A participatory agrobiodiversity conservation approach in the oases: Community actions for the promotion of sustainable development in fragile areas
- Autori: Peano C.; Caron S.; Mahfoudhi M.; Zammel K.; Zaidi H.; Sottile F.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2021
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista
- Parole Chiave: Agrobiodiversity, Ecosystems, Oasis, Socio-ecological systems, Sustainable development
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/517463
Abstract
Rural development policies today include significant directions towards ecological transition and sustainability. Biodiversity plays a fundamental role, especially in fragile environments. The North African oases, for example, are socio-ecological structures with delicate balances in terms of natural resources, where the activation of participatory conservation approaches appears today to be very useful, aiming at long-lasting results. This type of approach was applied in the oasis of El Hamma, in Tunisia. The socio-ecological analysis was carried out through semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders of the oasis. The results were used to activate focus groups and to identify, in a participatory way, a conservation strategy for the species and the varieties at risk of erosion or disappearing. From this research, a wide spread of non-traditional date palm and vegetables emerged in a very diverse social context. These products were recognized as highly significant in terms of traditional knowledge by all stakeholders. Therefore, a Maison des semences and a public conservation center for perennial species were created, representing the first step of a participatory conservation model. Seeds of 11 traditional annual species, 10 date palm varieties and, in perspective, many other fruit species and vegetable varieties have been introduced into conservation.