On June 4th, 2025, a regional workshop was held in Astakos, Xiromero (Greece). This event brought together local stakeholders to foster knowledge-transfer on the development and implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Xiromero forest and agroforestry landscapes. Organized by our partners from the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management of the Agricultural University of Athens and the Municipality of Xiromero in the Municipal Council Hall in Astakos, the event gathered a total of 28 participants and the UDC coordination team from the University of A Coruña (UDC).
On the morning of June 4, the UDC coordination team visited the experimental plots in the valonia oak forest to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s unique environmental, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics.
Following the field visit, the workshop began with a presentation of the Nature-based Solutions to local stakeholders. Professor Anastasia Pantera opened the session by outlining the goals of the DRYAD project and emphasizing the department’s long-standing research presence in the Xiromero region. She was followed by Professor Andreas Papadopoulos, who presented the NbS proposed for both the Mediterranean basin and Xiromero forest, setting the stage for a participatory dialogue with stakeholders.
Local participants including farmers, livestock breeders, community members, and municipal representatives actively participated in the discussions. They were asked to identify the benefits, challenges, and implementation concerns related to the proposed Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Some solutions, such as biodiverse grass seed sowing, real-time livestock monitoring, and the restoration of natural watercourses, were considered less relevant or not applicable to the regional context.
Participants also highlighted several barriers to implementation, including the high cost of some solutions, limited technical and legislative knowledge, and a lack of public funding and policy alignment with farmers’ interests. In addition, key concerns raised included the urgent need for forest fire prevention, forest biomass management strategies, and the broader economic and socio-political implications of applying NbS locally.
Hydrological measures received particular attention during the workshop. Participants noted that in parts of Xiromero, where rivers and streams are scarce and the sea is nearby, technical solutions for accessing clean, non-brackish water for livestock and crops are difficult to implement.
Additionally, in terms of benefits most NbS were associated with improved farm profitability, greater climate resilience, and increased productivity thanks to the improvement of the soil quality. Measures such as the protection of regenerated trees and shrubs were seen as the NbS with high implementation interest, whereas drainage or early detection of tree mortality faced greater technical and bureaucratic problems.
Finally, the Mayor of Xiromero, Mr. Giannis Triantafyllakis, expressed strong support for the participatory approach and the dedication shown by the research teams. He emphasized the importance of the workshop in shaping a resilient future for Xiromero’s forests and communities. The event marked a meaningful step toward strengthening collaboration and aligning regional knowledge with practical, sustainable land management strategies.
