CENT.OLI.MED


With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Community

With the contribution of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Community

Life+ CENT.OLI.MED. – LIFE 07 NAT/IT/000450

Project title and/or acronym: Identification and conservation of the high nature value of ancient olive groves in the Mediterranean region ( CENT.OLI.MED )

Project location: Italy, Crete

Duration: Start: 01/02/2009 - End: 30/04/2012

Project’s implementors:

Coordinating Beneficiary: Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo di Bari (Italy)
Associated Beneficiaries: - Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare (Italy) - Regione Puglia – Assessorato all’Ecologia (Italy) - Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo di Chania (Greece)

Background and Aims: Lack of protection policies for HNVF

Threats: Loss of biodiversity due to intensive agricultural activities. Uprooting of ancient olive trees for ornamental purposes due to the scarce cost-effectiveness of their growing Limited knowledge of the environmental value and cultural heritage of ancient olive groves. Poor information and lack of awareness of stakeholders

General Objective: Designation of ancient olive groves as High Nature Value Farmlands (HNVF), and actions aimed to halt the loss of biodiversity

Specific Objectives:

Identification and assessment of elements characterizing the Mediterranean ancient olive groves as High Nature Value
Farmland Enhancement and protection of the biodiversity in the ancient olive groves (re-naturalization, definition and implementation of Guidelines)
Development and application of an innovative model of Governance
Definition of concerted formulation of common policies for the protection and the enhancement of ancient olive groves in the Mediterranean region
Dissemination

Main activities:

Preliminary study on morpho-genetic and environmental characterization of the biodiversity.
Enhancing biodiversity (floristic, micro-habitats of shrubs, grassland, tree shelter sites and dry stone walls).
Development and implementation of guidelines for the enhancement of biodiversity.
Development of an economic enhancement plan of the ancient olive grove.
Elaboration and implementation of an innovatory governance model.
Elaboration of a Euro-Mediterranean action plan for the protection of ancient olive groves.

Expected results:

Increasing in nesting and population of the investigated reptiles, chiropters, birds and plant species.
Establishment of a collection field of Mediterranean varieties of olive trees (about 300 plants) and annex nursery.
Guidelines.
Economic enhancement plan.
Service Centre equipped with a laboratory, exhibition/service space.
Walking paths in target areas.
Governance model for target areas.
Euro-Mediterranean action plan for the protection of ancient olive groves.
After-LIFE conservation plan.