From November 4th to 6th, 2024, the LIFE PRIMED Final Conference, titled “Driving Forward the Restoration Movement of Mediterranean Habitats”, took place in Drama, Greece. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss restoration, management, and conservation strategies for priority Mediterranean coastal habitats.
Representing the MONALISA project, Michalis Probonas from the University of Crete – Natural History Museum of Crete (UoC – NHMC) presented “The Restoration Plan for Asterousia Mountain Range, Crete Island, Greece”, highlighting the innovative approaches MONALISA is implementing to combat land degradation and desertification (LDD) in Mediterranean drylands.
MONALISA’s Contribution to Mediterranean Habitat Restoration
The Asterousia Mountain Range in Crete, Greece, is a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve facing significant desertification risks due to climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, and human pressures. As part of MONALISA, restoration efforts in the region focus on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to improve ecosystem resilience and reverse degradation.
The presentation emphasized the need for:
- Sustainable land management practices, including agroforestry and conservation agriculture.
- Soil erosion control measures, such as traditional dry-stone terraces and grazing management.
- Community and stakeholder involvement, ensuring local engagement in restoration efforts.
A Collaborative Approach to Desertification Prevention
The conference, promoted by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (HSPN) and co-financed through the LIFE Programme of the European Union, provided a platform to exchange knowledge on how Mediterranean landscapes can recover from degradation while ensuring socio-economic sustainability.
By integrating MONALISA’s methodologies and insights into the broader European restoration movement, the project strengthens its mission to provide innovative, scalable solutions that combat and reverse land degradation and desertification across Mediterranean drylands.