Vegetos

---

Review Articles | Published: 22 August, 2026

References

---

Adhikari P, Lee YH, Adhikari P, Hong SH, Park Y-S (2022) Climate change-induced invasion risk of ecosystem disturbing alien plant species: An evaluation using species distribution modeling. Front Ecol Evol 10:880987. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.880987


Akbari H, Kurn DM, Bretz SE, Hanford JW (1997) Peak power and cooling energy savings of shade trees. Energy Build 25(2):139–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7788(96)01003-1


do Alho A Ó. P (2013) Gestão do risco de seca no Algarve. Funda-cão para a ciência e a tecnologia, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian


Almutawa AA (2022) Native and xeric plant recommendations for urban landscapes in Kuwait. Technol Hortic 2(1):1–16. https://doi.org/10.48130/TIH-2022-0007


Altman A, Shennan S, Odling-Smee J (2022) Ornamental plant domestication by aesthetics-driven human cultural niche construction. Trends Plant Sci 27(2):124–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2021.09.004


Angelstam P, Mikusi?ski G, Rönnbäck B-I, Östman A, Lazdinis M, Roberge J-M, Arnberg W, Olsson J (2003) Two-dimensional gap analysis: A tool for efficient conservation planning and biodiversity policy implementation. 32(8)


Aronson J, Floret C, Le Floc’h E, Ovalle C, Pontanier R (1993) Restoration and rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid lands. I. a view from the south. Restor Ecol 1(1):8–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-100X.1993.tb00004.x


Arsénio P, Rodríguez-González PM, Bernez I, Dias S, Bugalho F, M. N., Dufour S (2020) Riparian vegetation restoration: Does social perception reflect ecological value? River Res Appl 36(6):907–920. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3514


Benedict ME, McMahon ET (2006) Green infrastructure: linking landscapes and communities. Island


Benvenuti S, Bacci D (2010) Initial agronomic performances of Mediterranean xerophytes in simulated dry green roofs. Urban Ecosyst 13(3):349–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-010-0124-9


Bilgili BC, Sahin S (2013) Evaluation of Urban Green Areas on The City Climate—Case Study of Ataturk Forest Farm. In: International Caucasian Forestry Symposium


Blondel j, Aronson J, Bodiou JY, Boeuf G (2010) The Mediterranean Region: Biological Diversity in Space and Time. Oxford University Press


Bresch C, Mailleret L, Muller MM, Poncet C, Parolin P (2013) Invasive plants in the Mediterranean basin: Which traits do they share? 12


Cameron RWF, Blanuša T, Taylor JE, Salisbury A, Halstead AJ, Henricot B, Thompson K (2012) The domestic garden – Its contribution to urban green infrastructure. Urban Forestry Urban Green 11(2):129–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2012.01.002


Caneva G, Kumbaric A, Savo V, Casalini R (2015) Ecological approach in selecting extensive green roof plants: A data-set of Mediterranean plants. Plant Biosystems - Int J Dealing All Aspects Plant Biology 149(2):374–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2013.819819


Cao Pinna L, Axmanová I, Chytrý M, Malavasi M, Acosta ATR, Giulio S, Attorre F, Bergmeier E, Biurrun I, Campos JA, Font X, Küzmi? F, Landucci F, Marcenò C, Rodríguez-Rojo MP, Carboni M (2021) The biogeography of alien plant invasions in the Mediterranean Basin. J Veg Sci 32(2):e12980. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvs.12980


Çetin N, Mansuro?lu S, Önaç A (2018) Xeriscaping feasibility as an urban adaptationmethod for global warming: a case study from Turkey. Pol J Environ Stud 27(3):1009–1018. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/76678


De Groot RS, Wilson MA, Boumans RMJ (2002) A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services. Ecol Econ 41(3):393–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(02)00089-7


Ding J, Eldridge D (2024) Intensifying aridity induces tradeoffs among biodiversity and ecosystem services supported by trees. Glob Ecol Biogeogr 33(10):e13894. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13894


Donati GFA, Van Den Brandeler F, Fischer M, Molné F, Schenk N, Grünholz M, Bolliger J (2025) Biodiversity conservation in human-dominated landscapes: toward collaborative management of blue–green systems. Conserv Lett 18(1):e13079. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.13079


Duriyaprapan S, Britten EJ (1982) The effects of solar radiation on plant growth, oil yield and oil quality of japanese mint. J Exp Bot 33(6):1319–1324


Elmqvist T, Fragkias M, Goodness J, Güneralp B, Marcotullio PJ, McDonald RI, Parnell S, Schewenius M, Sendstad M, Seto KC, Wilkinson C (eds) (2013) Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities. Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7088-1


Estes M, Quattrochi D, Stasiak E (2003) How its effects can influence environmental decision making in your community. NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server


FAO (2024) AQUASTAT. www.fao.org


Fernández-Cañero R, Ordovás J, Herrera Machuca MÁ (2011) Domestic gardens as water-wise landscapes: a case study in Southwestern Europe. HortTechnology 21(5):616–623. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.21.5.616


Ferrini F, Fini A, Mori J, Gori A (2020) Role of vegetation as a mitigating factor in the urban context. Sustainability 12(10):4247. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104247


Gaertner M, Wilson JRU, Cadotte MW, MacIvor JS, Zenni RD, Richardson DM (2017) Non-native species in urban environments: Patterns, processes, impacts and challenges. Biol Invasions 19(12):3461–3469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1598-7


Garau E, Requena-Mullor JM, Quintas-Soriano C, De Abreu G, Alba-Patiño D, Castro AJ (2025) Where nature is not so green: Exploring perceptions of urban nature in a semi-arid city. Urban Forestry Urban Green 113:129127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129127


Gianguzzi L, Caldarella O, Campisi P, Ravera S, Scalenghe R, Venturella G (2024) Plant diversity in old-growth woods: The case of the forest edges of the Favorita Park in Palermo (north-western Sicily, Italy). Plant Sociol 61(1):1–29. https://doi.org/10.3897/pls2024611/01


Gómez AL (1985) El Clima em las Ciudades. Arbor, 13–32


Gonçalves P (2020) Linking biological and cultural diversity: A novel approach for urban greenspaces planning and management. Universidade do Porto


Gritti ES, Smith B, Sykes MT (2006) Vulnerability of Mediterranean Basin ecosystems to climate change and invasion by exotic plant species. J Biogeogr 33(1):145–157. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01377.x


Hanson HI, Eckberg E, Widenberg M, Alkan Olsson J (2021) Gardens’ contribution to people and urban green space. Urban Forestry Urban Green 63:127198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127198


IPCC (2023) Climate Change 2023 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, 1.a edn. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844


IPNI - International Plant Names Index (2025) International Plant Names Index. https://www.ipni.org/


Ismaeil EMH, Sobaih AEE (2022a) Assessing Xeriscaping as a Retrofit Sustainable Water Consumption Approach for a Desert University Campus. Water 14(11):1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14111681


Ismaeil EMH, Sobaih AEE (2022b) Assessing Xeriscaping as a Retrofit Sustainable Water Consumption Approach for a Desert University Campus. Water 14(11):1681. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14111681


Kabisch N, Korn H, Stadler J, Bonn A (eds) (2017a) Chapter 1 Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas—Linkages Between Science, Policy and Practice. Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas: Linkages between Science, Policy and Practice. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56091-5


Kabisch N, Korn H, Stadler J, Bonn A (eds) (2017b) Chapter 2 Impacts of Climate Change on Urban Areas and Nature-Based Solutions for Adaptation. Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas: Linkages between Science, Policy and Practice. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56091-5


Kettunen M, Genovesi P, Gollasch S, Pagad S, Starfinger U (2008) Technical support to EU strategy on invasive species (IAS)—Assessment of the impacts of IAS in Europe and the EU IEEP. Bruxelas


Khew JYT, Yokohari M, Tanaka T (2014) Public Perceptions of Nature and Landscape Preference in Singapore. Hum Ecol 42(6):979–988. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-014-9709-x


Kummerow J (1973) Comparative Anatomy of Sclerophylls of Mediterranean Climatic Areas. Em F. Di Castri & H. A. Mooney (Eds.), Mediterranean Type Ecosystems (Vol. 7, pp. 157–167). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-65520-3_10


Lecomte X, Bugalho MN, Catry FX, Fernandes PM, Cera A, Caldeira MC (2024) Ungulates mitigate the effects of drought and shrub encroachment on the fire hazard of M editerranean oak woodlands. Ecol Appl 34(4):e2971. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2971


Leotta L, Toscano S, Romano D (2023) Which plant species for green roofs in the mediterranean environment? Plants 12(23):3985. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233985


Littell JS, Peterson DL, Riley KL, Liu Y, Luce CH (2016) A review of the relationships between drought and forest fire in the United States. Glob Change Biol 22(7):2353–2369. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13275


Madureira H, Andresen T, Monteiro A (2011) Green structure and planning evolution in Porto. Urban Forestry Urban Green 10(2):141–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2010.12.004


Maestre FT, Biancari L, Chen N, Corrochano-Monsalve M, Jenerette GD, Nelson C, Shilula KN, Shpilkina Y (2024) Research needs on the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationship in drylands. Npj Biodivers 3(1):12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44185-024-00046-6


Mahmoudi Farahani L, Maller C, Phelan K (2018) Private gardens as urban greenspaces: can they compensate for poor greenspace access in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods? Landsc Online 59:1–18. https://doi.org/10.3097/LO.201859


Maimaitiyiming M, Ghulam A, Tiyip T, Pla F, Latorre-Carmona P, Halik Ü, Sawut M, Caetano M (2014) Effects of green space spatial pattern on land surface temperature: Implications for sustainable urban planning and climate change adaptation. ISPRS J Photogrammetry Remote Sens 89:59–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2013.12.010


Matias P, Moreira Da Silva M, Teigão J, Duarte A (2025) Urban vegetation benefits in mediterranean cities for climate change adaptation and water usage efficiency – a case study in Algarve, Portugal. Front Environ Sci 13:1520934. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1520934


McNeely JA (2001) Global Invasive Species Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, International Council of Scientific Unions. In: International CAB (ed) Global strategy on invasive alien species. IUCN


com Cramer MECC, Guiot W, Marini J, MedECC) (2020) K., &. Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report (Versão 1, First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer, W., Guiot, J., Marini, K. (Eds.)]). Union for the Mediterranean. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.7224821


Mimet A, Kerbiriou C, Simon L, Julien J-F, Raymond R (2020) Contribution of private gardens to habitat availability, connectivity and conservation of the common pipistrelle in Paris. Landsc Urban Plann 193:103671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103671


Musarella CM, Laface VLA, Angiolini C, Bacchetta G, Bajona E, Banfi E, Barone G, Biscotti N, Bonsanto D, Calvia G, Cambria S, Capuano A, Caruso G, Crisafulli A, Del Guacchio E, Di Gristina E, Domina G, Fanfarillo E, Fascetti S, Spampinato G (2024) New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update. Plants 13(5):620. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050620


Musarella CM, Sciandrello S, Domina G (2025) Competition between alien and native species in xerothermic steno-Mediterranean grasslands: Cenchrus setaceus and Hyparrhenia hirta in Sicily and southern Italy. Vegetos 38(3):1055–1062. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-024-00871-x


Nobel PS (2009) Physicochemical and environmental plant physiology, 4th edn. Elsevier/Academic


Noto LV, Cipolla G, Pumo D, Francipane A (2023) Climate Change in the Mediterranean Basin (Part II): A Review of Challenges and Uncertainties in Climate Change Modeling and Impact Analyses. Water Resour Manage 37(6–7):2307–2323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-023-03444-w


Papafotiou M, Pergialioti N, Tassoula L, Massas I, Kargas G (2013) Growth of native aromatic xerophytes in an extensive mediterranean green roof as affected by substrate type and depth and irrigation frequency. HortScience 48(10):1327–1333. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.48.10.1327


Papafotiou M, Vlachou G, Trigka M, Martini AN, Bertsouklis KF (2019) The xerophytic partere of the historic botanical garden of Agricultural University of Athens. Book abstracts, 161


Parés-Franzi M, Saurí-Pujol D, Domene E (2006) Evaluating the Environmental Performance of Urban Parks in Mediterranean Cities: An Example from the Barcelona Metropolitan Region. Environ Manage 38(5):750–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-005-0197-z


Patti M, Musarella CM, Spampinato G (2025) A Habitat-Template Approach to Green Wall Design in Mediterranean Cities. Buildings 15(14):2557. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142557


Paudel S, States SL (2023) Urban green spaces and sustainability: Exploring the ecosystem services and disservices of grassy lawns versus floral meadows. Urban Forestry Urban Green 84:127932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127932


Pérez-Urrestarazu L, Egea G, Ruiz-Alcalá C, Roldán-Olmo F, Fernández-Cañero R (2018) Water management assessment in a historic garden: The case study of the Real Alcazar (Seville, Spain). Urban Forestry Urban Green 29:192–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2017.11.020


Pietrapertosa F, Olazabal M, Simoes SG, Salvia M, Fokaides PA, Ioannou BI, Viguié V, Spyridaki N-A, De Gregorio Hurtado S, Geneletti D, Heidrich O, Tardieu L, Feliu E, Rižnar K, Matosovi? M, Balzan MV, Flamos A, Šel NB, Reckien D (2023) Adaptation to climate change in cities of Mediterranean Europe. Cities 140:104452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104452


Raihan A (2024) A review on the role of green vegetation in improving urban environmental quality. Eco Cities 4(2):2387. https://doi.org/10.54517/ec.v4i2.2387


Reyes-Paecke S, Gironás J, Melo O, Vicuña S, Herrera J (2019) Irrigation of green spaces and residential gardens in a Mediterranean metropolis: Gaps and opportunities for climate change adaptation. Landsc Urban Plann 182:34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2018.10.006


Ricart S, Villar-Navascués R, Reyes M, Rico-Amorós AM, Hernández-Hernández M, Toth E, Bragalli C, Neri M, Amelung B (2024) Water–tourism nexus research in the Mediterranean in the past two decades: A systematic literature review. Int J Water Resour Dev 40(1):57–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2023.2207686


Richardson D, Black AS, Irving D, Matear RJ, Monselesan DP, Risbey JS, Squire DT, Tozer CR (2022) Global increase in wildfire potential from compound fire weather and drought. Npj Clim Atmospheric Sci 5(1):23. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-022-00248-4


Ringleb J, Sallwey J, Stefan C (2016) Assessment of managed aquifer recharge through modeling—a review. Water 8(12):579. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8120579


Rivas-Martínez S (1981) Les Étages Bioclimatiques de la Végétation de la Péninsule Ibérique. Anal Jard Bot Madrid 37(2):251–268


Rivas-Martinez S (1982) Etages bioclimatiques, secteurs chorologiques et séries de végétation de l’Espagne méditerranéenne. Ecologia mediterranea 8(1):275–288. https://doi.org/10.3406/ecmed.1982.1954


Rivas-Martínez S (1987) Memoria del mapa de las series de vegetación de España. [Mapa]. ICONA


Rivas-Martínez S (1988) Bioclimatologia, Biogeografía y Series de Vegetación de Andalucía Occidental. Lagascalia 15(extra):91–119


Rivas-Martínez S (1996) Geobotánica y Bioclimatologia [Discurso del Acto de Investidura como Doctor Honoris causa. Universidad de Granada.]


Rivas-Martínez S (2004) Global bioclimatics (Classificacion bioclimatica de la Tierra)


Rivas-Martínez S (2005) Avances en Geobotánica. Real Acad Farmacia, 142p


Rivas-Martínez S (2007) Mapa de series, geoseries y geopermaseries de vegetación de España. Itinera Geobotanica AEFA 17:5–436


Rivas-Martínez S (2008) Global bioclimatics (Classificacion bioclimatica de la Tierra)


Rivas-Martínez S, Lousã M, Díaz TE, González FF, Costa JC (1990) The vegetation of southern Portugal, Sado, Altentejo and Algarve [La vegetacion del sur de Portugal (Sado, Alentejo y Algarve)]. Itinera Geobotanica, (3), 5–126


Rivas-Martínez S, Sáenz SR, Penas A (2011) Worldwide bioclimatic classification system. Global Geobotany 1:1–634


Rocha B, Paço T, Luz A, Palha P, Milliken S, Kotzen B, Branquinho C, Pinho P, De Carvalho R (2021) Are biocrusts and xerophytic vegetation a viable green roof typology in a mediterranean climate? A comparison between differently vegetated green roofs in water runoff and water quality. Water 13(1):94. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13010094


Rundel PW, Arroyo MTK, Cowling RM, Keeley JE, Lamont BB, Vargas P (2016) Mediterranean biomes: evolution of their vegetation, floras, and climate. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst 47(1):383–407. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-121415-032330


Salih K, Saeed ZO, Almukhtar A (2021) Lessons from New York high line green roof: conserving biodiversity and reconnecting with nature. Urban Sci 6(1):2. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci6010002


Simard SW, Roach WJ, Defrenne CE, Pickles BJ, Snyder EN, Robinson A, Lavkulich LM (2020) Harvest intensity effects on carbon stocks and biodiversity are dependent on regional climate in douglas-fir forests of British Columbia. Front Forests Global Change 3:88. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2020.00088


Snethlage M, Jones-Walters L (2008) Interaction between policy concerning spatial planning and ecological networks in Europe (SPEN – spatial planning and ecological networks)). ECNC - European Centre for Nature Conservation


Song J, Wang Z-H (2015) Impacts of mesic and xeric urban vegetation on outdoor thermal comfort and microclimate in Phoenix, AZ. Build Environ 94:558–568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.10.016


Spampinato G, Musarella CM, Cano-Ortiz A, Signorino G (2018) Habitat, occurrence and conservation status of the Saharo-Macaronesian and Southern-Mediterranean element Fagonia cretica L. (Zygophyllaceae) in Italy. J Arid Land 10(1):140–151. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-017-0076-5


Sterman N (2018) Hot Color, Dry Garden. Timber Press, Inc


Tassoula L, Papafotiou M, Liakopoulos G, Kargas G (2021) Water use efficiency, growth and anatomic-physiological parameters of Mediterranean xerophytes as affected by substrate and irrigation on a green roof. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 49(2):12283. https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha49212283


Teixeira M (2005) Reposição da Permeabilidade dos Solos—Desafios para o Urbanismo Futuro [Dissertação para a obtenção do grau de mestre em Planeamento e Projeto do Ambiente Urbano]. Universidade do Porto


UN (2024) World Population Prospects 2024. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division


Vargas P (2020) The Mediterranean Floristic Region: High Diversity of Plants and Vegetation Types. Em Encyclopedia of the World’s Biomes (pp. 602–616). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.12097-4


Vestrella A, Savé R, Biel C (2015) An experimental study in simulated greenroof in mediterranean climate. J Agric Sci 7(4):p95. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v7n4p95


Vilão R, Venâncio C, Lopes MA, Ferreira MJ (2023) Relatório do Estado do Ambiente


Vivas E, Maia R (2010) A gestão de escassez e secas enquadrando as alterações climáticas. Revista Recursos Hídricos 31(01):25–37


Vizzarri M, Sallustio L, Travaglini D, Bottalico F, Chirici G, Garfì V, Lafortezza R, La Mela Veca D, Lombardi F, Maetzke F, Marchetti M (2017) The MIMOSE approach to support sustainable forest management planning at regional scale in mediterranean contexts. Sustainability 9(2):316. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9020316


Wade G et al (2007) Xeriscape—A guide to developing a water-wise landscape. Cooperative Extension


Wang D, Xu P-Y, An B-W, Guo Q-P (2024) Urban green infrastructure: Bridging biodiversity conservation and sustainable urban development through adaptive management approach. Front Ecol Evol 12:1440477. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1440477


Wang G, Hu N, Hautier Y, Middleton B, Wang M, Zhao M, Meng J, Ma Z, Liu B, Liu Y, Jiang M (2025) Biotic and abiotic drivers of ecosystem temporal stability in herbaceous Wetlands in China. Glob Change Biol 31(1):e70056. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70056


Weinstein G (1999) Xeriscape handbook: A how-to guide to natural, resource-wise gardening. Fulcrum Pub


Wheeler MM, Larson KL, Bergman D, Hall SJ (2022) Environmental attitudes predict native plant abundance in residential yards. Landsc Urban Plann 224:104443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104443


Xarepe D (2023) A reinvenção dos jardins xerófilos no Algarve com recurso às suculentas xeromórficas. Universidade do Algarve


Xarepe D, Canas RQ, Musarella CM (2024) Green spaces more adapted and resilient to the current and future climatic conditions in the south of Portugal (Algarve): Xerophytic gardens using xeromorphic succulents. Res J Ecol Environ Sci 4(1):16–28. https://doi.org/10.31586/rjees.2024.884


Ya?l? R, Yüceda? C, Ayan S, Simovski B (2023) The role of urban trees in reducing land surface temperature. SilvaWorld 2(1):36–49. https://doi.org/10.29329/silva.2023.518.05


Rivas-Martínez, S., Penas, Á., del Río, S., González, T. E. D., & Rivas-Sáenz, S. (2017). Chapter 2—Bioclimatology of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. In The Vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula (J. Loidi, Vol. 1, pp. 29–80). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54784-8

 

Author Information

---

Faculty of Sciences and Technology, MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Algarve, Faro, Portugal