Traditional landscapes in mediterranean areas: Environmental protection vs economic growth

For a long time, Mediterranean Europe has played a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, through landscapes shaped by human activities developing resilient systems despite ongoing anthropogenic impact. Traditional land-use systems, like mountainous terraced landscapes, faced abandonment and degradation despite their historical relevance. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes these terraced systems as "evolution living" landscapes, contributing to socioeconomic well-being and improving local environmental conditions. In this perspective, integrating traditional knowledge with modern approaches supports sustainable land-use scenarios. Various national and international interventions aim at preserving these landscapes, particularly in Italy, where complex terraced systems provide diverse ecosystem services, including the maintenance of cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the lacking comprehensive, national strategies require a thorough inventory, scientifically grounded monitoring, and holistic understanding of the interplay between ecological and socioeconomic factors. Modern conservation approaches should favor socioeconomic (sustainable) land-use systems and protect high-value ecosystems. The proposed work adopts a comprehensive approach, including a countrywide inventory, a pragmatic monitoring scheme, and sustainable development scenarios to promote effective, sustainable rural development while preserving cultural heritage in Italy.