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Evaluation and conservation of local genetic resources of the domestic honey bee populations is important, especially in regions with high diversity levels as well as high honey bee colony density. Greece is rich in honey bee biodiversity, hosting several subspecies, with the status of them being, though, doubtful. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the genetic relationships of both stationary and movable honey bee populations, originating from many location throughout Greece. Two molecular markers were utilized, namely, the conserved mitochondrial COI gene and the highly variable complementary sex determination (CSD) gene. Samples were collected from nine distant populations: eight populations from colonies that followed the traditional stationary beekeeping model and one following the modern migratory beekeeping model type, where the hives are transferred from place to place according to the season. Regardless the beekeeping model, all populations were characterized by sufficient genetic diversity indicating no signs of inbreeding or any bottleneck effects. Nevertheless, genetic differentiation and phylogenetic analysis in comparison with haplotypes obtained from GenBank revealed a genetic admixture pattern suggesting that movement causes genetic homogeneity, occasionally in the stable reared populations as well. Interestingly, two populations, namely, Kastoria and Protokklisi, belonging to A. m. macedonica population, were significantly differentiated, supporting the maintenance of their genetic integrity. Unfortunately, on the other hand, genetic structure of the populations from Crete (Sasalos population) provided evidence that the indigenous breed from the island, A. m. adami, has probably gone extinct. Future management strategies should focus on the conservation of the local genetic resources in which distinct genetic identity has been sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike the conservation of wild plants and animals, which is a global policy issue, the conservation of locally cultivated plant varieties and indigenous breeds of farm animals is largely dependent on the farmers’ choice to exploit them. This choice is subsequently influenced by consumer perceptions. As various local genetic resources of local plant varieties and farm animal breeds are of low productivity, they are not preferred by farmers and are therefore at risk of extinction. Consumer perceptions of food products originating from local genetic resources play a crucial role in the conservation of agrobiodiversity and sustainability of the primary sector, particularly in rural areas where short food supply chains can be more easily developed. The present study investigated consumer knowledge and opinions regarding products from local indigenous genetic resources in a rural area of particular agricultural importance : Western Macedonia, Greece. According to the findings, consumers have positive perceptions concerning local plant varieties and indigenous farm animal breeds, indicating their willingness to pay, but highlighting the requirement for reliable labeling. Interestingly, although Greece has a great diversity of indigenous farm animals, the public in the research area is only familiar with local plant varieties. Factors such as age, income and education level show a positive correlation with awareness for sustainability and conservation of local genetic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural technology integration has become a key strategy for attaining agricultural sustainability. This study examined the integration of technology in agricultural practices towards agricultural sustainability, using Greece as a case study. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 240 farmers and agriculturalists in Greece. The results showed a significant positive effect of technology integration on agricultural sustainability, with p-values indicating strong statistical relevance (types of technology used: p = 0.003; factors influencing technology adoption: p = 0.001; benefits of technology integration: p = 0.021). These results highlight the significant effects that cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and precision agriculture have on improving resource efficiency, lowering environmental effects, and raising agricultural yields. Our findings cast doubt on the conventional dependence on intensive, resource-depleting farming techniques and point to a move toward more technologically advanced, sustainable approaches. This research advances the conversation on sustainable agricultural practices by showcasing how well technology integration may improve sustainability results in Greek agriculture. The study emphasizes the significance of infrastructure investment, supporting legislation, and farmer education in order to facilitate the adoption of agricultural technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of a plant's pollen components can be used to establish its geographical provenance, while also providing insights into the diet and foraging preferences of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). The diversity and amount of pollen represent crucial factors for pollinators. Here, we identified plant species visited by honeybees by analyzing the pollen pellets collected from honeybees in Kastoria, Greece. The results indicate that pollen from different periods was identified by means of floral composition. An interesting observation is that all identified plants belonged to different genera. Among the identified plants, native ones, such as the Macedonian pine, Pinus peuce, present a distinct foraging profile for local honeybees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of rearing indigenous animal breeds and cultivating local plant varieties is extremely high in terms of regional economy and heritage preservation. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the preferences and opinions of consumers in Western Macedonia regarding local varieties and indigenous breeds. For this purpose, an appropriate questionnaire was designed and distributed to a sample of 80 consumers from Western Macedonia. The questions combined the demographic, psychographic and institutional characteristics of consumers. According to our findings, most participants recognize the importance of the conservation of indigenous animal breeds and local plant varieties as well as the products derived from them. Additionally, a large percentage showed a preference for these products for the purpose of supporting the local economy. Nevertheless, particularly for indigenous animal breeds, despite the recognition of their high value and need for conservation, only a small proportion of the participants could name some of the indigenous breeds correctly. Conversely, this was not observed concerning local plant varieties, of which participants were more aware. Thus, better promotion and overall better marketing could enhance the recognition of these resources, emphasizing their high value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, farmers have been confronted with numerous challenges namely, climatechange and the subsequent requirements to comply with environmental standards, continuoustechnological change, and the need to adapt it, adjust, and remain competitive. The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic hardship it brought about, followed by the current energy crisis, make it imperative to address issues of competitiveness and efficiency of farm units. Theseunfavorable developments particularly affect mountainous and disadvantaged rural areassuch as the Region of Western Macedonia in Greece. Furthermore, the decarbonizationprocess that this region is undergoing, leads to a period of uncertainty, especially in relationto employment. The cultivation of vineyards and wine production are dominant economicactivities with Xinomavro being the main grape for wine variety. The efficiency of grape-producing farms are considered important for the whole wine supply chain. The objective of this paper is to estimate the technical and scale efficiency of wine-related agricultural firms in the region of Western Macedonia, by applying the DEA methodology. An output-oriented empirical model was applied for the estimation of technical and scale efficiency of farms producing grapes for wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the changes in the structural, economic and managerial characteristics of dairy cow farms during their shift towards a new business model that operates under a highly intensified system. Based on farm accounting data from Greek dairy farms for the 2004–2017 period, the main technical and financial indicators are estimated and compared to provide a clear picture of the structural adjustment of the dairy cow sector during the last two decades. The outcomes and the implications described herein are relevant for specialized dairy farms in most European countries. The results indicate that modern farms breed a larger number of cows, achieve a higher milk yield, rely on high compound feed intakes and operate under an intensive pattern. This trend is even more evident in larger farms with an entrepreneurial nature, whose structural adjustments occurred in a more concise and effective manner. The latter benefited from a downward shift in their long-term average cost curves and the resulting economies of scale, achieving reasonable gross margins despite the ever-increasing feeding costs. Nowadays, the European dairy cow sector faces major economic, social and environmental challenges that must be properly addressed to secure its survival. The findings of this study provide insights concerning the efficient financial management of dairy farms that can support the development of strategies and policy recommendations that will enhance the resilience and sustainability of the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to review the literature on the functioning of short value chains and public perceptions regarding indigenous farm animal breeds (IFABs), local plant varieties (LPVs), and their products. Our work mainly concerns Greece, providing additional concrete examples from the wider Balkan area, which is characterized by high agrobiodiversity and richness in various IFAB and LPV, enhanced by the extensive farming systems that still operate in many parts of the area. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature search of recent relevant studies was performed, followed by a description of their results and conclusions, as well as proposed measures and policies for the conservation and utilization of biodiversity in agricultural and livestock systems. According to our findings, the Balkan region is characterized by a great wealth of local plant varieties and indigenous breeds of farm animals, which is largely recognized by consumers, who would, however, recommend stronger eco-labeling of local agricultural products. Similar data are observed in Greece, which are reinforced by the Mediterranean climatic environment. NGO organizations occasionally play an important role in promoting local agricultural products and creating awareness about the need to preserve local breeds and plant varieties. Finally, the recognition, certification, and measurements carried out by local authorities, as well as EU regulations, are of great importance in highlighting the value of agrobiodiversity from a sustainable point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an approach for identifying and evaluating Landsense ecology and Landsenseology. The case study focuses on proper management of land uses in the wider area of Florina in Greece and on improving the inhabitants' quality of life. The two novel concepts are associated with the preservation and further improvement of living conditions in the city. The carrier that is used is the land coverage of the wider area of the city. The methodological approach relies on ecosystem services derived from land cover. The aim is to describe the spatial distribution of basic ecosystem services, their interactions and to investigate whether they generate statistical correlations with various characteristics of the city. An analysis of twelve variables is carried out based on a hectare scale that covers the city and its surrounding area. The adopted scale is very large for such research and the relationships between variables are explored with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results reveal that the distribution of variables is determined by current social conditions, existing ecological structures and by past decisions. The outcome indicates that PCA can be an important tool that enables speedy processing of large quantities of data concurrently. The relationship between sustainable development and ecosystem services is analyzed in a different way and is projected into the future. This is effectively achieved by the validation of the thematic intervention routes. It is the first time the terms Landsense ecology and Landsenseology are used in Greece in order to explore a specific problem and provide appropriate answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peri-urban and urban green are considered among the basic priorities of the local government's regional policy agenda, in line with the principles of spatial planning. This agenda is promoted at both the national and European levels through a variety of technical and institutional measures. Green spaces in urban and suburban areas are directly linked to the quality of life of urban residents and their environment. In this context, the purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the characteristics and factors that influence the residents of a small Greek city in terms of the value they attach to urban and suburban green spaces. These factors are identified through the residents' willingness to pay (WTP) using the contingent valuation method (CVM). In general, the analysis aims to document the value of environmental economic methods as a tool in the management of natural heritage. According to the research, income and knowledge of environmental issues (global and local) as well as the benefits of green spaces (urban and suburban) are the key factors that drive residents to place a higher value on them. Future work may explore whether or how the COVID-19 pandemic affected city residents' willingness to pay for green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last ten years have witnessed an increase in publications focusing on bioeconomy as a proposal to confront the global challenges of climate change, depletion of non-renewable resources and ecosystem degradation. This paper investigates the scientific literature on issues related agricultural bioeconomy by applying a bibliometric network analysis. Bibliometric analysis is applied to the publications of the Scopus database during the period 2010–2020 in order to provide an overview of the main aspects that characterize agricultural bioeconomy. The results showed that out of a total of 1100 scientific papers, only 2.45% were published in 2010, while the corresponding share in 2020 was 20.81%. In the five years of 2016–2020, cumulatively, 70.63% of the publications were made, showing the dynamic evolution of bioeconomy. In addition, out of 85 countries in total, Germany and Italy are the two countries with most publications, while the fragmentation of research is evident with the creation of two main nodes, the European and the American. Moreover, keyword analysis showed that biomass and sustainability are two main recurring concepts, confirming that, currently, bioeconomy operates at three different levels: energy demand, land demand, and governance. It is apparent that to boost the development of agricultural bioeconomy, the following aspects should be assessed: the effective use of resources, an understanding of the key drivers of agricultural bioeconomy, and a clear perception of their associations. There is still no consensus as to which are the key factors that will accelerate its sustainable development. Our pursuit is to use the tools of bibliometric analysis to reach more critical conclusions regarding the agricultural bioeconomy, rather than approach it in a static way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]