SCaling up Agroecological LAndscapes in the Mediterranean (SCALAM)

SCaling up Agroecological LAndscapes in the Mediterranean (SCALAM) is a collaborative research project funded under PRIMA and coordinated by Benaki Phytopathological Institute in Greece. The project runs from June 2026 to March 2029. 

SCALAM aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable and resilient agricultural systems across the Mediterranean by working to scale up agroecological practices that improve biodiversity, soil health, and livelihoods. SCALAM combines participatory living labs, climate-resilient innovations, and close collaboration with stakeholders to co-develop tailored to the region. 

SCALAM project brings together thirteen partner organizations, including the Centre for Development Research (ZEF). ZEF leads a subproject on model-based decision-making tools for climate-resilient agroecosystems. ZEF’s work focuses on strengthening resilience of Mediterranean farming systems to climate through modeling of future risks from weeds, pests, and diseases under various climate scenarios, ZEF researchers are assessing how practices such as intercropping, biological pest control, cover cropping, and reduced tillage can help mitigate these biotic stresses particularly in cereal-pulse and perennial olive-based farming systems.

Methodology

We use past published literature and records to map where key pests, weeds, and plant diseases currently occur across selected Mediterranean countries. By combining this information with future climate projections using species distribution models, we will predict potential future risk zones. 

In close collaboration with farmers and other key stakeholders, we will co-develop a decision-support framework. This framework will integrate projected future risk zones, farm types, and stages of agroecology adoption to aid farmers and advisors select appropriate agroecological measures that will improve soil health, biodiversity, and livelihoods.