Agroecological transitions in Sicily : enhancing biodiversity and resilience through a bioregional strategic food system framework

Abstract

The global food system confronts escalating threats from climate change, environmental degradation, and market instability, necessitating a profound shift toward sustainable and resilient agricultural paradigms. Industrial agriculture has long dominated in Sicily, resulting in significant declines in biodiversity, soil fertility, and socio-economic stability (Guarnaccia et al., 2020). Monoculture practices, excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the gradual loss of traditional farming knowledge have dismantled the diverse agroecosystems that once flourished across this Mediterranean island. As a recognized biodiversity hotspot, Sicily faces intensifying vulnerabilities, including desertification, water scarcity, and extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts and flash floods (FAO, 2018). These pressures jeopardize both ecological equilibrium and the rich cultural heritage tied to the Mediterranean diet, acknowledged by UNESCO as an intangible cultural asset integral to human identity, nutrition, and community well-being.