Project proposal: The Olive Tree, Climate Change and Biodiversity

The Olive Tree and climate change

Ever since the fresh olive leaf indicated the receding of the flood waters, the Olive Tree has been a sensitive indicator of climate change. Recent studies have shown how its flowering period (as measured by airborne pollen concentrations) is closely dependent on spring temperatures, and is predicted to advance by as much as 6 days per degree centigrade, translating to up to 23 days by the 2030s in the Mediterranean environment. With the Mediterranean Region predicted to be one of the main climate change hotspots this century, with repercussions for water security, human health, economy and biodiversity, the Olive Tree can serve as an early biological indicator of the warming driving these worrying regional trends.

The Olive Tree and biodiversity

The distribution of the Olive Tree defines the Mediterranean bioclimatic region in Eurasia and North Africa. Traditionally managed olive orchards have been an economically important, highly sustainable land use for millennia (98% of the world production of olive oil takes place in the Mediterranean), and support a rich fauna and flora. The loss of such agro-forestry systems, as is already being witnessed in some parts of the Mediterranean basin due to rural depopulation and modern agricultural policies, could have a significant impact on biodiversity at a regional level, compounding existing pressures from climate change and rising built development.

The Olive Tree and cultural and Christian heritage

The Olive Tree not only marks the geographical extent of the Mediterranean landscape, but also has shaped the daily life of Mediterranean civilisations. It is associated with their rites and religious traditions and represents a material and spiritual reference point for the whole region, as well as a universal symbol of peace and reconciliation. In Christian tradition it is especially important, being foundational to the blessings provided to God’s chosen people in the Promised Land, and the environmental setting for much of Jesus’ travels and teachings.

Drawing upon this rich Christian and cultural heritage, the opportunity exists to reconnect Mediterranean peoples with each other and their environment and join forces against the impacts of climate change and rapid biodiversity loss. This can be done by developing a number of activities around the Olive Tree.

Objectives

Use the Olive Tree to raise awareness on, and monitor, climate change and biodiversity loss.
Promote the heritage value of the Olive Tree and the conservation of traditional olive cultivation.
Use the Olive Tree to encourage inter-cultural dialogue on Mediterranean nature conservation
Within the church, use the Olive Tree as a teaching aid for creation care and stewardship of natural resources.

The project

A phenological monitoring scheme will be established involving community participation for direct recording of olive flowering, fruiting and leaf falling dates, as well as collating of data from existing and new airborne pollen sampling stations, which provide a better regional picture by smoothing out variation due to microsite. The results will be periodically analysed in climate change models and communicated through scientific publication and the general media. A regional data depository will also be created for research results on the biodiversity of traditional olive orchards and associated high nature value farmland, with the aim of stimulating new participatory studies and informing national and regional policies that can help maintain these systems. In conjunction with the "Routes of the Olive Tree" initiative of the Cultural Foundation and Chamber of Commerce in Messenia (Greece), promotional activities themed on the Olive Tree will be organised for the general public in different countries. Furthermore, teaching aids and events will be organised for churches (see also the Biblical Ecology project).