Instytut Fizyki Centrum Naukowo-Dydaktyczne

Traditional tillage in woody crops in the Mediterranean environment is a paradigmatic example of the effect of unsustainable management on soil degradation due to erosion and the loss of organic carbon, nutrients, and biodiversity. The use of vegetation cover increases the SOC and produces a cascade of benefits in soil structure, water storage, or biodiversity. However, in semi-arid areas, farmers are reluctant to use permanent vegetation cover. To involve them, research must clearly highlight the current state of degradation of soils in woody crops and the feasibility, with pros and cons, of vegetation cover as a sustainable management practice.