Berchidda Monti Case Study

University of Sassari and Produttori Cooperativa ARBOREA Lead Efforts to Combat Land Degradation in Berchidda-Monti, Sardinia, Italy

Berchidda-Monti, Italy – December 15th, 2025 – The University of Sassari (UNISS) and Produttori Cooperativa ARBOREA (CoopArb) are leading the Berchidda-Monti Case Study as part of the MONALISA project. The MONALISA project under the EU Soil Mission brings together leaders from industry, policy, government, research, academia, and science across the EU and Mediterranean. Coordinated by the University of Sassari (UNISS), the project aims to identify and promote innovative, tailored solutions to prevent and reverse LDD while showcasing their socio-economic and environmental effectiveness.

Berchidda-Monti: A Region Facing Environmental Challenges

Located in northern Sardinia, the Berchidda-Monti area is characterized by hilly terrain and a Mediterranean climate. The region's primary land uses include agriculture, particularly viticulture and livestock farming. Despite favourable climatic conditions, the area faces challenges such as soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and the impacts of climate change. Key drivers of LDD in Berchidda-Monti include land use intensification, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

UNISS & Produttori Cooperativa ARBOREA: Leading the Berchidda-Monti Case Study

The University of Sassari and its partners are leading the Berchidda-Monti case study within the MONALISA project. Their efforts focus on implementing and assessing various solutions, including:

– Innovative Grazing Systems – Implementing adaptive multi-paddock grazing systems to enhance pasture productivity and soil health.

– Conservation Agriculture Practices – Adopting cover crops and reduced tillage to improve soil structure and reduce erosion.

– Ecological Restoration Practices – Restoring native vegetation and implementing green infrastructures to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

A participatory approach is central to the project, involving co-design and co-implementation with local stakeholders to ensure the impact, relevance, and effectiveness of the solutions.

As part of the MONALISA project's ongoing activities, a field visit to Berchidda-Monti was organized in October 2024 during the Kick-off Meeting. This visit aimed to assess the progress of implemented solutions and foster knowledge exchange among MONALISA partners and stakeholders. Read more about the Berchidda-Monti Case Study or Filed visit via MONALISA website blog.

MONALISA Consortium
Universita Degli Studi Di Sassari (UNISS); Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza (Sapienza); Panepistimio Kritis (UoC); Centro De Investigacion Ecologica Y Aplicaciones Forestales (CREAF); Hellenic Society For The Protection Of Nature (HSPN); Ethniko Kentro Erevnas Kai Technologikis Anaptyxis (CERTH); Istituto Superiore Per La Protezione E La Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA); Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR); Institut Des Regions Arides (IRA); Centre International De Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Mediterraneennes (CIHEAM); Agricolus Agritech Spain Sl (Agricolus); Fondazione Medes (MEDES); We World-Gvc Organizzazione Non Lucrativa Di Utilita' Sociale (WeWorld); Aarhus Universitet (AU); Asociacion Adroches Para El Desarrollo Rural De La Comarca De Los Pedroches (ADROCHES); Universitatea Din Bucuresti (UniBuc); Inosens DOO Novi Sad (InoSens); Cooperativa Produttori Arborea - Societa Agricola (CoopArb); Ente Parco Nazionale Alta Murgia (AltaMurgia); Reseau Pour La Recherche Internationale Sur La Desertification (DNI); Commissariat Regional Au Developpement Agricole De Medenine (CRDA); Universitat Basel (UNIBASE); Universite De Geneve (UNIGE).

For more information, please reach out to:
Giovanna Seddaiu, Project Coordinator & Case Study Coordinator (UNISS), [email protected] , [email protected]
Antonio Pulina, Case Study Coordinator (UNISS), [email protected]
Marco Petrele, Case Study Coordinator (CoopArb), [email protected]
Maja Sremački, Diss. & Comm. Manager (InoSens) [email protected]