The contribution of biodiversity-friendly farming at landscape scale to the conservation of beneficial arthropods in a traditional olive agroecosystem

The traditional olive-growing landscape is a dynamic socio-ecological system characterized by diverse farming practices ranging from traditional low-intensity methods to modern high-density systems. This thesis investigates the ecological and agricultural challenges associated with low-input Mediterranean olive systems, focusing on functional arthropod biodiversity. Through a combination of literature review, meta-analytical synthesis, and field studies, the research explores the impacts of landscape-scale management, habitat structure, and land abandonment on functional arthropods in Mediterranean hilly marginal olive groves. Key findings from previous studies highlight that landscape heterogeneity enhances pollinators and predators but has variable effects on pests, emphasizing the importance of a nuanced approach to agricultural landscapes. In this thesis, traditional olive groves were found to support high biodiversity, offering a potential model for sustainable and diverse agroecosystems. Habitat-specific dynamics significantly influences pollinator communities. Land abandonment presents both challenges and opportunities for soil-dwelling predators, requiring strategic interventions to balance conservation and agricultural ecosystem services. This research underscores the need for integrated management strategies that harmonize functional biodiversity conservation with agricultural activities, offering insights for policies and practices to sustain Mediterranean agroecosystems under intensifying environmental and socio-economic pressures.