Biocultural Diversity at Risk Amidst and Beyond Overtourism: The Decline in Wild Green Foraging in Corfu over the Past 50 Years

Over the past five decades, Corfu's wild green (WG) biodiversity has declined significantly, with species dropping from 58 in 1971 to 42 in 2024. This reduction is attributed to urbanization, shifts in land use, and the rise of tourism-driven economies, which have diminished herbaceous vegetation. Climate changes, including a 1.5 °C temperature increase and reduced rainfall, further exacerbate this loss. The study also highlights the cultural shift away from traditional foraging practices, particularly those centered on women's roles, and the impact of formal botanical education. To mitigate biodiversity loss and preserve cultural heritage, integrating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies is urgently needed.

Alrhmoun, M., Sulaiman, N., Ullah, I., Sõukand, R., & Pieroni, A. (2025). Biocultural Diversity at Risk Amidst and Beyond Overtourism: The Decline in Wild Green Foraging in Corfu over the Past 50 Years. Land, 14(3), 654. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030654