Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Research Articles

Review of the high bed–low ditch system as an alternative to lowland paddy in tropical and subtropical Asia

Many forms of traditional raised bed systems could be found around the world. Several of them have been identified as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) sites by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Unlike traditional raised bed systems with similar structures in the Americas, the high bed–low ditch (HBLD) system in tropical and subtropical Asia, which is originated and developed from rice production, has been playing an important role in enhancing food security and maintaining farmer livelihood for centuries. Moreover, products provided by HBLD system are not only important for the livelihood of the local farmers, but also important for people living in the nearby towns and cities especially for vegetable and fruit supply. In this system, the ditches or sunken beds can be used to lower the groundwater table, retain nutrients and soil particles washed from the bed, grow rice or aquatic vegetables, and raise fish or shrimp. The HBLD system can also help to reduce salinity in coastal lowlands due to the presence of ditches. The raised beds can be used to grow various upland crops. Compared with rice monocropping, the adoption of HBLD system significantly improves the cropping intensity, productivity, employment, and income of farmers. Famers’ long-term practices fully demonstrate that this system is a type of sustainable agriculture with strong adaptability to the changes of natural environment. However, it should also be noted that the large-scale development of HBLD systems is not simply dependent on natural conditions, but is also determined by specific socioeconomic factors, such as good transportation facilities, a well market system, and a sufficient supply of labor. As a model of equilibrium between food production and high levels of biodiversity maintenance, the HBLD system is an important agricultural heritage system with global significance, and it should be well preserved and utilized in new ways to realize its important multiple functions under conditions of rapid urbanization in lowland and coastal regions.

Opportunities for China’s Agricultural Heritage Systems under the “Digital Nomadism” Trend—A Stakeholder-Weighted Approach

Agricultural heritage systems are appreciated worldwide for their significant environmental and cultural values. However, the sustainability of these systems has been compromised by environmental issues due to intensive human activities and socio-economic changes. Research has noticed that “digital nomadism” is providing a new opportunity for the sustainable development and transformation of these systems, regarded as “digital nomad-friendly” destinations. Nevertheless, comprehensive research on this new trend has been limited except for a few individual case studies. This study is the first to investigate the sustainable development of agricultural heritages considering the growing phenomenon of digital nomadism on a large scale. Based on in-depth stakeholder interviews, we introduced the Digital Nomad-Friendly (DNF) score—a comprehensive indicator system chosen and weighted by stakeholders. The DNF scores of 189 China National Important Agricultural Heritage System (China-NIAHS) sites were evaluated, and their distributions were analyzed on a national scale in China. The results highlight the importance of natural landscape and cultural value in the eyes of digital nomads, particularly emphasizing aesthetic landscape features, climatic suitability, and a community atmosphere. Sites with the highest DNF scores are located mostly in the Zhejiang and Yunnan provinces, sharing characteristics that appeal to digital nomads. The DNF scores exhibit regional variations, with high-DNF-score sites being concentrated in southwestern and southeastern China. By enhancing our understanding of digital nomads’ preferences and the influencing factors, this study provides valuable insights for the environmental management, policymaking, and sustainable development of China-NIAHS sites considering contemporary environmental and social changes.

Spatial distribution characteristics and differentiated management strategies of China Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Spatial distribution characteristics and differentiated management strategies of China Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

What Is the Role of Public History and Environmental Oral History in Supporting Conservation through Agroecology?

Indigenous peoples and local communities are key actors in the preservation of important biodiversity resources around the world. However, the ever-encroaching agricultural frontier and expansion of conventional agricultural practices threaten these communities, their autonomy over the land, and the traditional knowledge and practices associated with biodiverse ecosystems. Agroecology emerges as an important solution to support the continuation of agrobiodiversity, food security, and environmental conservation, but top-down solutions often do not resonate with the lived realities of traditional, Indigenous, and small-scale farming communities. This paper examines a collaborative research and narrative network developed over the past several years around traditional erva-mate agroforestry production in Southern Paraná, Brazil. It offers an example of how oral environmental history and public history can support conservation practices through agroecology. The key outcomes of this interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional research and engagement were the development of a candidacy for the system to be recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the implementation of a Dynamic Conservation Action Plan to address the threats and challenges farmers and communities are facing. The discussion explores two concepts that were integral to these processes, the creation of narrative networks and a focus on plurivocity. Both approaches ensured that the actions, knowledge, and narratives developed through the GIAHS candidacy were not imposed but agreed upon and generative through narrative and dialogue, remaining true to the realities and lived experiences of community members.

Analyzing the policy-driven adaptation of Important Agriculture Heritage Systems to modernization from the resilience perspective: a case study of Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System, China

Formulating effective conservation and management policies plays a key role in helping Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) cope with the threats and challenges brought by modernization. An important criterion to measure their effectiveness is whether they maintain or enhance the resilience of IAHS. In this study, we first integrate IAHS resilience into the social-ecological systems (SES) framework and propose a SES-based analytical framework for IAHS resilience, which helps analyze how IAHS adapt to external disturbances under the drivers of policies. Then, we suggest the trade-off of ecosystem services as the surrogate of IAHS resilience and use the carbon footprint per unit output value as an indicator to quantify IAHS resilience. The application in Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System (QRFCS) reveals that the rice-fish culture systems in three villages have formed different development models driven by different conservation and management policies when challenged by modernization, and have displayed different resilience in different development models. The development model centering on enlarged-scale fish farming in Xinpeng Village has shown the highest resilience; the development model with a combination of moderate-scale land management and experiential heritage tourism in Longxian Village has displayed a moderate resilience; and the development model with organic rice-fish culture integrated into terrace sightseeing tourism in Xiaozhoushan Village has shown the lowest resilience. Based on this, we put forward suggestions for maintaining and enhancing the resilience of QRFCS, so as to improve the management of the heritage system. We present that the results will not only enrich the resilience study of SES, but also promote IAHS management and regional sustainable development.

“Listen to us”: small-scale farmers’ understandings of social-ecological changes and their drivers in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Current social-ecological changes affect territories and people’s livelihoods worldwide. Many of these changes have detrimental effects on small-scale agricultural systems, with concomitant negative consequences on global and local food security and sovereignty. The objectives of this study were to explore (i) local knowledge on social-ecological changes and (ii) the perceived drivers of those changes occurring in a mountainscape and an islandscape in two Important Agricultural Heritage Systems of southern South America, both located within a Global Biodiversity Hotspot. This was done by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with local campesinos, whose livelihoods are based on the use and management of agrosilvopastoral systems. We found that local communities experience a wide range of globally and locally induced social-ecological changes acting in their territories. Campesinos mentioned 79 different observations of social-ecological changes and identified drivers for 77% of them. Changes in the atmospheric system, specifically regarding changes in precipitation, drought, and temperatures, were commonly observed by campesinos in both sites. Participants also observed complex interrelations between these changes and the drivers influencing them, climatic drivers being the most important. Even though general changes in climatic patterns were identified as drivers of changes by campesinos, other situated changes derived from the site’s biophysical, social, and economic conditions were also important. Our results highlight the importance of considering local knowledge to understand social-ecological changes and to support the development and implementation of public policies that promote contextualized adaptation measures to global changes that affect local livelihoods.

Tourism Development in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System Areas in Japan: Making Stories and Experience-Based Products

Tourism Development in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System Areas in Japan: Making Stories and Experience-Based Products

Re-Imagining Urban Wetlands: Watery heritage and food policies in the Albufera de València

Urban food policies require interdisciplinary research and action. Based on a holistic vision, these policies aim to facilitate the transformation of the food systems of cities in a sustainable, equitable and resilient manner. Food availability is key to urban food policies and involves recognition of the widespread disconnect between agriculture and consumers and the central role that food-related practices can play in the transition towards sustainable and resilient cities. This article addresses this topic by investigating the strategic role of one area of urban wetlands that has fostered new positive and shared attitudes towards watery heritage. The recovery of waterscapes in the Albufera, in close proximity to one of the most rapidly expanding Spanish urban areas, València, has allowed for a remarkable improvement of both traditional fisheries and paddy fields that has facilitated the regeneration of sustainable food practices. In 2019, the Horta de València, comprising a system of fields extending over a 28 km² area that is irrigated by the Túria River, was recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). The area includes the historic Huerta and a section of the Albufera National Park that still maintains elements of traditional Arab heritage. The Albufera is thereby a significant repository of watery memories related to fisher people, peasants and sailors that an increasing number of environmentalists and seaside tourists interact with, and it thereby exemplifies the nature of wetlands as knowledge resources that can inspire sustainable food practices and policies.

Scientists and remaking heritage: the case of shiitake cultivation in a globally important agricultural heritage system in Japan

ABSTRACT A growing number of traditional agricultural systems around the world have been designated Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), as they are exemplars of the accumulated wisdom of human communities and their close relationship with the local ecology. Heritage inscription is a strategy used to conserve and increase awareness of this inheritance. However, the role of scientists in the construction and inscription of the agricultural heritage has been understudied. Through a qualitative methodology and participatory-observation research, this study examines biocultural heritage construction in a GIAHS in the Kunisaki Peninsula of Oita, Japan. Drawing on actor-network theory and based on the experience of scientists who specialise in traditional log-cultivated shiitake farming, this study demonstrates the role of non-human actors – a fungus-covered chip and shiitake, in particular – in the heritagisation process and the role of scientists in stabilising and destabilising the heritage network. I find that the heritage inscription process of the tradition of log-cultivated shiitake farming has created a new form of identity and moral capital associated not only with the conservation of Japanese food and agricultural heritage but also with the continued existence of local rural villages, protection of national food security and global environmental health.

Assessing Food and Livelihood Security in Sea Salt Community: A GIAHS Study in Ban Laem, Phetchaburi, Thailand

This study investigates food and livelihood security in Ban Laem District, Phetchaburi, a unique sea salt community recognized under the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). We assess the current status of food and livelihood security, utilizing the entropy weight method. Our findings reveal a composite evaluation score of 2.724, comprising an average food security rating of 1.476 and a livelihood security score of 1.248. Agricultural diversity emerges as pivotal for food security, while financial support, indigenous knowledge preservation, and climate adaptation strategies are crucial for livelihood security. Our recommendations include fostering awareness, collaboration, diversified farming, financial accessibility, and cultural conservation initiatives. This research provides valuable insights into coastal community security and informs transformative policies for sustainable development.

Transcriptome analysis in gill reveals the adaptive mechanism of domesticated common carp to the high temperature in shallow rice paddies

Qingtian paddy field carp (PF-carp) is one of the core elements of the first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), Qingtian rice-fish coculture system, and might be the unique and most successful fish species domesticated under shallow rice paddy condition. It shows well adaptation to shallow water and high temperature in rice paddies. In order to reveal the mechanism of this kind of adaptation, we performed transcriptome sequencing and analyzed related enzyme activity indices in the gill tissues of PF-carp at different temperatures (28, 34 and 38 °C). A total of 2831 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by transcriptome sequencing analysis, and KEGG analysis revealed activation and involvement of DEGs in different pathways, including protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, apoptosis and NF-κB signaling pathway. Among these pathways, key signaling factors such as HSP70, HSP90, gp78, Caspase 3, BAX, and IL-8 exhibited varying expression trends. Enzyme activity indicators showed no significant difference in CAT, GSH-Px and MDA at 34 °C and 38 °C within group. Our findings suggest that PF-carp primarily adapts to high temperature environment in rice paddies through the activation of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum to prevents protein misfolding and NF-κB signaling pathway activated by IL-8 and HIF-1β to enhance organism immunity, and the organism does not experience hypoxia and apoptosis when it is in high temperature environment. This study offers valuable insights into the adaptation mechanisms of this species to high temperature environments in rice paddies.

Does the Identification of Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Promote Economic Growth? Empirical Analysis Based on County Data from China

Does the Identification of Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Promote Economic Growth? Empirical Analysis Based on County Data from China

Land use changes in globally important cultural forests. The case of two traditionally managed forests for non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in China and Japan

AbstractNon-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) still have a key role for the economy of many rural areas, for their sustainable development and for preserving traditional culture, landscape and biodiversity. Two sites inscribed in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are based on traditional forest management devoted to shitake production: the Kunisaki Peninsula System (Japan) and the Qingyuan Forest-Mushroom Co-culture System (China). This study investigated the landscape structure of the two sites, assessing the land use changes in the last 10 years, and identifying the main drivers responsible of changes, through GIS-based spatial analyses of 2008 and 2019 land use maps. An accuracy assessment of the original databases has also been performed to validate the research findings. Results demonstrated that the maintenance of the traditional forest management has effectively contributed to the preservation of two different but both traditional landscape structures, but the methodology also allowed to identify some external pressures. In the Kunisaki peninsula the abandonment of agricultural surfaces (-4.3%) and consequent spread of grasslands (+ 63%) and forests (+ 1.3%) mainly affects areas at lower altitudes; in Qingyuan County deforestation (+ 280 ha/year), expansion of new cultivations (+ 250 ha/year) and urban sprawl (+ 67%), represent the main changes. Traditional forest practices represent effective examples of sustainable forest management, capable of providing high-quality NWFPs and ecosystem services to local communities, contributing to the preservation of local natural resources, of cultural heritage, and of biodiversity at the landscape scale.

Cultural Capital of Sea Salt Farming in Ban Laem District of Phetchaburi Province as per the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

This study delved into the cultural capital, value systems, and social organizations in sea salt farming in Ban Laem District of Phetchaburi Province, considered within the framework of GIAHS. The research methodology involved qualitative tools such as in-depth interviews, SWOT analysis, and TOWS matrix, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders such as salt farmers, community leaders, local government officials, and scholars. The study underlines that the sea salt production in Ban Laem District is deeply rooted in both tangible and intangible cultural traits, contributing to the area’s distinct cultural identity. The traditional ceremonies, foods, crafts, and tools associated with salt production form the tangible cultural aspects unique to the area. Sea salt farming’s historical, aesthetic, scientific, economic, and social values accentuate its community-wide importance. However, challenges such as traditional knowledge and practice erosion, skilled labor scarcity, limited comprehension of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), environmental degradation, and globalization’s impact threaten the cultural authenticity of the salt farming community. To counter these challenges, this study recommends preservation of traditional knowledge, cultural value awareness, reinforced environmental conservation, and fostering collaborations among salt farmers, governmental bodies, and the private sector. Collectively, these efforts will contribute to the sustainability and resilience of Ban Laem’s sea salt cultural heritage.

Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review

AbstractArgan tree is endemic of Moroccan arid regions, providing socioeconomic and cultural benefits since ancient times. This study identifies the emerging threats for the argan forest, and the opportunities related to the innovative uses of argan products and byproducts. Argan forest is facing pressure from overgrazing, demand for argan oil and nuts, and land degradation, despite its recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the inclusion in the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme. Innovative use and recycling of the waste deriving from argan nuts processing, offer promising opportunities to support a local bio-economy. Argan press cake can be used to integrate livestock feeding, to extract sudan dyes or to produce bioplastics. Argan nut shells can be used to produce environment-friendly and low-cost purifying materials and biochar, or as a source of bioenergy. Argan pulp can be used for bioethanol production or to obtain natural insect repellent. Despite these promising opportunities, the socio-economic impact of innovative uses is still limited. Local population is not sufficiently involved in management and development strategies. To support the sustainable development of local communities, it is necessary to promote a participative approach as well as training and product differentiation among argan women cooperatives.

Traditional management of ancient Pu'er teagardens in Jingmai Mountains in Yunnan of China, a designated Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems site

BackgroundPu'er Traditional Tea Agroecosystem is one of the projects included in the United Nations' Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) since 2012. Against the background of having rich biodiversity and a long history of tea culture, the ancient tea trees in Pu'er have experienced from wild–transition–cultivation for thousands of years, and the local people's knowledge about the management of ancient teagardens has not been rigorously recorded. For this reason, it is important to study and record the traditional management knowledge of Pu'er ancient teagardens and the influence on the formation of tea trees and communities. This study focuses on the traditional management knowledge of ancient teagardens in Jingmai Mountains, Pu'er, and monoculture teagardens (monoculture and intensively managed planting base for tea cultivation) were used as the control, through the community structure, composition and biodiversity of ancient teagardens to respond to the influence of traditional management, and this work with a view to providing a reference for further research on the stability and sustainable development of tea agroecosystem.MethodsFrom 2021 to 2022, information on traditional management of ancient teagardens was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 93 local people in the Jingmai Mountains area of Pu'er. Informed consent was obtained from each participant before conducting the interview process. The communities, tea trees and biodiversity of Jingmai Mountains ancient teagardens (JMATGs) and monoculture teagardens (MTGs) were examined through field surveys, measurements and biodiversity survey methods. The Shannon-Weiner (H), Pielou (E) and Margalef (M) indices were calculated for the biodiversity of the teagardens within the unit sample, using monoculture teagardens as a control.ResultsThe tea tree morphology, community structure and composition of Pu'er ancient teagardens are significantly different from those of monoculture teagardens, and the biodiversity is significantly higher than that of monoculture teagardens. The local people mainly manage the ancient tea trees mainly using several methods, including weeding (96.8%), pruning (48.4%) and pest control (33.3%). The pest control mainly relies on the removal of diseased branches. JMATGs annual gross output is approximately 6.5 times that of MTGs. The traditional management of ancient teagardens is through setting up forest isolation zones as protected areas, planting tea trees in the understory on the sunny side, keeping tea trees 1.5–7 m apart, as well as consciously protecting forest animals such as spiders, birds and bees, and reasonably rearing livestock in the teagardens.ConclusionsThis study shows that local people have rich traditional knowledge and experience in the management of ancient teagardens in Pu'er, and that this traditional management knowledge has impacted the growth of ancient tea trees, enriched the structure and composition of tea plantation communities and actively protected the biodiversity within ancient teagardens.

Gross Ecosystem Product Accounting of a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System: The Longxian Rice–Fish Symbiotic System

The Rice–Fish Symbiotic System in the Longxian village is the first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) in Asia. This paper examined the value transformation mechanism of the Longxian Rice–Fish Symbiotic System from the micro perspective of material cycle and energy flow and quantified its economic value using the gross ecosystem product (GEP). Using the InVEST model and ArcGIS tools, the GEP was estimated to be approximately CNY 116.51 million (approx. CNY 252,624 per hectare per year). The ecosystem regulating service value occupied more than 80% of the GEP. Within the regulating ecosystem services, the climate regulation value was the highest (CNY 55.72 million) followed by flood storage value (CNY 32.77 million). These two categories contributed 94.44% of the total value of regulating ecosystem services. The paper recommends employing GEP to evaluate the value of commodities and services provided by an ecosystem. The methodology and approach of the research can serve as an important reference for other GIAHS programs and provides a scientific and rigorous framework for accessing the economic value of agricultural heritage systems.

메타버스를 활용한 하동군 도시브랜드 활성화 방안

Hadong-gun is a city that represents the history of tea as a breeding place for Korean tea and has been accredited as an Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the country and the global, but its public awareness is low. If the city brand of Hadong-gun is established focused on Hadong tea using Metaverse technology, it can be a countermeasure. Through analysis of Bigkinds, a database of Korean media articles, and Hadong-gun characters, it was confirmed that Hadong tea is the center of Hadong-gun's city brand. Subsequently, key words of Hadong tea value were extracted, substituted into four types of city brands, and then implemented through the Metaverse. Utilizing the Metaverse platform, it was not only possible to express a new way in Hadong-gun's unique history and culture, but also to see the possibility as a tool for the development of city brands. Metaverse can easily approach the MZ generation, who are proficient in new technologies, and can solve various problems limited to time and space. In particular, if Hadong-gun implements the Metaverse platform for the purpose of vitalizing the city brand, the Metaverse can become a new tool for promoting the city.

Steep-slope viticulture: The effectiveness of micro-water storage in improving the resilience to weather extremes

Steep-slope vineyards are widely distributed in the Mediterranean region and have a pivotal role in wine production, economic development, and cultural heritage. Nevertheless, they are threatened by climate change in terms of opposite weather extremes, such as heavy rainfalls and long-lasting droughts. In response, rainwater harvesting systems have emerged as valuable solutions for managing water resources and controlling related problems. Of primary importance is the identification of suitable sites for installation. However, a systematic selection procedure still needs to be explored; it is necessary for morphologically complex vineyards that include historical features of significant cultural value (such as terraced systems). To fill this gap, this study employed a high-resolution overflow simulation model that combines a set of criteria to identify the optimal network of water harvesting structures (also drawing on traditional knowledge) and quantify the potential for water storage during rainfall of varying intensities. The study area considered is located within the “Soave Traditional Vineyards” (north of Italy) site, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) recognized by FAO. The surface overflow was simulated considering two key rainstorms that occurred in the last few years at different time intervals. 53 potential sites for water harvesting were selected according to field survey, runoff simulation, and topographic analysis. The results indicate that the water potentially collected from designed sites could have a double function: (1) mitigate the surface overflow that can potentially cause downslope terrace collapse or even flooding villages; (2) provide irrigation water for vineyards during water scarcity scenarios. The spatial distribution of the water collected could undoubtedly guide sustainable decisions in steep-slope viticultural systems under climate change forcing.

Aboriginal Community Views about a Native Plant-Based Enterprise Development in Northern Australia

As global populations rapidly increase, there is a need to maintain sustainable landscapes through innovative agricultural systems and practices that continue to work towards addressing Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger. Indigenous people around the world seek culturally appropriate and sustainable livelihood opportunities to improve their socioeconomic status, and there is a rich diversity of existing globally important agricultural heritage systems that have been developed by Indigenous cultures over millennia. Wild harvest of plant products is an innovative agricultural practice which has been conducted by Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years and is a more acceptable form of agriculture on Aboriginal land than more intensive forms, such as horticulture. Wild harvest is typically more culturally appropriate, less intensive, and involves less impact. However, enterprise development programs in Aboriginal communities across Northern Australia have historically had very limited economic success. Such communities often experience high welfare dependency and few economic development opportunities. This research takes a case study approach to explore community views about the development of an Aboriginal plant-based enterprise in the Northern Territory, Australia. We used qualitative methods to engage with community members about their experiences, current attitudes, and future aspirations towards the Enterprise. We found that there was broad support from across all sectors of the community for the Enterprise and clear understanding of its monetary and non-monetary benefits. However, there was limited knowledge of, and involvement in, the business beyond the role of provider and producer, and of the governance aspects of the Enterprise. Using this case study as our focus, we advocate for deeper understanding and stronger inclusion of community aspirations, realities, and perspectives on Aboriginal economic development. Cultural values and knowledge need to inform business development. Additionally, there is a need to invest in basic infrastructure to account for the low base of private asset ownership in this context. A holistic, multifunctional landscape approach is required to support sustainable agricultural practices on Aboriginal lands across Northern Australia.