assemblages determined its effects. The fit of future options can be assessed also to support rational land use planning. Refinements in the methodology include the development of techniques to: (a) assess and synthesize the properties of different components in order to improve assessments of socio-ecological resilience and fit and (b) study relationships among the properties of Response Assemblages emerging at different levels.

Exploring the Impact of Various Spectral Indices on Land Cover Change Detection Using Change Vector Analysis: A Case Study of Crete Island, Greece

“…On the other hand, the intensification of the agricultural sector had also an anthropogenic influence on the dominant type of land cover change. This intensification reached a high point in the specific period with complete mechanization of land cultivation and expansion of irrigation networks [38].…”

“…The precipitation decreases in this period altered the groundwater recharge with adverse implications for water supply and agricultural activities. In combination with that, the profit-based unattractiveness of traditional crops and the tourism growth caused further decline in the importance of the agricultural sector [38]. The bare soil expansion in large areas of massifs, such as Lefka Ori and Psiloritis Mounts, was also pronounced for the same period.…”

“…of traditional crops and the tourism growth caused further decline in the importance of the agricultural sector [38]. The bare soil expansion in large areas of massifs, such as Lefka Ori and Psiloritis Mounts, was also pronounced for the same period.…”

Current awareness and knowledge of olive oil

“…4 The nature of olive oil relies upon numerous components: the cultivar, the condition of the well-being of the olive tree and the olives at the hour of collecting, the innovation utilized in the creation, reaping, and extraction, and the capacity states of the essential oil (light power, temperature). 5 Olive oil contains nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. It brings down the danger of atherosclerosis and disease, assists in battling cholelithiasis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, and blockages, and forestalls the development of free revolutionaries. It has extraordinary purifying impacts and improves stomach-related cycles.…”

Efficiency of Vegetables Produced in Glasshouses: The Impact of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in Land Management Decision Making

“…Modern glasshouses are not following this trend and on the contrary are adopting high technology standards, driving these holdings to capital-intensive production units [2]. Glasshouse cultivation, when it is applied in low technology premises, contributes to soil degradation and excessive water use [3]. Another characteristic of this sector is its market orientation, which is in contrast with other cultivations (e.g., arable crops and animal feeding) as their development was based on subsidies.…”