Mediterranean’s abandoned olive groves threaten biodiversity and cultural heritage, but restoration solutions emerge

Across Mediterranean Europe, a quiet crisis is unfolding in the countryside: millions of olive groves are being abandoned, creating cascading effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and centuries-old cultural traditions. In Italy alone, approximately 440 million olive trees now sit neglected, according to Federica Romano, program coordinator and UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes at the University of Florence.

The decline stems from multiple converging factors, including plant diseases, rural depopulation, and climate change impacts. As younger generations migrate to cities, fewer people remain in rural areas to maintain these labor-intensive groves. The ecological consequences are severe—olive groves support diverse Mediterranean wildlife and serve as crucial habitat corridors. Culturally, the loss is equally devastating, as olive trees have symbolized peace, resilience, and continuity across European civilizations for millennia, appearing prominently in religious contexts, art, and historical narratives.

However, innovative solutions are emerging to combat this crisis. Organizations like Abandoned Grove have created adoption programs where individuals can sponsor an olive tree and receive olive oil in return, providing both funding and community engagement. Romano advocates for expanding tourism-based restoration initiatives and implementing agroforestry practices that combine traditional cultivation with modern conservation techniques.

The path forward requires a comprehensive approach combining tree adoption programs, economic incentives for farmers, rural tourism development, educational training, and digital monitoring systems. These strategies could help preserve not only Europe’s olive-growing heritage but also protect the biodiversity and cultural landscapes that depend on these ancient groves.