engleski

The role of rural areas in sustainable development

Sustainable development is long term, environmentally sound management of all resources for the benefit of the population and the environment. Moreover, sustainable development is long-term planning and systematic exploitation of such resources, with minimal "losses" that are harmful to flora and fauna. One of the essential components of sustainable development is the conservation of biological diversity which the area of the eastern Adriatic coast abounds. In Dalmatia there are currently 61 known varieties of olives, around 130 varieties of various fruits, 82 varieties of grapes, 94 varieties of spices and aromatic herbs. Large biological diversity of this area is a consequence of the large number of climate, bio-geographic, social and cultural conditions that prevailed and rule in the area. Turbulent historical upheavals (wars, socio- economic and political relations, policy changes, etc.) during the last century in this region resulted in a significant changes in rural areas (population migration from rural to urban areas, leaving agricultural production, demographic changes in the country, aging population, etc.). Simultaneously with these changes the introduction of new technologies in agricultural production (mechanization of agriculture, manufacturing and production in the monoculture of genetically modified crops) took place. The result of these changes and events is the "erosion" of traditionally bred varieties and breeds, and according to our research, one variety of olives completely gone, and 12 of them are on verge of extinction. From traditionally grown varieties of fruit, there is no data for 14 of them, while 31 species are endangered. Agricultural biodiversity of Dalmatia is not well studied, preserved, protected nor promoted. Therefore, it is not utilized in the selection, nor recognized as economically important in creating original and distinctive high-value agricultural products, which are great tourist potential and are an important tool for preserving the existing Dalmatian environment. The paper illustrates the changes in the rural areas of Dalmatia, and their impact on the preservation of traditional varieties of fruit and olive trees.

sustainable development; biological diversity; varieties; breeds; rural area

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