What we do

THE CHALLENGE

The primary challenge facing the MONALISA project is addressing the complex issue of land degradation and desertification (LDD) in Mediterranean drylands, which are under increasing climatic pressure and have limited adaptive capacity. The project must navigate diverse socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural constraints to identify tailored, scalable solutions that promote sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration. Additionally, MONALISA needs to ensure the integration of scientific knowledge with local action through stakeholder collaboration, while leveraging advanced digital tools and innovations to monitor and address LDD. This closely aligns with the goals outlined in the EU’s Sustainable Development Agenda, specifically SDG 15, which emphasizes the need to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,” combat desertification, and halt land degradation. The project’s focus on local innovation, interdisciplinary research, and stakeholder collaboration echoes the agenda’s call for partnerships and integrated approaches to sustainable land management (paragraph 33 of the 2030 Agenda). By supporting the EU’s “Soil Deal for Europe” initiative, MONALISA directly contributes to the broader mission of reversing land degradation and fostering resilience through sustainable practices through Case Study locations.

MONALISA Primary Objective

Identify and promote innovative, tailored solutions to prevent and reverse LDD in European and Mediterranean drylands. The project aims to provide a methodological framework to assess and monitor LDD risk while enhancing soil productivity across diverse land uses, including agriculture and agroforestry. MONALISA integrates scientific knowledge, local practices, advanced digital systems, artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies. The project addresses the “last mile” challenge by fostering collaboration between researchers, policy-makers, and land managers to ensure the adoption and scalability of these solutions.

MONALISA DSS & BUILDING BLOCKS

The Decision Support System (DSS) in the MONALISA project is a multi-modular, practice-oriented system composed of several web-based applications that include 4 specialized modules, each focused on key agricultural practices: improving fertilization with organic fertilizers, managing irrigation and water harvesting, innovative grazing systems, and restoring natural habitats like grasslands. This tool will help farmers and policymakers make informed decisions to combat land degradation and desertification (LDD). The DSS will offer valuable insights through predictive models and key indicators. The platform will feature a user-friendly interface tailored to both policymakers and end-users, with the potential to incorporate existing applications for a seamless experience in LDD monitoring and mitigation. Six Case studies will test and validate the approach for broader impact.

Block #1

Integrated Monitoring System: Soil, Water, and Vegetation Health

Block #1

Integrated system to monitor and assess soil, water, and vegetation health. This system will provide insights into current land use and management, helping to mitigate degradation.

Block #2

Data Supply Chain and Decision Support System (DSS): Advanced Land Management Tools

Block #2

State-of-the-art digital tools, including a data supply chain and DSS, to provide innovative solutions for land degradation and soil health management.

Block #3

Stakeholder Engagement: Co-Creation and Knowledge Sharing

Block #3

Fostering stakeholder collaboration, including researchers, policymakers, and land managers, to co-create practical solutions for land management and desertification prevention.

Block #4

Future Projections: Climate-Resilient Land Management

Block #4

Our approach engages stakeholders to co-design climate-resilient strategies for land use, with an emphasis on combating desertification and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Block #5

Cross-Border Cooperation: Sustainable Land Restoration

Block #5

Our team examines cross-border land management policies and legal frameworks, working with partners across Europe and the Mediterranean to share sustainable land restoration techniques.

Block #6

Economic Incentives: Supporting Sustainable Land Practices

Block #6

MONALISA explores economic incentives for landowners and farmers to adopt sustainable land management practices, driving long-term environmental and economic benefits.

MONALISA Results

The MONALISA project delivered significant contributions toward combating land degradation and desertification (LDD) across European and Mediterranean drylands. The project results range from methodological frameworks and tools to practical solutions implemented in case study areas. MONALISA facilitated the development of new indicators, management scenarios, and technological innovations such as AI algorithms and decision support systems (DSS). It also created extensive capacity-building initiatives, engaging stakeholders, scientists, and land managers while advancing policy recommendations and commercial exploitation strategies.

The expected outcomes of the MONALISA project include a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and climatic drivers, extent, and impacts of various types of land degradation, such as water scarcity, vegetation loss, and soil erosion, in both natural and agricultural systems of arid and increasingly arid areas. This knowledge, accurately measured at relevant scales and tied to specific land uses, is shared widely among key stakeholders. Additionally, the project demonstrates the economic viability and environmental effectiveness of solutions for desertification prevention and land restoration, including soil protection, water retention, biodiversity preservation, and increased land resilience to drought. Land managers in desertification-prone areas will gain enhanced access to these context-specific solutions and the conditions under which they are effective. Furthermore, sustainable soil and water management practices will expand, improving moisture retention and soil organic matter management across diverse land-use types and regional contexts.

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