Different responses to mega-trends in less favorable farming systems. Continuation and abandonment of farming land on the islands of Lesvos and Lemnos, Greece

Farming systems in marginal or less favored areas of Europe have faced a multitude challenges as response to so-called “mega-trends”. A typical has been land abandonment. The focus this paper is on the farming Greek islands Lesvos and Lemnos. These neighboring are geographically very similar but differ greatly their systems, resulting different responses same megatrends. While abandonment widespread small-scale olive groves Lesvos, Lemnos specialization towards animal dairy products more common. We performed cover analysis interviews with farmers both areas, two complementing rounds: one quantitative that recorded recent changes farmer rationales qualitative investigated longer term trends decision-making patterns. revealed that, among others, ownership inheritance patterns matter ways, leading diverse trajectories. On Lemnos, part traditional mixed-farming system ( Mandra ), leasing dominant, separating users landowners. Interviews also reveal symbolic capital, trees considered family asset not just use, something cannot be said leased grazing lands market value important, trajectories demonstrate how behind mega-trends can guide which will dominant area. This article highlights complexity mix local drivers global drive at farm landscape scales guides formulation application agricultural policies public resources for improved management areas. • Remote sensing, interviews, oral history inform use At farm-level, intensification dominates Marginalization diversification into niche markets dominate Lesvos. landscape-scale, persistence form capital flexibility influence mega-trends.