Ir. L. Fleskens: The future of olive farming on sloping land

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7 Sep 2007 11:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, gebouw 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. L. Stroosnijder (Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation)
Co Promotor: Dr. J. de Graaff

 Olive farming has an impressive history in the Mediterranean. For the major part of that history, olive cultivation was environmentally and economically sustainable. On sloping and mountainous land, often with shallow and stony soils, the rustic olive tree was adapted to its environment. However, several developments have threatened the olive orchards in these disadvantaged zones in a relatively short time frame: depopulation of the rural areas, integration in the market economy with fierce competition, and technological innovation. Moreover, EU production subsidies have significantly changed the face of olive farming. These profound changes have created a stratification of olive production systems, to the extent that they now show variable environmental and economic performance, with an especially ambiguous record in soil erosion. This stratification has important consequences for the future development of olive farming. The current thesis explores these issues within a framework of function assessment. Dealing uniquely with olive production systems on sloping land, it first establishes a typology of such systems. Subsequently, it is shown how the functions of a particular system can be assessed using the 'house of functions' concept developed especially for the purpose. The soil conservation function is the topic of an in-depth analysis. Scenario analysis is applied to define the prospects for olive farming in several regions and the further consequences for the natural resource base. Conservation scenarios are presented as a tool to develop adaptive management strategies that enhance the multiple functions of olive production systems and minimize environmental impact under variable circumstances. 

Title thesis: Conservation scenarios for olive farming on sloping land in the Mediterranean
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