Historical Landscape of Lun Olive Trees at Pag Island, Croatia

Abstract

Narrow and isolated landstrip of Lun village at the island of Pag is home to a substantial number of olive trees. Now a vast majority of wild olive trees (Olea oleaster sp.) are grafted, but there is also a biological reserve of ungrafted forest. Its inception is interpreted according to historical sources. Acquired preservational status of cultural landscape is compared with the activities of cultivators themselves, experiencing integrational period of Croatian EU-membership candidature as the second most important modern motion after post-feudal agrarian reforms. In such a way supralocal and supranational genesis of a local phenomenon is being confirmed also in the modern age. Agrogenetically diverse trees adapted to harsh karstic terrain grow from fruit stones and bear mutational stock of possible biotechnological importance. The case for a biocultural registry and adjusted conservation for development is argued. European and more generally implicated theoretical issues are also discussed.