PhD in Environmental Management and Policy, Professor at the Department of Geography, University of the Aegean. Director of PrecFarm: Laboratory of Rural Geography and Precision Agriculture Systems.
CV:
Thanasis Kizos is a Professor of Rural Geography at the University of the Aegean and Head of the Department since 2020. His research focuses on rural development, land management, and precision agriculture systems. He has extensively published on agricultural landscape change, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and biodiversity impacts. He leads the PrecFarm laboratory and participates in major European research projects on sustainable land use and cultural landscapes. With a background in agronomy and environmental policy, he contributes to both academic research and applied policy. He is also the author of the book “Rural Development: Concepts, Practices and Policies” (2018).
Presentation title:
Olive plantations and the environment: Adapting to new realities
Presentation abstract:
Olive plantations in the Mediterranean act as semi-rural ecosystems, supporting biodiversity while providing agricultural services. This presentation shares long-term research from Lesvos, examining soil health, plant and insect diversity, and pest management. Findings highlight the potential of olive groves to offer ecological benefits beyond olive oil production, emphasizing their role in climate adaptation and conservation, and envisioning a future where their environmental and ecological value is fully recognized.