Across Mediterranean Europe, olive groves are in decline from a range of factors, from disease to depopulation. In Italy alone, there are roughly 440 million abandoned olive trees, and the ecological, cultural and socioeconomic impacts from the loss are devastating, explains the latest guest on the Mongabay Newscast. Still, solutions exist to help turn the tide of this under-discussed problem. Federica Romano is the program coordinator and UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes at the University of Florence. She discusses the drivers of the degradation and abandonment of olive groves, how ecological factors and human-induced climate change exacerbate these, and the consequences for biodiversity and wildlife in Europe, where olive oil isn’t just an economic institution, but also a significant cultural one. “Olive groves hold [a] deep cultural significance that goes far beyond agriculture [and] food production across Europe,” she says. “Olive trees have symbolized peace, resilience and continuity through thousands of years, appearing in religious contexts, but also in arts and historical narratives.” The decline of olive groves is exacerbated by recent rural depopulation, as fewer people remain in rural areas to tend them. Romano highlights solutions to combat this, such as adoption schemes by organizations like Abandoned Grove, where people can adopt an olive tree and receive a liter of olive oil in return. Other schemes that she says need urgent attention include implementing tourism-based restoration and agroforestry. “Tree adoption programs, agricultural practices, economic incentives, rural tourism, education training, digital monitoring — so these all can support growth…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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