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As of 2026, approximately 2 billion people — around 30% of the world’s population — lives in semi-arid regions. Many of these areas are also among the world’s least developed, meaning they often receive limited research attention, funding, and long-term ecological investment.
I am deeply fascinated by how flora, fauna (including humans), and funga interact within these fragile ecological systems.
I own a piece of land in one of Europe’s harsher landscapes, on the island of Sifnos. The region is semi-arid, receiving roughly 400 mm of rainfall annually, while also being exposed to very strong winds (Meltemi). It has been overgrazed for centuries and inhabited for millennia. Today, increasing tourism places additional pressure on an already fragile ecosystem, particularly regarding water use.
On this land, I run small-scale experiments to explore solutions that could help rehabilitate and scale restoration efforts in semi-arid regions around the world. My approach combines firsthand observation of what works on the ground, indigenous knowledge and practices, and techniques gathered from different regions globally. Much of my philosophy is putting into practice the notion of The Problem is the Solution. As such, I use invasive plants to my advantage rather than simply trying to get rid of them.
Below is a photo showing part of the land before and after my restoration efforts. You can follow my work on Instagram and YouTube under the name “Meltemi Permaculture.”
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