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Foraging Practices and Sustainable Management of Wild Food Resources in Europe: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgio Mina

    (Department of Management, University of Turin, Corso Unione Sovietica 218 bis, 10134 Turin, Italy)

  • Valentina Scariot

    (Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 2, Largo Paolo Braccini, 10095 Turin, Italy)

  • Giovanni Peira

    (Department of Management, University of Turin, Corso Unione Sovietica 218 bis, 10134 Turin, Italy)

  • Giampiero Lombardi

    (Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, 2, Largo Paolo Braccini, 10095 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Wild food gathering activities (i.e., foraging practices) played an important role in securing food in the past. Nowadays, these resources and the knowledge around their use are experiencing a process of erosion. This article aims to identify the factors explaining the abandonment or, on the other hand, the preservation of foraging practices in Europe. The second aim is to analyze how these practices contribute to the economic and social development of local communities and to the sustainability of land management. A systematic review of the literature on European foraging practices was performed to answer these research questions. Following this approach, 111 publications were selected and analyzed. The results highlight that the reasons for the abandonment of foraging practices are related to socio-economic changes as well as changes in the environment such as reduced availability and land-use change. On the other hand, heritagization processes of these resources, such as wild plants sold as traditional local products, in restaurants, or as eco-tourism experiences, are emerging. The sustainability of these practices has not been widely evaluated in the literature. Efficient management strategies of wild food resources could help foster all three dimensions of sustainability at the local level, as well as help preserve traditional knowledge. This systematic review thus contributes to highlighting the framework in which the sustainability of these practices should be assessed.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Mina & Valentina Scariot & Giovanni Peira & Giampiero Lombardi, 2023. "Foraging Practices and Sustainable Management of Wild Food Resources in Europe: A Systematic Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:1299-:d:1181075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dauro Mattia Zocchi & Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco & Paolo Corvo & Andrea Pieroni, 2021. "Recognising, Safeguarding, and Promoting Food Heritage: Challenges and Prospects for the Future of Sustainable Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Christoph Schunko & Christian R. Vogl, 2018. "Is the Commercialization of Wild Plants by Organic Producers in Austria Neglected or Irrelevant?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Łukasz Łuczaj & Monica Wilde & Leanne Townsend, 2021. "The Ethnobiology of Contemporary British Foragers: Foods They Teach, Their Sources of Inspiration and Impact," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Christoph Schunko & Sarah Lechthaler & Christian R. Vogl, 2019. "Conceptualising the Factors that Influence the Commercialisation of Non-Timber Forest Products: The Case of Wild Plant Gathering by Organic Herb Farmers in South Tyrol (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Alessandro Bonadonna & Stefano Duglio & Luigi Bollani & Giovanni Peira, 2022. "Mountain Food Products: A Cluster Analysis Based on Young Consumers’ Perceptions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Giulia Mattalia & Renata Sõukand & Paolo Corvo & Andrea Pieroni, 2020. "Wild Food Thistle Gathering and Pastoralism: An Inextricable Link in the Biocultural Landscape of Barbagia, Central Sardinia (Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-23, June.
    7. Jonah L. Landor-Yamagata & Ingo Kowarik & Leonie K. Fischer, 2018. "Urban Foraging in Berlin: People, Plants and Practices within the Metropolitan Green Infrastructure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-23, June.
    8. Alice Stiletto & Samuele Trestini, 2021. "Factors behind consumers' choices for healthy fruits: a review of pomegranate and its food derivatives," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-27, December.
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    1. Meike Rombach & Julio Botero & David L. Dean, 2023. "Should I Go Back to the Roots to Obtain My Food? Understanding Key Factors Driving U.S. Consumers’ Preferences for Food Foraging over Buying and Growing Food," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-12, October.

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