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Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security in Greece Through Agricultural Biodiversity

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  • Efstratios Loizou

    (Department of Management Science and Technology, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos

    (Department of Management Science and Technology, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

  • Stavros Kalogiannidis

    (Department of Business Administration, University of Western Macedonia, 51100 Grevena, Greece)

  • Fotios Chatzitheodoridis

    (Department of Management Science and Technology, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Kalfas

    (Department of Agriculture, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece)

  • George Tzilantonis

    (Department of Management Science and Technology, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

Abstract

This study examined how agricultural biodiversity can build climate change resilience and food security in Greece. The aims of this study were to identify and examine the role of genetic, species, ecosystem, and functional diversity in enhancing agricultural resilience against climate volatility. Data were collected from 384 agricultural specialists in Greece using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey technique. The self-administered questionnaire elicited information on the perceived effectiveness of different types of biodiversity in sustaining yield stability for crops, pest and disease control, soil conservation, and nutrient cycling. The hypotheses of this study were tested using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that genetic diversity decreases crop yield risks, species diversity lowers pest and disease vulnerability, ecosystem diversity impacts to soil and water conservation, and functional diversity can optimize nutrient cycling and ecosystem services. The regression analysis was able to explain 62.1% of the variability in agricultural resilience, underlining the importance of the conservation of biological diversity in the provision of food. This study points to the need for bio-diversity management in agriculture to address the impacts of climate change and support productivity in food production.

Suggested Citation

  • Efstratios Loizou & Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos & Stavros Kalogiannidis & Fotios Chatzitheodoridis & Dimitrios Kalfas & George Tzilantonis, 2025. "Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security in Greece Through Agricultural Biodiversity," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:838-:d:1632633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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