Mike DiGirolamo: Can you talk about the cultural significance of olive groves? So what’s so special about them, not just in Italy as a cultural icon, but for the whole of Europe and the rest of the world?

Federica Romano: Olive groves hold a deep cultural significance that goes far beyond their role in agriculture and food production. Across Europe and the Mediterranean in particular, olive trees have symbolized peace, resilience, and continuity for thousands of years, appearing in religious contexts but also in art and historical narratives. Their history stretches back to around 4,000 years before Christ, spreading first across the Middle East, including places like Syria, then across Egypt, and later through Greek and Roman societies. In many regions, and in particular contexts like Italy, olive groves shape entire landscapes and local identities. They reflect traditional knowledge and farming practices that include intangible heritage, meaning knowledge that has been passed down for centuries. For this reason, olive groves are not only productive systems, but also cultural landscapes with global symbolism and value.

Mike: Welcome to the Mongabay Newscast. I’m your host, Mike DiGirolamo, bringing you weekly conversations with experts, authors, scientists, and activists working on the front lines of conservation, shining a light on some of the most pressing issues facing our planet, and holding people in power to account. This podcast is edited on Gadigal land. Today on the newscast, we speak with Federica Romano, the program coordinator of the UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes at the University of Florence. Romano joins me today to discuss an emerging problem in Europe, the degradation and abandonment of olive groves. This is a complex topic that spans cultural and socioeconomic issues, being exacerbated by ecological factors and human-induced climate change. The consequences for biodiversity and wildlife in Europe, its culture, and not to mention olive oil production, are alarming. All of this is further exacerbated by recent rural depopulation, where there are increasingly fewer people in rural areas to tend olive groves and take care of them. However, Romano outlines many solutions that can be implemented now, some of which are already underway, such as adoption schemes where organizations allow people to adopt an olive tree and get a liter of olive oil in return. But other schemes, which she says need urgent attention, include the implementation of economic incentives, tourism-based restoration, and of course, agroecology. If you ever find yourself in the grocery store looking at a bottle of olive oil and wondering if there’s anything you can do to help the situation, there is, and Romano explains. Hi Federica, thank you for speaking with us. Welcome to the Mongabay Newscast.

Federica: Hi, good morning. Good morning everyone. I’m happy to be here. Thank you.

Mike: First, Federica, can you tell our audience what makes olive groves important and special? Do they help the environment? Do they capture rainwater? Are they good for biodiversity, perhaps birds or other animals rely on them for habitat, hunting, or nesting? Can you basically give us the rundown, why are these olive groves so critical?

Federica: Of course, yes. Olive groves are unique systems and a biocultural heritage that combine agricultural production with important ecosystem services, among which we have ecological functions. Structurally, they help regulate water cycles by improving rainwater infiltration and reducing soil erosion. This is especially true in Mediterranean landscapes, which are prone to drought and extreme rainfall. From a biodiversity perspective, traditional olive groves in particular support and maintain agrobiodiversity, meaning the genetic diversity of olive varieties. They can host a wide range of species, including birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects at various levels, which use olive groves for nesting, foraging, and other forms of shelter. The presence, for instance, of ground vegetation and the overall tree structure in the grove is particularly important for maintaining habitats and biodiversity. We have examples from the biodiversity point of view among the animals that we can find in these groves: at the bird level, species that nest in olive trees, we have blackbirds, we have bats, small rodents, and other species which rely on olive groves. So it’s really important to keep this biological heritage.

Mike: And aside from that, aside from the biocultural heritage, can you talk about the cultural significance of olive groves? So what’s so special about them, not just in Italy as a cultural icon, but for the whole of Europe and the rest of the world?

Federica: Olive groves hold, as known, a deep cultural significance that goes far beyond their role in agriculture and food production. Across Europe and the Mediterranean in particular, olive trees have symbolized peace, resilience, and continuity through thousands of years, appearing in religious contexts but also in arts and historical narratives. This history goes back to around 4,000 years before Christ, spreading in the Middle East, including Syria, and then across Egypt, and also through the Greeks and Romans. In many regions and contexts like Italy, they shape entire landscapes and local identities. They reflect traditional knowledge and farming practices, which also include intangible heritage, so knowledge that is passed down over centuries. For this reason, olive groves are not only productive systems, as I said, but also cultural landscapes with a global symbolism and value.

Mike: So there’s this term, rural depopulation, and I’d like you to explain this term to our audience. What is rural depopulation and why does it pose a threat to olive groves?

Federica: Rural depopulation refers to the phenomenon of long-term decline of population in rural areas, which normally refers to inland, marginal areas. It is often driven by economic pressures, limited services, and the migration of younger generations to urban centers. This process is a serious threat to olive groves because many of them, especially traditional low-intensity olive-growing systems, which are often located in hilly and mountainous areas, and this is particularly true for Italy, rely on continuous human management, which is no longer present in these areas. So due to depopulation, the management is not ensured anymore. When olive groves are abandoned, trees become less productive, the landscape degrades, and risks such as wildfires and soil erosion increase. Besides biodiversity loss, they become a reality. In this sense, rural depopulation is not only a social issue, but it affects the environment and cultural degradation as well.

Mike: Just in Italy alone, it appears that there’s about 440 million abandoned olive trees. So does this problem present similarly in other nations, with other abandoned orchards and farms, like Spain for example?

Federica: Yes, this abandonment of olive groves is surely not unique to Italy. We have similar trends in other major olive countries like Spain. In some Spanish regions in particular, like Murcia and the Comunidad Valenciana, there are tens of thousands of hectares of olive groves which are being left uncultivated or abandoned, or they are turned into other land uses, for instance solar panels. So this is a reality and this is a risk affecting Spain as well. Farmers move to cities, and there is also the struggle with low prices of olive oil and low profitability. These are the main threats and the main factors affecting the abandonment of olive groves. In the meantime, research suggests that around 0.3 million hectares of traditional olive groves in particular in Spain are at risk of abandonment, and globally more than 5.5 million hectares of traditional orchards face similar challenges. These are more or less the estimations for the phenomenon. These trends reflect broader rural depopulation and economic pressures across Mediterranean agriculture, and they have to be addressed through creative local efforts, such as tree adoption schemes and rural tourism offers, as solutions designed to bring people and economic activity back into depopulated areas, mostly affecting inland and marginal areas.

Mike: So there are some other environmental factors that are impacting groves. I was wondering if you could talk about the disease that’s impacting these trees, and I believe it’s called Xylella fastidiosa, but please correct me if I mispronounce that. And it first appeared in 2013, I believe. What is this disease and how is it wreaking havoc on olive trees?

Federica: As a premise, olive groves are threatened by several environmental pressures including climate change, droughts, extreme weather events, and the spread of pests and pathogens. One of the most severe threats is indeed Xylella fastidiosa, which is a bacterial disease that was first identified in olive trees in South Italy, more in detail in the Puglia region, in 2013. The bacterium blocks the xylem vessels that transport water and nutrients within the trees, causing leaf scorch, branch dieback, and eventually tree death. Because it is transmitted by insect vectors and has at the moment no definitive cure or solution, Xylella has devastated large areas of olive groves, particularly in the Puglia region and in provinces like Lecce and Brindisi. The impact of this disease goes beyond agriculture, of course, because it fundamentally alters landscapes, ecosystems, and the cultural heritage of this region. We just try to set results, olive trees, so you can imagine the effects of disease. At the moment there is no real solution for this problem, no remedies have been identified so far, except prevention measures. Measures include the control and prevention of the insect vectors, and then replanting or grafting with more resistant varieties of olive trees. These are additional information.

Mike: So there’s also fire risk as well, other than this disease. Fire risk appears to have increased over in Europe over the past decade. There’s contributing factors like you mentioned earlier, such as climate change and also the rural depopulation and poor management of olive groves. Can you talk about the situation facing olive groves and what contributes to their fire risk?

Federica: The risk of wildfires in Europe has increased significantly over the past decade, and olive groves are particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. Several factors contribute to this heightened risk. Climate change has led to higher temperatures and prolonged droughts, so this is for sure something to mention, which dries out both trees and surrounding vegetation. In addition, rural depopulation exacerbates the problem, as abandoned or poorly managed groves accumulate combustible material. Traditional management practices like pruning and undergrowth cleaning are often neglected, increasing the likelihood of fire spreading rapidly, which is the consequence. When fires occur, they do not threaten olive oil production alone, but also damage local ecosystems, biodiversity, and cultural landscapes, making effective management and community engagement in olive groves critical and fundamental.

Mike: Hello listeners, and thanks once again for tuning in, and welcome to the 2026 season of the Mongabay Newscast. As I explained last episode, our survey is still live, so if you haven’t filled it out, I encourage you to do so. You can find the link in the show notes. If you’re curious to catch up on the 2025 episodes and you haven’t listened to them yet, I encourage you to listen to the top 10 most listened-to podcasts from 2025. The link to that is also in the show notes. Thank you so much, and back to the conversation with Federica Romano.

Mike: I want to talk about some solutions to these problems. One being proposed about abandoned olive groves is where an organization is trying to get people to adopt olive trees, like the organization Abandoned Grove. They facilitate olive tree adoptions near Florence, for example, and then people get a liter of olive oil in exchange for each tree they sponsor. Are efforts or solutions like this helpful in your view?

Federica: They might be helpful, and tree adoption programs like Abandoned Grove near Florence, or other experiences like Adotta un Olivo in the Pistoia area, also nearby Florence, offer a creative and meaningful way to tackle the problem of abandoned olive groves. By sponsoring, participants can contribute directly to the care of the tree, from pruning to harvesting, while receiving a tangible reward in the form of olive oil. Beyond the practical benefits, such initiatives foster a deeper connection between people and the landscape, and raise awareness about the ecological and cultural importance of the olive groves. So this is for sure an opportunity. While adoption schemes cannot, of course, solve the structural issues linked to olive growing, like rural depopulation or low income, they are a valuable tool to support local communities and farmers in particular, to promote sustainable practices and help preserve these historic groves for future generations.

Mike: And what about agroforestry? This is a topic that our listeners are really familiar with, but can you describe if there are any agroforestry or agroecology solutions to the olive tree crisis right now, either in practice or yet to be tried, that are really good for the situation?

Federica: Agroforestry and agroecology approaches offer promising solutions to the challenges olive groves are facing. These can involve integrating olive trees with other crops such as legumes or cover plants, which enhance soil fertility and reduce erosion, among other benefits. Creating small wooded areas or hedgerows within olive groves can provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects, boosting overall biodiversity. Agroecological practices including organic soil management, integrated pest control, and efficient irrigation also strengthen the resilience of olive groves against climate stress and disease. Some of these methods are already being applied in the Mediterranean region, but further experimentation and scaling up could significantly benefit both production and the surrounding natural environment, making olive farming more stable long term. We have examples in detail, including intercropping, so olive groves with other crops like legumes, cereals, or aromatic plants, or integrated forestry with livestock and grazing animals, which generate multifunctional systems, integrating ecological, economic, and social services and functions in the same system. One last thing to say, which is important, is that in this context the existence of organizations—like in Italy, the Italian Agroforestry Federation, and in the European context the European Agroforestry Federation—that engage in promoting and transferring agroforestry methods can play a crucial role in hosting and transferring this model of agriculture.

Mike: And Federica, in your opinion, is there a solution not being utilized right now that would really help save olive groves?

Federica: In my view, one of the most effective yet underutilized solutions would be a combination of economic incentives, education and training, and the use of technology. Supporting small-scale producers and private holders financially to maintain, in particular, traditional olive groves would prevent further abandonment. At the same time, engaging local communities, especially younger generations and farmers, through training programs or the acquisition of transversal skills and knowledge, such as tourism and marketing, could create long-term interest and care for trees. This is really needed, in particular in Italy. Moreover, emerging technologies such as drones and digital monitoring systems could help detect early signs of disease or water stress, improving grove management. Finally, an additional point of interest is integration and cooperation, which can help protect local varieties and genetic diversity through strengthening research on the resilience of olive groves globally. Something which I would mention as well, which is quite important from my experience, is the exploitation and exploration of the multifunctionality of olive agriculture, with particular reference to oleotourism. Tourism linked to olive growing could represent an additional income stream for farmers, so this is crucial and might be boosted.

Mike: Those are good thoughts. In the long term though, ideally we would have a rural repopulation of farming communities, right, to take care of olive groves? Or do you think that depopulation is a long-term problem and one that we have to find other solutions for?

Federica: Ideally, a long-term solution would involve the repopulation of rural farming communities, as you say, with people who return to actively manage and care for the olive groves. This would reconnect communities with the land and ensure traditional knowledge is preserved. However, given the ongoing trends in rural depopulation across much of the Mediterranean, it is unlikely that this alone can fully reverse the problem. Therefore, complementary approaches, as I said, are essential: a mix of tree adoption programs, agroecological practices, economic incentives, rural tourism, education and training, digital monitoring. These can support grove management. So by combining social, economic, and environmental strategies, we can maintain the productivity and cultural heritage of olive groves and ensure a long-term vision and maintenance of this heritage.

Mike: Thank you Federica for putting that all into perspective. I’m curious to know if the counterfeiting of olive oil, which is a major problem in Italy and in the European Union, has any intersection with the current olive grove crisis. Is there a connection between the two? Does one problem exacerbate the other? Does this affect the abandonment of olive groves or make the counterfeiting issue even worse? Fill us in on this.

Federica: Yes, there is for sure a clear intersection between olive grove abandonment and olive oil counterfeiting. When traditional groves are neglected, the overall production of high-quality olive oil decreases, which creates market gaps that can be exploited by counterfeiters. Small producers facing economic pressures may struggle to compete, and some may even exit the market entirely, further reducing the supply of genuine olive oil. This situation exacerbates fraud as consumers and distributors turn to cheaper or unverified sources of olive oil products. Solutions rely on strengthening traceability systems, supporting legitimate producers, and maintaining the care of traditional groves, which are crucial steps to address both the ecological crisis and the integrity of the olive oil market.

Mike: Thank you for answering that. I know that’s a tough one. So Federica, for our listeners who might live many thousands of miles away from this crisis, can you explain why all this matters and what exactly they can do about it?

Federica: Sure. Even for listeners who live thousands of miles away, this crisis matters because olive groves are not only agricultural systems, as we said during this interview, but they are reservoirs of biodiversity, they are carbon sinks, and they are living cultural heritage. The decline of these groves has global implications for climate resilience, ecosystem health, and the preservation of ancient landscapes. What individuals can do is support certified products, choose traceable and sustainably produced olive oil, buy olive oil directly from farmers and producers, and from smallholders in particular, participate in tree adoption or sponsorship programs, and support organizations that protect traditional groves. This is a good starting point. Then sharing knowledge and raising awareness about these issues also plays a crucial role. Information and communication is key. In essence, everyone can contribute to preserving these iconic trees and the ecosystems, communities, and culture they support.

Mike: And Federica, is there any website or anything you want to direct our listeners to, to learn more about this issue?

Federica: I can recommend, I work for an association here in Italy which is called “Olive Conservation.” It’s an association including more than 500 towns in Italy, and it is engaged in promoting olive-growing culture in Italy and around the Mediterranean. We as an organization are active on the issue of abandonment and many of the issues we talked about today. So I would recommend following the organization, and of course any other, and as I may send you the link. Moreover, any kind of organization representing producers is a good source of information for this phenomenon and for the whole world of olive growing.

Mike: Federica Romano, thank you so much for joining me today. It’s been a pleasure.

Federica: Thank you so much, Mike. Have a nice day.

Mike: If you want to find out more information on the olive grove crisis situation, you can find links in the show notes. As always, if you’re enjoying the Mongabay Newscast or any of our podcast content and you want to help us out, we encourage you to spread the word about the work we’re doing and tell a friend and leave a review. Word of mouth is the best way to help expand our reach, but you can also support us by becoming a monthly sponsor via our Patreon page at patreon.com/mongabay. Mongabay is a nonprofit news outlet, so even pledging a dollar per month does make a very big difference, and it helps us offset production costs. If you’re a fan of our audio reports from Nature’s Frontline, go to patreon.com/mongabay to learn more and support the Mongabay Newscast. You can also read our news and inspiration from [email protected] or follow us on social media: find Mongabay on LinkedIn at Mongabay News, and on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, Mastodon, Facebook, and TikTok, where our handle is @Mongabay, or on YouTube at Mongabay TV. Thanks as always for listening.