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Biocultural Diversity at Risk Amidst and Beyond Overtourism: The Decline in Wild Green Foraging in Corfu over the Past 50 Years

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  • Mousaab Alrhmoun

    (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
    Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Naji Sulaiman

    (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy)

  • Irfan Ullah

    (Department of Molecular Wood Biotechnology and Technical Mycology, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Renata Sõukand

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics, and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30174 Venezia, Italy)

  • Andrea Pieroni

    (University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
    Department of Medical Analysis, Tishk International University, Erbil 4001, Iraq)

Abstract

This study focuses on the interplay between ecological, demographic, and developmental factors while examining the changes in wild greens (WGs) uses in Corfu from 1970 to 2024. A comparative analysis of historical and contemporary datasets reveals a decline in WG species from 58 (belonging to 47 genera and 18 families) in 1971 to 42 species (37 genera, 16 families) in 2024. The reduction in cropland and, therefore, the herbaceous vegetation has significantly contributed to this loss, alongside urbanisation, demographic shifts, and the rise of tourism-driven economies. Changes in climatic factors, like a 1.5 °C increase in temperature and reduced rainfall, further affect plant biodiversity. Shifts in the occupations of local populations (from farming to touristic services), the declining role of women-centred foraging, and the pervasive influence of formal botanical education may have altered the cultural landscape of WG use. This study underlines the urgent need to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss and sustain cultural heritage.

Suggested Citation

  • Mousaab Alrhmoun & Naji Sulaiman & Irfan Ullah & Renata Sõukand & Andrea Pieroni, 2025. "Biocultural Diversity at Risk Amidst and Beyond Overtourism: The Decline in Wild Green Foraging in Corfu over the Past 50 Years," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:654-:d:1616217
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maurizio Marchi & Carlotta Ferrara & Rita Biasi & Rosanna Salvia & Luca Salvati, 2018. "Agro-Forest Management and Soil Degradation in Mediterranean Environments: Towards a Strategy for Sustainable Land Use in Vineyard and Olive Cropland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-8, July.
    2. Áron József Borda & Balázs Sárvári & Jeremiás Máté Balogh, 2023. "Generation Change in Agriculture: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, April.
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