Framework to improve sustainability of agriculture in small islands: The case of Pistacia vera L. cultivation in Aegina, Greece

ABSTRACT

Pistacia vera L. (pistachio) is a tree widely cultivated for its edible nuts in Iran, the Mediterranean countries, China, the United States (mainly California), and some other countries. The objective of the present study is to provide a framework for sustainable agriculture in small islands, focusing on the cultivation of Pistacia vera L. in Aegina island, Greece. The framework comprises, among other elements, current cultivation practices, the characteristics of the island, pressures from other sectors such as tourism, current land uses, and groundwater vulnerability. Special emphasis is given to agricultural waste management for the production of compost and biochar and the subsequent application to soils in order to improve soil quality (e.g., soil organic matter, soil aggregate stability, water retention capacity, cation exchange capacity), increase soil carbon sequestration, and minimize the risk of groundwater contamination. Finally, the role of various stakeholders in the development of the sustainable framework is also discussed. The sustainability framework, if well designed and implemented, may identify pressures, environmental hotspots, and lack of concerted action between stakeholders and thus indicate mid- and long-term actions to mitigate impacts at various levels. The proposed framework may be also applied in other areas, and especially small islands, exhibiting characteristics similar to those of Aegina.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainability
• agriculture
• Pistacia vera L.
• compost
• biochar

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the European Commission (LIFE + Environment Policy & Governance) in the framework of the LIFE11 ENV/GR/951 project “Sustainable strategies for the improvement of seriously degraded agricultural areas: The example of Pistachia vera L (AgroStrat)” www.agrostrat.gr.