Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Restoration

This paper reviews the contributions presented during the third session of the International School of Higher Education (ISHE), focused on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity restoration. The discussion highlights the interdependence between agriculture, environment, and landscape, advocating for an integrated and interdisciplinary governance framework. Key themes include the transition from fragmented regulatory approaches to a holistic “law of the territory,” the role of farmers as environmental stewards, and the environmental impacts of land-use change and urbanization, exemplified by the case of Palermo’s Conca d’Oro. Furthermore, the link between deforestation, desertification, and ecological restoration is examined, emphasizing process-based and ecosystem-oriented strategies. Overall, the paper identifies intensive agriculture as both a driver of environmental degradation and a critical sector for sustainable transition. The main challenge lies in reconciling food security with biodiversity conservation through resilient, low-impact agricultural practices, reduced resource use, and integrated policy instruments.