Farming System Transformation Impacts on Landscape: A Case Study on Quality Wine Production in a Highly Contested Agricultural Landscape

George Vlahos

doi:10.3390/land9040120

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to synthesize the conclusions of a series of consecutive research projects along a common thread. It focuses on the landscape impacts of a gradual transformation undergone by a low input and bulk wine producing system into a quality wine system. This transformation took place on the island of Santorini, in Cyclades, Greece, during the last four decades in a highly contested landscape. A polarization in the power game has been identified, with two poles having different priorities and perceptions about the two issues at stake: agricultural landscape and wine quality. In the course of this process, both synergistic and antagonistic transition dynamics are encountered, transforming significantly the balance of driving forces. Our analysis suggests that market forces influenced landscape change to a far greater degree than policy measures implemented on the island. Developments in the international markets for tourism and quality wine have played a crucial role in land use change and farming intensity. Public intervention in the form of both regulatory land use planning policy and incentive measures like Rural Development Policy, including an agri-environmental measure, targeted to the vineyards of Santorini, did not seem to have an equally important impact. Integration of landscape maintenance practices within the wine quality regime could create beneficial synergies.

Highlights

Various challenges and changes in agri-food systems have been increasingly analyzed through the ‘transition to sustainability’ perspective over the last two decades1 [2,3]
This study aims at analyzing the landscape effects of a transition of an agri-food system at the sub-regional scale during the last four decades
In the case of Santorini Island, three different driving forces can be identified as exerting an important influence on agriculture, land use, and, the landscape

Summary

Introduction

Various challenges and changes in agri-food systems have been increasingly analyzed through the ‘transition to sustainability’ perspective over the last two decades1 [2,3]. Part of the information used in this paper was collected during the course of the project FARMPATH- Farming Transitions: Pathways towards regional sustainability of agriculture in Europe, a project co-funded under the European Union’s Seventh. Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration GA 265394. This information was used in a previous paper by Vlahos et al [1] presented during the 12th International Farming Systems Association Symposium. Information and data has been drawn from the project ENVIEVAL—Development and application of new methodological frameworks for the evaluation of environmental impacts of rural development programmes in the EU, a project co-funded under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration GA312071

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Discussion

Conclusion