Adaptation Strategies of Sustainable Agriculture to Climate Change and Land Use

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land–Climate Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 538

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Regional and Cross Border Development, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Interests: sustainable development; bioeconomy; strategy; policies; sustainability; rural development; circular economy; circular bioeconomy; agriculture

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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Interests: urban and peri-urban greening; natural heritage; regional development of mountain and semi-mountain areas; sustainable small cities; sustainable development; environmental economy; ecosystem services; land use; climate change mitigation; decarbonization; delignification; coal transition; disaster risk reduction; civil protection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Strategies for adapting sustainable agriculture to climate change and land use include a range of approaches, technologies, and policies that aim to maintain agricultural production and environmental sustainability while addressing the impacts of climate change and land use change. These strategies include the use of farming techniques that reduce water dependence, improve soil fertility, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the integration of precision technologies such as sensors, drones, and satellites to better manage crops. At the same time, they build on the principles of climate-smart agriculture by adapting crop varieties, using climate-resilient seeds, and reducing energy use and are accompanied by policies and incentives that support farmers through financing, training, and improving access to innovative technologies. Climate change and changes in land use pose significant challenges for agricultural sustainability, food security, and the conservation of the natural environment.

In this Special Issue, we are interested in contributions focusing on strategies, policies, and technological solutions that enhance the resilience of agricultural systems while maintaining their economic, social, and environmental sustainability through either empirical research or conceptual/theoretical works, examining any key processes, including, but not limited to, the following:

  1. Strategies for adapting agriculture to climate change.
  2. Precision technologies and digital tools for sustainable farm management.
  3. Impact of land use change on agricultural production and biodiversity.
  4. Climate-smart agriculture.
  5. The role of the circular economy and bioeconomy in agriculture.
  6. Policies and practices to enhance the resilience of rural communities.

Contributions on the integration of renewable energy sources in agriculture, agroecology, and traditional agricultural practices, financial tools, support policies, and farmer education and information are also highly welcome.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Christina-Ioanna Papadopoulou
Dr. Dimitrios Kalfas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • sustainable agriculture
  • climate change
  • land use
  • precision agriculture
  • agroecology
  • biodiversity

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 882 KiB  
Article
Spatial Variations in Perceptions of Decarbonization Impacts and Public Acceptance of the Bioeconomy in Western Macedonia
by Christina-Ioanna Papadopoulou, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Dimitrios Kalfas, Efstratios Loizou and Fotios Chatzitheodoridis
Land 2025, 14(8), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081533 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 20
Abstract
This study examines the regional disparities in public perceptions of decarbonization and the acceptance of the bioeconomy within Western Macedonia, a Greek region undergoing structural economic change. While the environmental benefits of decarbonization, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, are [...] Read more.
This study examines the regional disparities in public perceptions of decarbonization and the acceptance of the bioeconomy within Western Macedonia, a Greek region undergoing structural economic change. While the environmental benefits of decarbonization, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, are widely acknowledged, perceptions of economic and social outcomes, including investments, new business development, and policy support, vary significantly across sub-regions. To this end, a structured survey was conducted among 765 residents, utilizing Likert-scale items to assess attitudes, with demographic data providing a contextual framework. Statistical analyses, incorporating techniques such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis, and multiple regression, were employed to explore spatial variations and identify the primary drivers of bioeconomy acceptance. The results indicate that perceived government action, visible investment, new enterprises, and a positive view of public sentiment are all significant predictors of acceptance, with institutional support showing the strongest influence. The findings reveal that certain areas feel less engaged in the transition, expressing skepticism about its benefits, while others report more optimism. This disparity in perception underscores the necessity for targeted policy interventions to ensure inclusive and equitable participation. The study emphasizes the necessity for regionally responsive governance, enhanced communication strategies, and tangible local development initiatives to cultivate public trust and support. The study makes a significant contribution to the broader discourse on just transitions by emphasizing the role of place-based perceptions in shaping sustainable change. Full article
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