Ziele

In den gemässigten Breiten Europas wird häufig eine intensive Landwirtschaft mit Monokulturen betrieben. Zeiträume ohne oder mit geringer Bodenbedeckung sind immer noch weit verbreitet. Während dieser Zeiträume (z.B. Winterbrache) sind die Böden anfällig für Wind- und Wassererosion und Nährstoffverluste. Auch während der Hauptkultur im Frühling und Sommer sind viele Böden unzureichend bedeckt (z.B. im Mais) wodurch ein grösserer Unkrautdruck entstehen, unter nassen Bedingungen verstärkt Erosion und unter trockenen Bedingungen verstärkte Verdunstung auftreten kann. Ausserdem wird das Potential der Stickstofffixierung in Monokulturen nicht optimal ausgenutzt.

Ergebnisse

Die Verwendung von Untersaaten ist eine Massnahme zur kontinuierlichen Bodenbedeckung. Dabei wird auf einer Parzelle zusätzlich zur Hauptkultur eine zusätzliche Kultur oder Mischung         angesät. Untersaaten können das Erosionsrisiko reduzieren, die Bodenstruktur verbessern, den Eintrag organischer Substanz in den Boden steigern, Nährstoffe binden, die Unkrautregulation unterstützen, die Biodiversität einer Parzelle erhöhen und im Sommer die Verdunstung von Wasser reduzieren. Untersaat kann als Gründüngung angebaut und dann nach Ernte der Hauptfrucht in den Boden eingearbeitet werden. Sie kann jedoch auch als Futtermittel genutzt und nach der Ernte der Hauptfrucht zu gegebener Zeit geerntet werden. Werden Futtermischungen als Untersaaten angebaut, können diese durch die mehrmalige Schnittnutzung auch Beikräuter wie beispielsweise Disteln unterdrücken. 

Empfehlungen

Es sind viele unterschiedliche Untersaaten erhältlich, die sowohl aus einer wie auch aus einem Gemisch unterschiedlicher Arten bestehen. Die Wahl der Untersaat muss auf die Haupt- und Folgekultur abgestimmt sein. Es ist zu Unterscheiden zwischen abfrierenden und überwinternden Mischungen oder Arten. Ausserdem muss bei der Auswahl festgelegt werden, ob die Untersaat eine Futternutzung folgen soll. 

Objective

In the temperate latitudes of Europe, intensive agriculture with monocultures is often practised. Periods with little or no soil cover are still widespread. During these periods (e.g. winter fallow), soils are susceptible to wind and water erosion and nutrient loss. Many soils are also insufficiently covered during the main crop in spring and summer (e.g. in maize), which can lead to greater weed pressure, increased erosion in wet conditions and increased evaporation in dry conditions. In addition, the potential for nitrogen fixation in monocultures is not optimally utilised.

Result

The use of undersown crops is a measure for continuous soil cover. This involves sowing an additional crop or mixture on a plot of land in addition to the main crop. Undersown crops can reduce the risk of erosion, improve soil structure, increase the input of organic matter into the soil, bind nutrients, support weed regulation, increase the biodiversity of a plot and reduce water evaporation in summer. Undersown crops can be cultivated as green manure and then worked into the soil after the main crop has been harvested. However, it can also be used as fodder and harvested at the appropriate time after the main crop has been harvested. If forage mixtures are cultivated as undersown crops, they can also suppress weeds such as thistles by being cut several times. 

Recommendations

Many different undersown crops are available, consisting of one or a mixture of different species. The choice of undersow must be matched to the main and subsequent crop. A distinction must be made between freezing and overwintering mixtures or species. In addition, it must be determined whether the undersown crop is to follow a forage utilisation. Mixtures of different species are also available which, for example, have different root systems and can therefore develop the subsoil and improve its structure, repel pests and/or attract beneficial organisms, or increase nitrogen fixation and thus support the nut

Ziele

Als Ergänzung zur ökonomischen Bewertung der Anwendung von Bodenschutzmassnahmen auf Schweizer Ackerbaubetrieben wurde eine Benchmarking-App entwickelt. Das Ziel der App war es, den Landwirten die Möglichkeit zu geben, die Ergebnisse der Umfrage zu visualisieren und ihre Antworten mit denen ähnlicher Landwirte zu vergleichen. Darüber hinaus haben wir über die App zusätzliche Ressourcen zur Verfügung gestellt, so dass die Landwirte auf bereits verfügbare Informationsbroschüren und Ressourcen zum Thema Bodengesundheit zugreifen konnten. 

Ergebnisse

Am Ende der Umfragekampagne haben 2'714 Landwirt/innen unsere Umfrage ausgefüllt, von denen 2'001 die Möglichkeit wünschten, die Ergebnisse der Umfrage einzusehen und ihre Leistungen zu vergleichen. Die Entwicklung der App dauerte etwa drei Monate und wurde am 11. Juni 2024 allen Landwirt/innen, die einen Zugang beantragten, zur Verfügung gestellt. Zwischen Mitte Juni und Mitte August 2024 wurde die App während rund 430 Stunden genutzt. Die App wurde auch dem Schweizer Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft vorgestellt. Die App erhielt sowohl von den Landwirt/innen als auch vom Bundesamt ein sehr gutes Feedback.

Empfehlungen

Benchmarking-Anwendungen könnten sich als nützliches Instrument für Landwirte erweisen, die sich selbst motivieren, ihre landwirtschaftlichen Praktiken zu übernehmen, zu verbessern und nachhaltiger zu gestalten. Darüber hinaus bieten sie eine sehr bequeme Möglichkeit, Landwirten, die an Forschungsprogrammen teilnehmen, nützliche Informationen zur Verfügung zu stellen, die es ihnen ermöglichen, bessere Entscheidungen in ihren Betrieben zu treffen.

Objective

As an addition to the economic assessment of the uptake of soil health management practices on Swiss arable farms a benchmarking app was developed. The objective of the application was to enable farmers to visualise the results of the survey and anonomously compare their answers to those of similar farmers. Additionally, through the app we shared additional resources so that farmers could access already available information leaflettes and resources available on the topic of soil health. 

Result

At the end of the survey campaign, 2'714 farmers completed our survey and of those, 2'001 requested the possibility to view the results of the survey and benchmark their performance. The app development took approximately 3 months and was shared with all farmers requesting access on 11th June 2024. Between mid-June and mid-August 2024 the app had been used for approximately 430 hours. The app was also presented to the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture. The app recieved very good feedback from both the Farmers and Federal Office.

Recommendations

Benchmarking applications could prove to be a useful tool for self-motivating farmers to uptake, increase and improve the sustainability of their farming practices. Additionally, they provide a very convenient way to give back useful information to farmers who participate in research programmes, that enable them to make better decisions on their farms.

Ziele

Die wichtigste Herausforderung, die mit der Praxis der reduzierten Bodenbearbeitung angegangen wird, ist die Verschlechterung der Böden durch konventionelle Anbaumethoden, die häufig zu Erosion und Verlust organischer Substanz führen. Dieser Ansatz ermöglicht es den Landwirten, die Widerstandsfähigkeit ihrer Böden zu erhöhen und die Kohlenstoffbindung zu verbessern und damit einen Beitrag zur Abschwächung der Auswirkungen des Klimawandels zu leisten. 

Ergebnisse

Die Anwendung reduzierter Bodenbearbeitungsmethoden hat vielversprechende Ergebnisse bei der Verbesserung der Bodengesundheit gezeigt.  Forschungsergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass eine reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung den Gehalt an organischer Substanz im Boden erhöht und damit seine Fähigkeit, Kohlenstoff zu speichern, verbessert.Langfristig kann diese Praxis zu einem erheblichen Anstieg des organischen Kohlenstoffgehalts im Boden führen, der für die Erhaltung der Bodenfruchtbarkeit und der Produktivität von entscheidender Bedeutung ist. Darüber hinaus wird die reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung mit einer verbesserten mikrobiellen Aktivität und Vielfalt im Boden in Verbindung gebracht, was ein gesünderes Bodenökosystem fördert, das das Pflanzenwachstum und die Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen extreme Wetterereignisse unterstützt. 

Empfehlungen

Landwirte können eine reduzierte Bodenbearbeitung anwenden, indem sie ihre Pflanz- und Anbautechniken so ändern, dass der Boden möglichst wenig gestört wird. Dies erfordert den Einsatz von Geräten, die in unterschiedlichem Maße für minimale Bodenbearbeitung ausgelegt sind, z. B. Mulch-, Streifen- und Null-Bodenbearbeitung. Zu den anfänglichen Kosten können Investitionen in Spezialmaschinen oder zusätzliche Schulungen gehören, aber die Einführung dieser Techniken kann zu zahlreichen langfristigen Vorteilen sowie zu Einsparungen bei Arbeitskräften und Betriebsmitteln führen. 

Objective

The primary challenge addressed by the practice of reduced tillage is soil degradation caused by conventional farming methods, which often lead to erosion and loss of organic matter. This approach enables farmers to enhance the resilience of their soils and improve carbon sequestration, thereby contributing to the mitigation of climate change impacts. By reducing soil disturbance, farmers can preserve soil structure, increase water retention, and promote biodiversity in the soil ecosystem, ultimately leading to more sustainable agricultural practices.

Result

Implementing reduced tillage practices has shown promising results in enhancing soil health. Research indicates that reduced tillage increases the organic matter content of the soil, thereby improving its ability to store carbon. In the long term, this practice can lead to a significant increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, which is essential for maintaining soil fertility and productivity. Additionally, reduced tillage has been linked to improved soil microbial activity and diversity, fostering a healthier soil ecosystem that supports crop growth and resilience against extreme weather events.

Recommendations

Farmers can adopt reduced tillage by modifying their planting and cultivation techniques to minimize soil disturbance. This requires using equipment designed for minimal tillage to different degrees, for example mulch tillage, strip tillage and zero tillage. The initial costs may include investment in specialized machinery or additional training, but adoption of these techniques can lead to numerous long-term benefits as well as labour and crop input savings. Additionally, farmers implementing these practices may be eligible for government incentives aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, making this approach not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable.

Obiettivo

La fertilità e la produttività della colture nell’area del Mediterraneo, soprattutto quelle cerealicole condotte in asciutto, dipendono in larga misura dalle precipitazioni. Tuttavia, il peggioramento delle condizioni ambientali dovuto al cambiamento climatico, caratterizzato da siccità e ondate di calore più frequenti e intense, sta ponendo sfide significative. Le lavorazioni conservative del suolo stanno emergendo come strategie efficaci per conservare l'acqua e il suolo, offrendo un approccio pratico per adattarsi e mitigare gli impatti del cambiamento climatico. 

Risultato

L’adozione delle lavorazioni conservative e soprattutto della semina su sodo permette di conservare una maggiore quantità d’acqua nel suolo nei periodi siccitosi rispetto alla gestione convenzionale che favorisce l’evaporazione dell’acqua dal suolo. La conservazione dell’acqua promossa dalle lavorazioni conservative influisce positivamente sulle colture cerealicole in tutte le fasi di sviluppo. Durante le fasi di emergenza della coltura, in occasione di autunni poco piovosi, crea migliori condizioni per la germinazione dei semi e emergenze più regolari rispetto alla gestione convenzionale che disseca il terreno più rapidamente, sia in tarda primavera allungando il ciclo produttivo grazie alla maggiore disponibilità di acqua nel suolo.
 

Raccomandazioni

La gestione conservativa del suolo è una pratica agronomica da raccomandare in quelle situazioni colturali in cui la risorsa idrica rappresenta un fattore limitante la produzione. Tuttavia, richiede tempestivi interventi colturali per evitare un’eccessiva compattazione dei suoli. Una gestione ottimale richiede una formazione continua e lo scambio di conoscenze aggiornate, anche in riferimento alle opportunità di finanziamento.

Objective

Crop fertility and productivity in the Mediterranean, particularly for rainfed cereals, rely heavily on rainfall. However, worsening environmental conditions driven by climate change—marked by more frequent and severe droughts and heatwaves—are posing significant challenges. Conservation tillage is emerging as an effective strategy to conserve water and soil, offering a practical approach to both adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Result

The adoption of conservation tillage, especially sod seeding, enhances water retention in the soil during dry periods compared to conventional management, which tends to increase evaporation rates. The higher soil moisture content resulting from conservation tillage positively influences cereal crops throughout all stages of development. During the emergence phases, expecially in dry falls, it fosters better conditions for seed germination, ensuring more uniform crop emergence. In addition, conservation tillage extends the crop growing cycle in late spring due to a higher water availability in the soil compared to conventional management.

Recommendations

Conservative soil management is an agronomic practice recommended expecially where water resources are a limiting factor. However, it requires timely agricultural interventions to avoid excessive soil compaction. Moreover, optimal management requires continuous training and  up-to-date knowledge exchange, including information on funding opportunities.

Obiettivo

La fertilità e la salute dei suoli nell’area del Mediterraneo sta peggiorando a causa delle condizioni ambientali sempre meno favorevoli, anche a causa dei cambiamenti climatici in corso con siccità, ondate di calore e alluvioni più intense e frequenti. La gestione convenzionale delle colture con lavorazioni profonde e frequenti comporta un impoverimento di carbonio organico dei suoli che risultano meno fertili, con stabilità degli aggregati inferiore e maggiore rischio di fenomeni erosivi. Le lavorazioni conservative possono limitare questi effetti attraverso una riduzione del “disturbo del suolo”. Questo, associato alla “gestione dei residui colturali”, consente di proteggere la superficie del suolo dall’erosione e di aumentare il suo contenuto di sostanza organica nel tempo.

Risultato

Riducendo le lavorazioni e disturbando meno il suolo, esso diventa più compatto e meno ossigenato e questo consente una riduzione della mineralizzazione della sostanza organica. Questo può comportare un incremento del contenuto di sostanza organica negli strati superficiali del suolo. Quest'ultima, infatti, determinando un ambiente più favorevole ai fenomeni ossidativi porta ad un impoverimento nel tempo della sostanza organica.

Raccomandazioni

Le lavorazioni conservative consentono di ridurre la mineralizzazione della sostanza organica, garantendo la conservazione del suolo, ma devono essere applicate in maniera da evitare un’eccessiva compattazione dei suoli con operazioni colturale intempestive e richiedono una gestione razionale dei residui colturali e delle erbe infestanti. Una gestione ottimale richiede una formazione continua e lo scambio di conoscenze aggiornate, anche in riferimento alle opportunità di finanziamento.

Objective

Soil health and fertility in the Mediterranean region are deteriorating due to increasingly unfavorable environmental conditions, including ongoing changes in climate conditions and more intense and frequent extreme events such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods. Conventional crop management involving deep and frequent tillage leads to a depletion of soil organic carbon, resulting in reduced fertility, lower aggregate stability, and higher risk of erosion. Conservation tillage can mitigate these effects by minimizing “soil disturbance". This, combined with "crop residue management," helps protect soil surface from erosion and increase its organic matter content over time.

Result

By reducing tillage and soil disturbance, soil becomes more compact and less oxygenated, reducing the mineralization rate of organic matter. This can lead to an increase of the organic matter content in the upper soil layers. In fact, conventional practices create an environment that favors oxidative processes, leading to a depletion of organic matter over time.

Recommendations

Conservation tillage allows for the reduction of organic matter mineralization while ensuring soil preservation. However, excessive soil compaction due to untimely agricultural operations must be prevented and a rational management of crop residues and weeds should be implemented. Moreover, optimal management requires continuous training and  up-to-date knowledge exchange, including information on funding opportunities.

Obiettivo

L'agricoltura conservativa è tra le pratiche agricole più promettenti per rispondere a queste sfide in quanto include un insieme di tecniche finalizzate alla conservazione dell’acqua e del suolo attraverso la riduzione del “disturbo del suolo”, la “gestione dei residui colturali” e gli “avvicendamenti colturali”. Questi tre concetti, che costituiscono i pilastri dell’agricoltura conservativa, contribuiscono sia ad aumentare l’adattamento dei sistemi cerealicoli ai cambiamenti climatici sia a ridurre le emissioni di gas serra in atmosfera, favorendo l’ottenimento  di redditi stabili per gli agricoltori.

Risultato

L’applicazione delle lavorazioni conservative in sistemi cerealicoli in areale Mediterraneo ha evidenziato l’ottenimento di rese simili alla gestione convenzionale a fronte di una riduzione dei costi legati alla gestione aziendale in termini di tempo e risorse dedicate alle operazioni colturali già durante i primi anni di applicazione, con effetti positivi anche dal punto di vista ambientale. Oltre alla riduzione dell’utilizzo di combustibili fossili, nel lungo periodo sono stati osservati benefici legati all’incremento del contenuto di sostanza organica del suolo, migliore fertilità e capacità di conservare l’acqua, con grandi benefici nelle annate siccitose.

Raccomandazioni
L’agricoltura conservativa ha molti benefici ma richiede attenzione nella sua applicazione con accorgimenti legati a una tempestiva gestione delle semine, un’attenta gestione delle infestanti e dei residui colturali e un’ottimale scelta delle specie e varietà e da inserire nelle rotazioni. Una gestione ottimale richiede una formazione continua e lo scambio di conoscenze aggiornate, anche in riferimento alle opportunità di finanziamento.
 

Objective

Soil fertility and health in the Mediterranean region are deteriorating due to intensive agricultural practices and increasingly challenging environmental conditions driven by climate change. This degradation threatens the ecosystem services that healthy soils provide, ultimately diminishing agricultural profitability and leading to the abandonment of cultivated land. Conservation agriculture offers one of the most promising solutions to address these challenges. It incorporates a set of practices focused on conserving water and soil through reduced soil disturbance, permenent soil cover, and crop rotations. These three principles—the pillars of conservation agriculture—not only enhance the resilience of cereal-based systems to climate change but also lower greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities, thereby helping farmers maintain stable incomes.

Result

Adopting conservation tillage in Mediterranean cereal systems maintains yields comparable to conventional methods while significantly reducing farm management costs in time and resources, even in early adoption years. This practice offers substantial environmental benefits, such as reduced fossil fuel consumption, increased soil organic matter, improved fertility, and enhanced water retention, especially in dry seasons. These advantages help cereal systems adapt to climate change, becoming more sustainable with lower emissions and higher soil carbon stocks. Additionally, the reduced costs make it a practical solution for low-productivity areas at risk of abandonment.

Recommendations

Conservation agriculture offers multiple benefits but it requires careful soil and crop management, including timely planting, optimal control of weeds and crop residues, and careful selection of species and varieties to be included in the rotations' schemes. Optimal management requires continuous training and  up-to-date knowledge exchange, including information on funding opportunities.

Objectief

Resultaat

Aanbevelingen

Objective

The Johnson-Su composting method, is a form of aerobic composting with the primary goal of creating high-quality, biologically active compost . The method focuses on fostering a diverse community of beneficial microorganisms, particularly fungi, which play a crucial role in building soil structure, enhancing nutrient cycling, and improving plant health and which can tolerate less well agricultural activities than bacterial communities. 

Result

Availability of high-quality fungal compost  that can be brewed into compost tea and extracts for soil inoculation. These products are rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients, enhancing soil health and promoting plant growth. The effects of compost tea and optimal application methods are still under research. Ongoing studies aim to maximize the benefits of these products for various crops and soil conditions, ensuring their effective use in sustainable farming.

Recommendations

1. Consider using IBC cages with perforated bottoms instead of the original cylindrical design for easier setup and storage. 
2. Aim for a C/N ratio of 30:1 3. Moisture content should be kept at 60% throughout the process. 
3. Monitor temperature in the first weeks to ensure pathogen control.   
4. After the temperature has stabilised (takes a couple months) incorporate composting worms to enhance decomposition and nutrient availability.  
5. The composting process takes about 12 months to produce mature compost. 
6. Test the resulting compost by means of a microscope evaluation and/or with a germination test.

Objectief

Resultaat

Aanbevelingen

Objective

The objective is to improve and maintain soil health, structure, fertility, and biodiversity over time through a planned sequence of different crops. Key goals include:

1. Long term productivity by improved soil structure and fertility. 
2. Reduce the need for inputs and the input use efficiency by plants. 
3. Suppress weeds, pests, and diseases.
4. Enhance biodiversity and reduce impact on the environment.                                                      

Result

Integrated with other practices, this crop rotation has resulted in a tremendous reduction in the need for (organic) manure input (from 170 to about 70 kg/N ha on average. The overall soil quality at the farm has also improved, we can assess this visually every time we dig in the soil and see a large amount of rainworms, fine roots and a ‘crumbly’ soil structure in the soil in most plots. This is also visible in the soil tests.

Recommendations

Our key considerations are:

Objectief

Resultaat

Aanbevelingen

Objective

This practice is a crucial component of our integrated approach to managing soil health and farm productivity. We have several objectives:

1. Support a diverse community of soil microorganisms that, in turn, benefits plant health.
2. Prevent nutrient loss through leaching.
3. Improve soil structure.
4. Increase organic matter content in the soil.
5. Fix nitrogen. 
6. Protect the soil in the winter                                                        

Result

The results have not been systematically monitored but have instead been observed in the context of agronomic practices. However, from scientific literature comparing green manure mixtures (three species) with monocultures, we have gathered the following insights. On average, mixtures tend to produce more biomass and yield higher nitrogen levels than monocultures (Elhakeem et al., 2019). Cover crop mixtures also have the potential to retain more nitrogen in the soil and significantly reduce leaching compared to monocultures. However, this effect largely depends on the specific species selected for the mixture. Fast-establishing cover crops and mixtures are the most effective at suppressing weeds, with cruciferous species being particularly suitable for this purpose.

Recommendations

1. Clearly define the main goals you wish to achieve with green manures. The choice of species in your mix depends heavily on these goals.
2. Ensure your mix includes at least one species from the grass family (such as cereals), a legume (e.g., clover), and a brassica (e.g., mustard), unless one of these has a negative effect on your specific objective.
3. Different plants have varying root systems; it’s beneficial to combine species that complement each other in this regard.
4. A vigorous, winter-hardy cover crop offers many advantages but requires time to terminate in the spring, which can be challenging during a wet spring. Consider this a potential risk factor. 
5. More species is not always better.

Mērķi

Stādīšanas vietas izveides ietekmē  augsnes veselību - vēja un lietus ūdens erozija nogāzēs un ielejās, kā arī stādīšanas vietas veidam ir būtiska nozīme stādīto koku augšanā - sakņu sistēmas veidošanās un koku izdzīvošana ir viens no pētījumu objektiem Mežoles jaunaudzēs.

Rezultāti

Jaunaudzes atjaunojot, sagatavo t augsni vai stādīšanas vietu jaunajam kokam. Stāvās nogāzēs augsne un ziemā uz tās nobirušās sēklas tiek izskalotas, tāpēcpiemērots risinājums ir stādīšana nevis sēšana. Ielejās augsni sagatavo, veidojot pilskalnu. Latvijas apstākļos pacila ir primāri piemērotāka vieta stādiem, lai izveidotu sausāku vietu, un dubultā, "salocītai" trūdvielu kārtai kā barības vielu avotam   ir sekundāra nozīme. Blakus pacilai esošā bedre ,atkarībā no nokrišņu daudzuma, darbojas kā ūdens uzkrājējs un savācējs, pacilās  saknes veidojas visos virzienos, savukārt vagā galvenokārt paralēli tai. Meža pētīšanas stacijas jaunaudzēs tiek veikts SEG monitorings.

Leteikumi

Vagas ir piemērota stādīšanas vieta sausās, līdzenās vietās,bet  nogāzēs tās darbojas kā mikrogravas, organiskās vielas izskalojas, ūdens atsedz augu saknes. Tāpēc nogāzēs vagas jāveido slīpi, lai samazinātu ūdens kustības ātrumu. Vietās ar nelīdzenu reljefu, pacilu veidošana ir risinājums, kā izveidot piemērotas stādīšanas vietas, mainot piacilas augstumu vai pat stādot skarificētā vietā, kalna galā. Ja gruntsūdens līmenis ir pārāk augsts, saknes ir seklas un pieaugušā vecumā kļūst viegli bojājamas – vēja neizturīgas.

Objective

The impact of planting site creation on soil health - wind and rainwater erosion on slopes and valleys, as well as the importance of planting site type on the growth of planted trees - root system formation and tree survival are topics of the  research in the Mežole region's new foreststands.

Result

Young stands are renewed by preparing the soil orplanting spot for seedling. On steep slopes, the soil and the seeds that have fallen on it in the winter are washed away, there fore plnting is the solution. In valleys, the soil is prepared by forming a mound. In Latvian conditions, a mound is primarily a more suitable place for seedlings to create a drier place, and the double, folded layer of humus as a source of nutrients is of secondary importance. The pit next to the mound acts as a water accumulator and collector, depending on the amount of precipitation, on the mound roots form in all directions, while in the furrow only parallel to it. Monitoring of GHG is carried out in  FRS.

Recommendations

Furrows are a suitable planting site in dry flat areas, on slopes they act as micro-ravines, organic matter washes away, water exposes plant roots. Therefore on slopes furrows should be made obliquely to reduce the speed of water movement. In areas with uneven terrain, mound formation is a solution for creating suitable planting sites by varying the height of the mound, or even planting in a scarified area, on the top of a hill. If the groundwater level is too high, the roots are shallow and become easily damaged in adulthood - wind-unresistant.

Mērķi

Stādījumi izveidoti ar mērķi demonstrēt karjeru rekultivāciju, pēc teritorijas izlīdzināšanas, ierīkojot koku audzes ar dažādām tehnoloģijām un dažādos dizainos. Ilgtermiņā noskaidrot, kādus rezultātus var iegūt, stādot koku sugas ar dažādām prasībām augsnes auglībai un aerācijai, mitruma režīmam. Novērtēt koku augšanu dažādos attālumos ar Nelder apļu modeli

Rezultāti

Barības vielu nodrošināšana ir saistīta ar augsnes mehānisko un mineraloģisko sastāvu. Ja augsne veidojusies, sadaloties granītam, būs nepieciešams fosfors, bet, ja pamatieži ir dolomīts, tad būs nepieciešams kālija mēslojums. Augsnēs, kas veidojas no smilšakmens, parasti ir nepietiekams visu galveno barības vielu daudzums. Kūdras augsnes ir skābas. Lielāks smalko daļiņu daudzums uzlabo elementu pieejamību koku saknēm, palielina mitruma spēju un minerālmēslu adsorbciju. Mežsaimniecībā augsnes analīzes ne vienmēr parāda korelāciju starp barības vielu pieejamību un koku augšanu, tas skaidrojams ar koku un sēņu simbiozi, kas, iespējams, ļauj izmantot vairāk barības vielu; aktīvo barības vielu daudzumu raksturo arī sezonālās svārstības, kas saistītas ar augu patēriņu un mikroorganismu aktivitāti.

Leteikumi

Barības vielu deficīts ir izplatīts augsnēs, kas nav mežs, piemēram, apmežotās marginālās lauksaimniecības zemēs, smilts un grants raktuvēs  un rekultivētos kūdrājos. Tāpēc jau profilaktisi  jāparedzj augsnes uzlabošana un koku stādījumiem piemērotas veģetācijas ierīkošana, lai samazinātu vēja un ūdens erozijas ietekmi. Iestādīto koku mulčēšana arī ir ieteicama.

Objective

The plantations were established with the aim of demonstrating quarry reclamation, after leveling the territory, by establishing tree stands with different technologies in different designs. In the long term, to find out what results can be obtained by planting tree species with different requirements for soil fertility and aeration, moisture regime. to evaluate tree growth at different distances with the Nelder wheel model

Result

The provision of nutrients is related to the mechanical and mineralogical composition of the soil. If the soil was formed by the decomposition of granite, phosphorus will be needed, but if the bedrock is dolomite, then potassium fertilizer will be needed. Soils formed from sandstone usually have insufficient amounts of all major nutrients. Peat soils are acidic. A larger amount of fine particles improves the availability of elements to tree roots, increases moisture capacity and adsorption of mineral fertilizers. In forestry, soil analyses do not always show a correlation between nutrient availability and tree growth, this can be explained by the symbiosis of trees and fungi, which probably allows for the use of more nutrients; the amount of active nutrients is also characterized by seasonal fluctuations related to plant consumption and the activity of microorganisms.

Recommendations

Nutrient deficiencies are common in non-forest soils, such as afforested marginal agricultural lands,gravel and sand   mine, and reclaimed peatlands. Therefore, preventive measures should include soil improvement and the establishment of vegetation suitable for tree plantations to reduce the impact of wind and water erosion. Mulching of planted trees is recommended.

Mērķi

Meža mēslošana jeb koku augšanas apstākļu uzlabošana - nodrošinot optimālus gaismas apstākļus un pietiekamu daudzumu makro un mikroelementu, kā arī augsnes pH, lai augu barības elementi būtu augiem pieejamās formās. Barības vielu deficīta simptomu biežums un intensitāte ir atkarīga no mežaudžu vecuma, augsnes veida, koku sugām un bieži vien arī no mitruma režīma. Mežsaimniekam jāspēj noteikt barības vielu deficīta pazīmes un, ja iespējams, arī jāveic pasākumi augšanas apstākļu uzlabošanai, lai nienestu audzēs koku augšanai nepieciešamos elementus.

Rezultāti

Vispirms ir jāizvēlas attiecīgajiem apstākļiem piemērotas koku sugas. Deficīta situācija ar laiku var veidoties arī sākotnēji pietiekami auglīgās augsnēs, piemēram, egļu audzēs uz kūdras augsnēm, palielinoties koksnes augu biomasai, var izsīkt augsnes kālija rezerves vai, mainoties augšanas apstākļiem (paaugstinās gruntsūdens līmenis),   samazinās augiem pieejamās barības vielu rezerves. Papildu barošanās elementu ieviešanas izmēģinājuma rezultātā koksnes apjoms piecu gadu laikā ir palielinājies par 10-15 m3. Egļu un lapu koku audzēs reakcija novērojama ātrāk nekā priežu audzēs, kas augšanas apstākļu ziņā ir mazāk prasīgas.

Leteikumi

Ja ir augu barības vielu trūkums vai nelīdzsvarotība, mēslojums ir efektīvs risinājums, lai ekosistēmā ienestu trūkstošās barības vielas un nodrošinātu mežaudzē labvēlīgus apstākļus kokaugu attīstībai. Meža mēslošana ir arī efektīvs līdzeklis cilvēku saimnieciskās darbības ietekmes mazināšanai, atgriežot mežā ar kokmateriāliem un biodegvielu izņemtās barības vielas pēc retināšanas, apsaimniekošanas vai atjaunošanas cirtes.

Objective

Forest fertilization, or improving tree growth conditions - ensuring optimal light conditions and sufficient amounts of macro and micro elements as well as soil pH, so that plant nutrients are in forms available to plants. The frequency and intensity of nutrient deficiency symptoms depend on the age of the forest stands, soil type, tree species and, often, also on the moisture regime. The forester must be able to identify signs of nutrient deficiency and, if possible, also take measures to improve growing conditions in order to prevent nutrient deficiency.

Result

First of all, it is necessary to choose tree species suitable for the respective conditions. A deficiency situation can also develop over time in initially sufficiently fertile soils, for example, in spruce stands on peat soils, as the biomass of woody plants increases, soil potassium reserves may be depleted or, as the growth conditions change (the groundwater level rises), the reserves of nutrients available to plants decrease. A pilot trial of the introduction of additional nutritional elements has resulted in an increase in the volume of wood by 10-15 m3 over five years. In spruce and deciduous stands, the response is observed faster than in pine stands, which are less demanding in terms of growth conditions.

Recommendations

If there is a lack or imbalance of plant nutrients, fertilizer is an effective solution to bring missing nutrients into the ecosystem and ensure favorable conditions for the development of woody plants in the forest stand. Forest fertilization is also an effective means of reducing the impact of human economic activity by returning nutrients removed with timber and biofuels to the forest after thinning, management or final felling.

Tikslas

Ivertinti miesto parkų poveikį mikroklimato reguliavimui.

Rezultatas

Miestų parkai paprastai veikia kaip šaltosios salos miestų teritorijose. Jie yra itin svarbūs  subalansuojant betono poveikį miesto klimatui. Tirtame parke temperatūra, palyginti su aplinkinėmis miesto teritorijomis ir vejomis, buvo žemesnė. Tai ypač svarbu vasarą, kai miestų parkai atlieka reikšmingą vaidnenį mikroklimato reguliavime.  

Rekomendacijos

Vietos valdžios institucijoms labai svarbu užtikrinti, kad parkai būtų tinkamai  tvarkomi ir aprūpinti reikalinga infrastruktūra. Šios erdvės suteikia žmonėms galimybę sumažinti karščio keliamą stresą vasaros laikotarpiais, nes tai yra vietos, kuriose gyventojai gali jaustis gerai.

Objective

The objective of this work is to assess the impact of urban parks on microclimate regulation

Result

Urban parks normally function as cold islands in urban areas. They are important to contra balance the impact of concrete in urban climate. In the park studied, the temperature compared with the surrounding urban areas and lawns. This is especially important during the summer, where urban parks have a high importance on microclimate regulation. 

Recommendations

It is key for local authorities that parks be well managed and with the necessary infrastructure to be used. They are places that persons can use to reduce the heat stress during summer periods because they are places where the population can be comfortable. 

Tikslas

Išsiaiškinti vejų tvarkymo poveikį jų teikiamoms ekosisteminėms paslaugoms, t. y. potvynių reguliavimui ir apdulkinimui. 

Rezultatas

Vejos teikia daugybę ekosisteminių paslaugų. Tačiau šie plotai dažnai būna  apleisti.  Be to, yra teritorijų, kurios netinkamai tvarkomos (pvz., labai dažnai šienaujamos), ir vietų, kuriose kaupiasi daug  šiukšlių. Teritorijos, kuriose mažiau šienaujama, o  augmenija yra geresnės kokybės, pasižymi dideliu potvynių reguliavimo ir apdulkinimo gebėjimu.   

Rekomendacijos

Svarbu, kad vietos valdžios institucijos pavasarį ir vasarą sumažintų vejų šienavimo dažnumą , nes dažnas šienavimas gali  sumažinti apdulkinimo ir potvynių reguliavimo galimybes.     

Objective

The objective is to understand the impacts of management on lawns ecosystem services supply, namely flood regulation and pollination. 

Result

Lawns supply a wide range of ecosystem services. These areas are often neglected .  In addition to this, there are areas with an incorrect management (e.g., very frequent mowing) and places where the litter pollution is high. The areas that are less mowed and vegetation has a better quality are the ones that have a high capacity for flood regulation and  pollination.   

Recommendations

It is important that the local authorities reduce the lawns mowing frequency during spring and summer because this can reduce the pollination and flood regulation capacity. 

Tikslas

Dauguma Baltupių sodų yra apsupti individualių namų. Kiti žemės naudojimo būdai apima pievas, parkus arba vejas. Daugelis sodininkų nustojo sodinti vaisius ir daržoves ir įsirengė vejas. Pagrindinės su dirvožemiu susijusios problemos buvo šios: -prastas žemės naudojimas (agrochemikalų naudojimas ir intensyvi gamyba).
-potvynių reguliavimas
-erozija

Rezultatas

Vertinant ekosistemų paslaugas, veja turi mažesnį pajėgumą reguliuoti potvynius, sulaikyti anglį ir reguliuoti eroziją, palyginti su kitais žemės naudojimo būdais. Miesto parkas buvo žemės naudojimo būdas, turintis didžiausią potvynių reguliavimo pajėgumą, o miesto sodai pasižymėjo didžiausia anglies sulaikymo verte

Rekomendacijos

Didinti žemės naudojimą, turinčią didžiausią potvynių reguliavimo pajėgumą ir didžiausias anglies sulaikymo vertes, pavyzdžiui, veją arba miesto parko žemę.

Objective

Most of gardens in Baltupiai are surrounded by individual houses. Other land uses are grassland, park or lawn.  Many gardeners have stopped planting fruits and vegetables and arranged lawns.  The main issues identified with soil were:
-Poor land use (use of agrochemicals and intensive production)
-flooding regulation
-Erosion

Result

Translating this information in ecosystems services assessment, the lawn has a lower capacity for flood regulation, carbon sequestration and erosion regulation than the other land uses. Urban park was the land use with the highest capacity for flood regulation, and urban gardens had the highest values of carbon sequestration.

Recommendations

Increase the use of land with highest capacitiy for flood regulation and highest values of carbon sequestration, for example the lawn or urban park land. 

Cilj 

Različite načini korištenja zemljišta u zagrebačkim periurbanim područjima utječu na kvalitetu tla i usluge ekosustava. Poljoprivredna praksa u Zagrebu povijesno je uključivala veliku upotrebu pesticida, uzak plodored i nedostatak organskih gnojiva, što je dovelo do narušavanja strukture tla kroz neodrživu zbijenost i eroziju, posebno u praškastim tlima poput Stagnosola. Ova studija imala je za cilj istražiti prakse održivog korištenja zemljišta koje mogu obnoviti zdravlje tla i povećati otpornost na klimatske ekstreme. Analizirana su svojstva tla pod usjevima, travnjacima, napuštenim poljoprivrednim zemljištima, voćnjacima i šumama kako bi se razumio njihov utjecaj na funkcionalnost tla i usluge ekosustava, posebno za kontrolu poplava i skladištenje ugljika.

Rezultati

Otkrivene su značajne razlike među načinima korištenja zemljišta. Uzorkovanje tla pokazalo je da šume i travnjaci imaju najbolju strukturu tla, s visokom poroznošću, konzervacijom vode i zalihama organskog ugljika. Voćnjaci s malčiranjem i bez obrade imali su umjereno dobre rezultate, dok su intenzivno gospodarene oranice imala veću zbijenost, slabiju konzervaciju vode i smanjenu pohranu organskog ugljika. Šume i travnjaci zabilježili su veću stopu infiltracije i stabilnu strukturu agregata, dok su oranice pod usjevima patili od zbijenosti i općenito niže funkcionalnosti tla. Ova degradacija utječe na bitne usluge ekosustava u periurbanim regijama.

Preporuke

Kako bi poboljšali kvalitetu oraničnog tla pod usjevima, poljoprivrednici bi trebali razmotriti prakse s malim utjecajem poput malčiranja, trajne vegetacije i konzervacijske obrade tla. Očuvanje šumskih i travnjačkih zemljišta pospješiti će ublažavanje poplava i skladištenje ugljika. Tradicionalne prakse gospodarenja voćnjacima također nude model za održivo korištenje zemljišta, poboljšavajući zdravlje tla i smanjujući rizike od poplava. Redovito praćenje tla i prilagodljivo gospodarenje ključni su za održivo korištenje zemljištem.

Objective

Different land uses in Zagreb peri-urban areas affect soil quality and ecosystem services. Agricultural practices in Zagreb historically included heavy pesticide use, narrow crop rotation and absent of organic fertilizers, leading to soil structural deterioration manifested in unsustainable soil compaction, and erosion, especially in silty soils like Stagnosols. This case study aimed to explore sustainable land use practices that can restore soil health and increase resilience to climate extremes. Soil properties in cropland, grassland, abandoned agricultural, orchard, and forest areas were analyzed to understand their impact on soil functionality and ecosystem services, particularly for flood control and carbon storage.
 

Result

Findings reveal significant differences among land uses. Soil sampling showed that forests and grasslands have the best soil structure, with high porosity, water retention, and organic carbon stocks. Orchards with mulch and no-tillage performed moderately well, while intensive managed croplands had more compacted soils, lower water retention, and reduced organic carbon. Forest and grassland areas exhibited higher infiltration rates and stable aggregate structure, while croplands suffered from compaction and reduced soil functionality. This degradation impacts essential ecosystem services in peri-urban regions.
 

Recommendations

To enhance soil quality in croplands, farmers should consider low-impact practices like mulching, permanent vegetation, and conservation tillage. Preserving forested and grassland areas will support flood mitigation and carbon sequestration. Traditional orchard management practices also offer a model for sustainable land use, enhancing soil health and mitigating flood risks. Regular soil monitoring and adaptive management are critical for sustainable land use. These efforts will promote ecosystem resilience, improve soil structure, and provide long-term benefits for both agriculture and the environment.
 

Cilj

Zagrebačka šumska i travnjačka tla sve više su zbijana, sa slabom stabilnošću strukture i podložna su eroziji, što je uzrokovano i prenamjenom prirodne vegetacije u poljoprivredna zemljišta. Cilj je implementirati prakse održivog gospodarenja tlom za šumska i napuštena poljoprivredna zemljišta kako bi se očuvala bioraznolikost, poboljšala struktura tla i povećalo skladištenje ugljika.

Rezultati

Uzorkovanje tla i praćenje utjecaja različitih načina korištenja zemljišta, uključujući šume (asocijacija Quercus petraea i Robinia pseudoacacia), napuštena poljoprivredna zemljišta i travnjake, sugeriraju na pozitivne rezultate primjene modela održivog gospodarenja. Šumsko zemljište pokazalo je najveću stabilnost agregata, a šumska i travnjačka tla imala su superiorne stope infiltracije vode. Zbijenost tla bila je značajno manja u tim područjima nego na intenzivno gospodarenom poljoprivrednom zemljištu. Emisije CO2 bile su najveće u travnjacima, što ukazuje na aktivno kruženje ugljika. Ovi rezultati potvrđuju da smanjeno narušavanje tla i prirodni procesi u šumama mogu uvelike poboljšati zdravlje tla.

Preporuke

Osobe koje gospodare zemljištem trebali bi se usredotočiti na minimalno narušavanje tla u šumama i napuštenim poljoprivrednim zemljištima. Promicanjem prirodne razgradnje stabala i lišća pospješit će se   struktura tla, povećati infiltracija vode i biološka raznolikost. Osim toga, malčiranje i trajni vegetacijski pokrov na travnjacima mogu dodatno pospješiti zdravlje tla. Te će prakse pridonijeti u održavanju dugoročne stabilnosti ekosustava, poboljšati plodnost tla i potaknuti napore vezane za skladištenjem ugljika, što će pogodovati očuvanju okolišu.

Objective

Zagreb’s forest and grassland soils face challenges of compaction, erosion, and poor structural stability, exacerbated by the conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural land. The aim is to implement sustainable soil management practices for forested and abandoned agricultural lands to preserve biodiversity, improve soil structure, and increase carbon sequestration.

Result

Soil sampling and monitoring across various land uses, including Quercus petraea and Robinia pseudoacacia forests, abandoned agricultural lands, and grasslands, demonstrated positive outcomes from the application of sustainable management practices. Forest land use showed the highest water-stable aggregate values, and both forest and grassland areas had superior infiltration rates. Soil compaction was significantly lower in these areas than in intensively managed agricultural land, and CO2 emissions were highest in grasslands, indicating active carbon cycling. These results suggest that reducing soil disturbance and allowing natural decay in forested areas can greatly enhance soil health.

Recommendations

Land managers should focus on minimizing soil disturbance in forests and abandoned agricultural lands. Allowing natural tree and leaf decay can improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, and support biodiversity. Additionally, mulching and permanent vegetation cover in grasslands can further enhance soil health. These practices will help maintain long-term ecosystem stability, improve soil fertility, and boost carbon sequestration efforts, benefiting the environment.

Cilj

U Zagrebu je poljoprivredna praksa desetljećima ostala nepromijenjena, uz raširenu primjenu pesticida, mineralnih gnojiva i uz minimalni monitoring stanja tla. To je rezultiralo narušavanjem zdravlja tla, zbijanjem tla, erozijom i lošom strukturom tla, osobito u stagnosolima. Izazov je razviti i primijeniti održive poljoprivredne prakse koje se bave ovim problemima, a da istovremeno pospješuju zdravlje i otpornost tla u periurbanim poljoprivrednim područjima.

Rezultati

Prakse gospodarenja tlom, uključujući malčiranje, stalni travnati pokrov i minimalna poremetnja tla, uvedene su u voćnjake jabuka i travnjake. Preliminarni rezultati uzorkovanja tla otkrivaju poboljšanu retenciju vode u tlu na travnjacima u usporedbi s drugim načinima korištenja zemljišta, veću zbijenost na tlima pod jednogodišnjim usjevima i manju zbijenost u šumskom zemljištu. Infiltracija i stabilnost agregata bila je veća u šumskim i travnjačkim tlima, što ukazuje na bolju strukturu tla i smanjen rizik od erozije. Skladištenje ugljika i emisije CO2 također se pomno prate i najviše su zabilježene u tlima pod travnjacima.

Preporuke

Poljoprivrednici mogu usvojiti metode gospodarenja tlom s malim negativnim utjecajem na tlo, kao što su malčiranje i trajni vegetacijski pokrov, kako bi poboljšali zdravlje tla, retenciju vlage i skladištenje ugljika. Ove prakse mogu smanjiti zbijanje, eroziju i potrebu za kemijskim inputima. Provedbom ovih mjera poboljšat će se otpornost tla, povećati kapacitet za ublažavanje poplava i osigurati održivije korištenje zemljišta u periurbanim područjima. Redovito praćenje stanja tla također je ključno za prilagodbu agrotehničkih praksi na temelju sezonskih varijacija i u odnosu na načine korištenja zemljišta.

Objective

In Zagreb, agricultural practices have remained unchanged for decades, with widespread use of pesticides, mineral fertilizers, and minimal soil monitoring. This has led to poor soil health, compaction, erosion, and weak structural stability, particularly in stagnosols. The challenge is to develop and implement sustainable agricultural practices that address these issues while enhancing soil health and resilience in peri-urban agricultural areas.

Result

Soil management practices, including mulching, permanent grass cover, and low soil disturbance, have been introduced in apple orchards and grasslands. Preliminary results from soil sampling reveal improved soil water retention in grasslands compared to other land uses, with higher compaction in cropland and lower compaction in forested areas. Infiltration rates and water-stable aggregates were higher in forest and grassland areas, indicating better soil structure and reduced erosion risk. Carbon storage and CO2 emissions are also being closely monitored, with emissions highest in grasslands.

Recommendations

Farmers can adopt low-impact soil management techniques, such as mulching and permanent vegetation cover, to improve soil health, water retention, and carbon sequestration. These practices can reduce compaction, erosion, and the need for chemical inputs. Implementing these measures will enhance soil resilience, increase flood mitigation capacity, and ensure more sustainable land use in peri-urban areas. Regular soil monitoring is also crucial for adjusting practices based on seasonal and land-use variations.

Objetivo

Los tecnosoles producidos para la remediación de la mina de Touro incluyen componentes como cenizas de la combustión de biomasa de desechos leñosos, producida por la planta de pulpa de la fábrica de ENCE, junto con lodos de depuradora, geles de aluminio residuales de las industrias de extrusión de aluminio, desechos de conchas de mejillón, biomasa triturada y relleno de la trituración de anfibolita y esquisto para obtener agregados para carreteras.

Resultado

Por sí solos, la mayoría de estos componentes podrían ser tóxicos, pero mezclados en la proporción adecuada forman tecnosoles capaces de promover el crecimiento de las plantas y acelerar la revegetación en áreas degradadas. Estos tecnosoles pueden aplicarse en la restauración de suelos degradados, en la agricultura y en el paisajismo. Esta tecnología presenta una alternativa sostenible para reemplazar los fertilizantes solubles.

Recomendaciones

La producción de tecnosuelos implica un proceso científico de análisis de las propiedades de los residuos que se utilizan, así como de la composición de los terrenos intervenidos. Por ello, debe partir de la colaboración entre diferentes agentes sociales, buscando crear sinergias entre universidades, industrias y propietarios de terrenos. Las agencias públicas de desarrollo podrían facilitar estas conexiones promoviendo investigaciones y proyectos compartidos entre universidades e industria.

Objective

Technosols produced for remediating Touro’s mine included components such as ashes from  combustion of woody debris biomass, produced by the pulp mill from the ENCE factory,  together with sewage sludge, residual aluminum gels from aluminum extrusion industries, mussel shell waste, crushed biomass and filler from crushing amphibolite and schist to obtain road aggregates

Result

On their own, most of these components could be toxic, but adequately mixed in the right proportion make a technosols capable of promoting plant growth and accelerate revegetation in degraded area. These technosols can be applied in the restoration of degraded soils, in agriculture, and in landscaping. This technology presents a sustainable alternative to replace soluble fertilizers,
reduce the use of pesticides, restore degraded areas, and provide an environmentally sound
destination for both urban and industrial organic and inorganic waste.

Recommendations

The production of technosoils involves a scientific process of analysis on the properties of the residues that are used, as well as the composition of the land intervened. Therefore, it has to raise from the collaboration between different social agents, looking to create synergies between universities, industries and land owners. Public development agencies could facilitate these connections by promoting research and shared projects between universities and the industry. 

Objetivo

El drenaje ácido de la mina Touro, causado por la oxidación de sulfuros, provocó una grave contaminación del agua, con un pH extremadamente bajo y altos niveles de sulfatos y metales pesados. En este resumen se analiza la construcción de un humedal reactivo artificial para mejorar la calidad del agua y restaurar el ecosistema acuático.

Resultado

Desde la creación del humedal reactivo en 2002, las aguas hiperácidas de la mina han sido tratadas con tecnosoles especializados, logrando neutralizar el pH (valores cercanos a 7) y reducir significativamente los niveles de sulfato y aluminio. Para 2008, el sistema era autosostenible, lo que permitió la reaparición de insectos acuáticos, anfibios y aves. Además, el ecosistema acuático se estabilizó, completándose la cadena alimentaria con el regreso de depredadores como las aves rapaces.

Recomendaciones

Los humedales reactivos con tecnosoles son una solución eficaz para el tratamiento de aguas hiperácidas en zonas mineras, restaurando no sólo la calidad del agua sino también la biodiversidad. Esta técnica puede aplicarse en otros sitios mineros afectados por drenaje ácido. Se recomienda el monitoreo regular de las condiciones de Eh-pH y los ajustes en la composición de los tecnosoles para maximizar la retención de sulfatos y metales pesados, asegurando la sostenibilidad del ecosistema acuático recuperado.

Objective

Acid mine drainage from the Touro mine, caused by the oxidation of sulfides, resulted in severe water contamination, with extremely low pH and high levels of sulfates and heavy metals. This abstract discusses the construction of an artificial reactive wetland to improve water quality and restore the aquatic ecosystem.

Result

Since the creation of the reactive wetland in 2002, the hyperacidic waters from the mine have been treated using specialized technosols, successfully neutralizing pH (values close to 7) and significantly reducing sulfate and aluminum levels. By 2008, the system was self-sustaining, allowing the reappearance of aquatic insects, amphibians, and birds. Furthermore, the aquatic ecosystem stabilized, with the food chain completed by the return of predators such as birds of prey.

Recommendations

Reactive wetlands with technosols are an effective solution for treating hyperacidic waters in mining areas, restoring not only water quality but also biodiversity. This technique can be applied in other mining sites affected by acid drainage. Regular monitoring of Eh-pH conditions and adjustments in the composition of technosols are recommended to maximize sulfate and heavy metal retention, ensuring the sustainability of the recovered aquatic ecosystem.

Objetivo

La mina Touro, explotada para la extracción de cobre entre 1974 y 1988, sufrió una degradación extrema del suelo, que dejó suelos hiperácidos y sin vegetación. La rápida oxidación de sulfuros y la contaminación de los ríos cercanos fueron los principales problemas ambientales. En este resumen se aborda el uso de tecnosoles para la rehabilitación de suelos y la reactivación de procesos biológicos en la zona afectada.

Resultado

Los tecnosoles, elaborados a partir de la mezcla de desechos inorgánicos y orgánicos (como conchas de mejillones y cenizas de biomasa), neutralizaron con éxito la acidez del suelo y restauraron la actividad biológica en una antigua mina de cobre. A lo largo de 23 años, las áreas tratadas han desarrollado una vegetación diversa (pinos, eucaliptos y especies nativas) y fauna local como conejos, zorros y aves rapaces. Además, estos suelos demostraron una alta capacidad de retención de carbono (con >12% de carbono orgánico en horizontes superficiales), lo que contribuye a la mitigación del cambio climático.

Recomendaciones

La aplicación de tecnosoles en áreas mineras degradadas puede ser una solución eficaz para restaurar la fertilidad del suelo y promover el crecimiento de la flora y fauna nativas. Para lograr resultados óptimos, es fundamental seleccionar materiales adecuados que reduzcan la oxidación de sulfuros y aporten los nutrientes necesarios para reactivar la biota del suelo. Esta técnica es replicable en otras minas con condiciones similares y contribuye a la sostenibilidad ecológica a largo plazo.

Objective

The Touro mine, exploited for copper extraction between 1974 and 1988, experienced extreme soil degradation, leaving behind hyperacidic soils with no vegetation. The rapid oxidation of sulfides and contamination of nearby rivers were the main environmental issues. This abstract addresses the use of technosols for soil rehabilitation and the reactivation of biological processes in the affected area.

Result

Technosols, made from mixtures of inorganic and organic waste (such as mussel shells and biomass ash), successfully neutralized soil acidity and restored biological activity. Over 23 years, the treated areas have developed diverse vegetation (pines, eucalyptus, and native species) and local fauna such as rabbits, foxes, and birds of prey. Additionally, these soils demonstrated a high capacity for carbon retention (with >12% organic carbon in surface horizons), contributing to climate change mitigation.

Recommendations

The application of technosols in degraded mining areas can be an effective solution to restore soil fertility and promote the growth of native flora and fauna. To achieve optimal results, it is essential to select suitable materials that reduce sulfide oxidation and provide the necessary nutrients to reactivate soil biota. This technique is replicable in other mines with similar conditions and contributes to long-term ecological sustainability.

Objetivo

Los relaves y suelos mineros ricos en metales dificultan el desarrollo de organismos, reduciendo la funcionalidad edáfica y los servicios ecosistémicos. Para recuperar estos suelos, se implementó una estrategia sostenible basada en fitostabilización asistida y Tecnosoles. El objetivo fue crear Tecnosoles combinados con fitostabilización (plantas tolerantes a metales) para mejorar la salud del suelo y aumentar la diversidad de bacterias y hongos. La recuperación utilizó materiales orgánicos (purines y estiércol) e inorgánicos (relaves y residuos de mármol). Se introdujeron Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa y Hyparrhenia hirta.

Resultado

Los suelos mineros sin rehabilitar mostraron una biomasa microbiana tan baja que fue imposible extraer suficiente ADN para caracterizar la composición de las comunidades. Con Tecnosoles y fitoestabilización asistida, la biomasa microbiana aumentó, permitiendo extraer ADN y analizar la comunidad. El índice de Shannon fue 9,81 para bacterias y 4,57 para hongos. Los géneros bacterianos dominantes fueron Sphingomonas, Dongia, Vicinamibacteraceae y Streptomyces. Los géneros fúngicos dominantes fueron Thelephora, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Hygrocybe, Pisolithus y Talaromyces. La biomasa microbiana total, expresada como ácidos grasos fosfolípídicos totales extraídos de las membranas celulares, fue de 2.75 nmol/g en los suelos mineros no recuperados, y aumentó a 13.00 nmol/g en el Tecnosol. Por lo tanto, la biomasa microbiana y la diversidad bacteriana y fúngica aumentaron con la estrategia de recuperación.

Recomendaciones

El uso de Tecnosoles creados con residuos de mármol (carbonato de calcio), purines/estiércol y relaves,  combinado junto con la fitostabilización asistida, es una estrategia eficiente para la recuperación de depósitos de relaves con el fin de incrementar la biomasa y diversidad microbiana, necesario para restablecer las funciones del suelo. 
 

Objective

Mine tailings and metal-rich soils limit soil organisms' abundance and diversity, reducing soil functionality and ecosystem services. To address this, a sustainable reclamation strategy using aided phytostabilization and Technosols was implemented. The main goal was to create artificial soils (Technosols) combined with phytostabilization (introduction of heavy metal-tolerant plants) to improve soil health and enhance bacterial and fungal diversity. The reclamation involved creating Technosols using organic (slurry, manure) and inorganic (tailings, marble waste) materials. Key species introduced included Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa, and Hyparrhenia hirta.

Result

Unreclaimed tailings showed such a low microbial biomass, that was impossible to extract DNA at the required quantities to characterize the composition of microbial communities. However, the use of Technosols associated to aided phytostabilisation led to an increase in microbial biomass, so DNA could be extracted, and microbial community characterised. The bacterial Shannon Index was 9.81 and fungal Shannon Index was 4.57. Dominant bacterial genera were Sphingomonas, Dongia, Vicinamibacteraceae and Streptomyces. Dominant fungal genera Thelephora, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Thichoderma, Hygrocybe, Pisolithus and Talaromyces. Total microbial biomass, expressed as total phopholipid fatty acids extracted from cell membranes, was 2.75 nmol/g in the unreclaimed tailing soil, and increased to 13.00 nmol/g in the Technosol. Thus, microbial biomass and bacterial and fungal diversity increased with the reclamation strategy.       

Recommendations

Using Technosols created with marble waste (calcium carbonate), pig slurry/manure and tailings, and its combintation with aided phytostabilisation is an efficient strategy to reclaim tailings ponds in order to increase soil microbial biomass and diversity, vital to reestablish soil functinality. 

Objetivo

Los residuos de actividades mineras y metalúrgicas han causado graves daños al suelo, agua, paisaje, atmósfera y biota. Para mitigarlos, se crearon Tecnosoles con materiales orgánicos (purines y estiércol) e inorgánicos (relaves y residuos de mármol). Se introdujeron Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa y Hyparrhenia hirta. Además de mejorar la salud del suelo, la intervención contribuyó al secuestro de CO₂, mitigando el cambio climático; mejoró la regulación hídrica, reduciendo la erosión; y aumentó oportunidades recreativas mediante un paisaje rehabilitado. Se busca asignar valor económico a estos servicios intangibles para destacar su importancia social y ambiental.

Resultado

El uso de Tecnosoles y de la fitoestabilización resultó en un aumento del secuestro de carbono en el suelo de 5,5 toneladas CO2 por hectárea al año, lo que, en términos monetarios, equivale a 79,31€ anuales para la superficie total intervenida (1,4 hectáreas). Además, se incrementó la capacidad de absorción de agua en 40m3 por hectárea al año, valorado en 4,69€ anuales; y se registró un aumento de 1910 visitantes anuales, lo que se estima que tiene un valor económico de 12.728€ al año. En conjunto, el valor económico generado por la mejora en la provisión de servicios ecosistémicos asciende a 12,812€ al año. En un escenario de vida útil ilimitada, considerando un tipo de interés de bajo riesgo del 2,24% (bono alemán a 10 años) y una tasa de inflación estable del 2% (objetivo de política monetaria del BCE), este valor anual actualizado al presente equivale a 299.010,54€.

Recomendaciones

El uso de Tecnosoles y fitostabilización para rehabilitar depósitos de relaves mineros mejora la salud del suelo y genera beneficios adicionales: secuestro de CO2, absorción de agua y creación de un paisaje recreativo. Estos servicios ecosistémicos de no mercado poseen un valor económico que puede ser cuantificado, lo cual es crucial para reflejar su importancia social y ambiental.

Objective

The environmental impact of mining waste has severely damaged soil, water, landscapes, atmosphere, and biota. An intervention created artificial soils using organic and inorganic materials. Key species introduced were Piptatherum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa, and Hyparrhenia hirta. Beyond soil health improvement, the intervention boosts ecosystem services like CO2 sequestration for climate mitigation, water absorption to enhance regulation and curb erosion, and recreational opportunities via a rehabilitated landscape. This work aims to assign economic value to these non-market services, emphasizing their societal and environmental importance.

Result

The use of Tecnosols and the phytostabilization technique resulted in an increase in soil carbon sequestration of 5.5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, which, in monetary terms, equates to €79.31 annually for the total area intervened (1.4 hectares). Additionally, water absorption capacity was increased by 40m³ per hectare per year, valued at €4.69 annually; and an increase of 1,910 annual visitors was recorded, estimated generate an economic value of €12,728 per year. Overall, the economic value generated by the enhancement in ecosystem service provision amounts to €12,812 annually. In a scenario with unlimited lifespan, considering a low-risk interest rate of 2.24% (10-year German bond) and a stable inflation rate of 2% (ECB monetary policy target), this annual value, discounted to present terms, amounts to €299,010.54.

Recommendations

The use of Technosols and phytostabilization to rehabilitate mine tailings improves soil health and generates additional benefits, such as CO2 sequestration, water absorption, and the creation of a recreational landscape. These non-market ecosystem services have an economic value that can be quantified, which is essential for highlighting their social and environmental significance.

Objetivo

La contaminación de áreas mineras por erosión hídrica y eólica afecta ciudades, zonas recreativas y tierras agrícolas. La exposición crónica a contaminantes suspendidos provenientes de relaves genera riesgos para la salud de las poblaciones cercanas. Dadas las limitaciones del suelo, se implementó una estrategia sostenible basada en fitostabilización asistida y Tecnosoles. El objetivo fue crear Tecnosoles asociados a fitostabilización (plantas tolerantes a metales pesados) para reducir contaminantes metálicos en relaves y evitar su dispersión. La recuperación usó materiales orgánicos (purines y estiércol) e inorgánicos (relaves y residuos de mármol). Se introdujeron Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa y Hyparrhenia hirta.

Resultado

El uso de Tecnosoles asociado a la fitostabilización asistida condujo a una disminución del 95-99% de la disponibilidad de metales (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) y metaloides (As) en el suelo, reduciendo la toxicidad para el desarrollo de las plantas y los riesgos de transporte por lixiviación o erosión. Esto se debe al aumento del pH mediante la creación del Tecnosol con la adición de carbonato de calcio para amortiguar el pH del suelo (valores alrededor de 7) y la presencia de especies vegetales capaces de inmovilizar metales y metaloides en su rizosfera y raíces, como Piptaterum miliaceum o Hyparrhenia hirta.

Recomendaciones

El uso de Tecnosoles creados con residuos de mármol (carbonato de calcio), purines/estiércol y relaves,  combinado junto con la fitostabilización asistida, es una estrategia eficiente para la recuperación de depósitos de relaves con el fin de reducir la contaminación del suelo por metales pesados y metaloides.

Objective

Pollution dispersion from the mining area by water and wind erosion also reaches cities, recreative areas and even croplands. The chronic exposure to polluted airborne pollutants from tailings can lead to health risks for the surrounding populations.Considering the limiting conditions of the soils it was essential to realize a sustainable alternative for the reclamation of mining sites using the strategy of aided phytostabilization and Technosols. Thus,t he main objective of this interventaion is the creation of artificial soils (Technosols) associated to aided phytostabilization techniques (introduction of heavy metal-tolerant plants) to reduce the availability of metal pollutants in tailings ponds to avoid their dispersion through erosion. The reclamation so consisted of the creation of Technosols by the use of organic (slurry and manure) and inorganic (tailings and marble waste) materials. Main species introduced were Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa, or Hyparrhenia hirta.

Result

The use of Technosols associated to aided phytostabilisation led to a decreased of 95-99% of the availability of metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) and metaloids (As) in the soil, reducing toxicity for plant development and risks for transportation by leaching or erosion. This has been due to the increase in pH by the creation of the Technosol with the addition of calcium carbonate to buffer soil pH (values around 7) and the presence of plant species able to immobilise metals and metalloids in their rhizosphere and roots such as Piptaterum miliaceum or Hyparrhenia hirta.

Recommendations

Using Technosols created with marble waste (calcium carbonate), pig slurry/manure and tailings, and its combintation with aided phytostabilisation is an efficient strategy to reclaim tailings ponds in order to decrease soil pollution by heavy metals and metalloids. 

Objetivo

El impacto ambiental de los desechos mineros y metalúrgicos afecta suelo, agua, paisaje, atmósfera y biota, siendo la erosión el mayor riesgo. Este proyecto busca crear suelos artificiales (Technosols) y aplicar fitostabilización asistida (plantas tolerantes a metales pesados) para mejorar suelos en relaves y establecer vegetación nativa. Se usaron materiales orgánicos (purines y estiércol) e inorgánicos (relaves y desechos de mármol). Se introdujeron Piptatherum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa y Hyparrhenia hirta.

Resultado

El uso de Tecnosoles y la técnica de fitostabilización condujo a un aumento en la salud del suelo, con el desarrollo de la vegetación introducida por plantación y también la colonización espontánea de especies nativas de los alrededores, logrando una cobertura vegetal de gramíneas y arbustos de alrededor del 50%, en comparación con la ausencia total de vegetación antes de la recuperación. Esto se debió a aumentos en el pH de 4 a 7 gracias a los Tecnosoles, con disminuciones en la conductividad eléctrica del suelo (salinidad) de 2,5 dS/m a 1,5 dS/m. El carbono orgánico del suelo aumentó de 0,93 g/kg a 7,93 g/kg. El nitrógeno total aumentó de 0,00 g/kg a 0,28 g/kg, el fósforo disponible de 0,00 mg/kg a 11,50 mg/kg, y el potasio intercambiable de 4 cmol/kg a 34 cmol/kg. La estructura del suelo también mejoró con un mayor diámetro de agregados estables, y la biomasa microbiana aumentó de 2 ng/kg a 14 ng/kg. Así, todos los indicadores de salud del suelo mejoraron con la estrategia de recuperación, lo que permitió el crecimiento de una cubierta vegetal nativa.

Recomendaciones

El uso de Tecnosoles mediante la mezcla de diferentes materiales, como residuos de mármol o purines y estiércol, asociado a la plantación de vegetación resistente a metales pesados, es una estrategia eficaz para mejorar la salud del suelo y promover el desarrollo de vegetación nativa en relaves metálicos abandonados.

Objective

The environmental impact caused by waste from mining and metallurgical activities has led to significant negative effects on soil, water resources, landscape, atmosphere, and biota. The risk of erosion by water and wind is the most critical environmental issue due to its implications. The main objective of this intervention is the creation of artificial soils (Technosols) combined with aided phytostabilization techniques (introduction of heavy metal-tolerant plants) to improve soil health in tailings ponds and enable the development of a native vegetation cover. The reclamation involved creating Technosols using organic (slurry and manure) and inorganic (tailings and marble waste) materials. Key species introduced included Piptaterum miliaceum, Salvia rosmarinus, Dittrichia viscosa, and Hyparrhenia hirta.

Result

The adoption of Technosols and phytostabilization techniques led to an increase in soil health, promoting the development of the planted vegetation and the introduction of native species from the surroundings, achieving a vegetation cover of grasses and shrubs of around 50%, compared to the complete absence of vegetation before reclamation. This improvement was due to increases in pH from 4 to 7, decreases in soil electrical conductivity (salinity) from 2.5 dS/m to 1.5 dS/m, increases in soil organic carbon from 0.93 g/kg to 7.93 g/kg, total nitrogen from 0.00 g/kg to 0.28 g/kg, available phosphorus from 0.00 mg/kg to 11.50 mg/kg, and exchangeable potassium from 4 cmol/kg to 34 cmol/kg. Soil structure improved with larger stable aggregates, and microbial biomass increased from 2 ng/kg to 14 ng/kg. 

Recommendations

The use of Technosols by the mixture of different materials  as marble waste or pig slurry and manure ensures, associated to the plantation of heavy metal resistant vegetation can is an effective strategy to enhance soil health and promote the development of native vegetation in abandoned metallic tailings. 

Objetivo

El redileo es una práctica ancestral en la que, de manera itinerante, se confina a los animales en corrales móviles durante la pernocta o el sesteo con el objetivo de fertilizar los suelos y, potencialmente, mejorar los pastos, controlar los matorrales y proteger a los animales de depredadores. 

Resultado

La finca El Baldío en Talaván, Cáceres, es una dehesa, sistema agrosilvopastoral mediterráneo con herbáceas perennes, quercíneas y de uso ganadero, en la que se implementa redileo de ovejas, combinado con pastoreo rotacional desde 2022. Los resultados obtenidos para 2 indicadores (índice de diversidad de especies vegetales y % de suelo desnudo) en 2 zonas con manejos diferentes dentro de la misma finca, se muestran en la siguiente tabla.

Es llamativa la disminución de suelo desnudo en la zona de redileo, y el aumento en la zona de manejo convencional a lo largo de 5 años.

En las fotografías se muestra el impacto de una noche de redileo en el control del matorral, por pisoteo y depredación. 
 

Recomendaciones

-Los corrales o rediles se realizan con cancillas metálicas o malla eléctrica. Las cancillas metálicas son más resistentes y seguras, pero más difíciles de trasladar. La malla eléctrica es más rápida de instalar y permite abaratar costes, pero pueden ocurrir caídas de tensión si el suelo está seco o el matorral es muy elevado. 
-La superficie del redil dependerá del número de animales. Se suele calcular una superficie de 1-2m2 por oveja.
-El corral se moverá cada 3-4 días de media a zonas adyacentes. Se evitará en cualquier caso que el ganado permanezca sobre terreno encharcado.
-Se recomienda compaginar la práctica con manejos adecuados del pastoreo, asegurando el descanso de la parcela redileada hasta la recuperación de las plantas.

Objective

Penning is an ancient practice in which livestock are confined to mobile pens during the night or siesta in an itinerant manner, with the goal of fertilizing the soil and potentially improving pastures, controlling shrubs, and protecting animals from predators.

Result

Finca El Baldío, located in Talaván, Cáceres, is a dehesa, a Mediterranean agro-silvopastoral system with perennial herbs, oaks, and livestock use, where sheep penning has been combined with rotational grazing since 2022. The results obtained for 2 indicators (vegetal species diversity index and % bare soil) across 2 zones with different management practices within the same farm are shown in the table below.

Recommendations

 -The pens are made with metal gates or electric mesh. Metal gates are more durable and secure but are more difficult to move. Electric mesh is quicker to install and reduces costs but may suffer voltage drops if the ground is dry or the shrubbery is too tall.
-The size of the pen depends on the number of animals. A surface area of 1-2m² per sheep is typically calculated.
-The pen will be moved every 3-4 days on average to adjacent areas. It is essential to avoid leaving livestock on waterlogged land.
-It is recommended to combine this practice with appropriate grazing management, ensuring the rest period of the penned area until plant recovery occurs.

Objetivo

El principal objetivo de la bomba de carbono es reducir la degradación del suelo relacionada con la desertificación, conservando e incrementando las reservas de carbono orgánico del suelo. Los herbívoros desempeñan un papel fundamental en el mantenimiento de los parámetros adecuados para la salud del suelo. Gracias al pastoreo controlado se activa el circuito de descomposición de nutrientes necesario para mejorar la salud del suelo. 

Resultado

El almacenamiento de carbono aumenta la fertilidad y la calidad del suelo. Por medio del pastoreo rotacional se pone en funcionamiento la "bomba de carbono". Este sistema emula un sistema de bombeo que incrementa la disponibilidad de carbono y nutrientes en la dinámica del ciclo edáfico. Los herbívoros se comen la vegetación, lo que altera el crecimiento de las plantas y favorece la descomposición de las raíces, transformando los residuos en carbono orgánico y liberando nutrientes. De esta forma se reactiva el ciclo de crecimiento. La gestión del pastoreo es esencial para favorecer el equilibrio del sistema. 

Recomendaciones

Para maximizar los beneficios medioambientales y la producción es importante realizar pulsos de pastoreo cortos e intensos:
1.- Es necesario dividir las parcelas para llevar a cabo el pastoreo rotativo y el racionamiento
2.- Una alta densidad de ganado y tiempos de pastoreo no superiores a tres días, seguidos de largos periodos de descanso, permiten la recuparación de la vegetación y el suelo
3.-El tiempo de recuperación es clave y varía según las condiciones climáticas y el contexto de cada explotación

Objective

The main objective is to reduce land degradation related to desertification and to conserve and increase soil organic carbon reserves. Based on the premise that herbivores play a key role in maintaining adequate parameters for soil health, controlled grazing is used to activate the nutrient decomposition circuit necessary for healthy soil.

Result

Carbon storage increased fertility and quality of soil through herbivores  rotational grazing and its "carbon pump". The “carbon pump” emulates a pumping system to increase the availability of carbon and nutrients in the edaphic cycle dynamics. Herbivores eat the grass which alter plant growth and promotes roots decomposition that transform the residues into organic carbon and give some nutrients off. This availability reactivates a cycle of growth. The grazing management is essential to favour the balance of the system. 

Recommendations

To maximise environmental and production benefits, we should promote short and intense grazing pulses:
1-It is advisable to divide the plots to carry out rotational grazing and rationing
2.- In adittion, high animal density and grazing times of no more than 3 days-followed by extended rest times-allow plant and soil recovery
3.-Time recovery is key and vary according to climatic conditions and the particular context of each farm

Objetivo

En el bosque Mediterráneo, la salud del suelo se ve frecuentemente comprometida debido al escaso crecimiento vegetativo, la falta de humedad y condiciones de temperatura  poco favorables para la actividad microbiológica. La continua degradación del suelo y la desertificación suponen un reto para esta actividad. Este documento muestra cómo el pastoreo rotacional puede mitigar estos problemas mejorando las condiciones del suelo.

Resultado

El pastoreo rotacional en la silvicultura mediterránea ha demostrado reducir la degradación del suelo evitando el sobrepastoreo y la erosión. La introducción de ciclos de pastoreo controlados permite la regeneración vegetal, contribuyendo a mejorar la estructura del suelo, incrementando la materia orgánica del mismo y potenciando la actividad microbiológica. Estas medidas también han permitido aumentar las reservas de carbono orgánico del suelo (COS) contribuyendo de forma muy positiva a la mitigación del cambio climático. 

Recomendaciones

Los silvicultores y ganaderos pueden adoptar sistemas de pastoreo rotacional para mejorar la salud del suelo y evitar su degradación. El sistema de rotación de ganado permite periodos de recuperación para la vegetación, manteniendo y enriqueciendo la estructura del suelo mientras se conservan los niveles de COS. Los mejores resultados se obtienen mediante la adaptación del pastoreo rotacional a las condiciones climáticas locales, tipos de vegetación y densidad del ganado. 

Objective

In Mediterranean forestry, soil health is frequently compromised due to poor vegetative growth, lack of humidity, and suboptimal temperature conditions for microbiological activity. Continuous soil degradation and desertification present additional challenges. This abstract addresses how rotational grazing can mitigate these issues by promoting vegetative recovery and improving soil conditions.

Result

Implementing rotational grazing in Mediterranean forests has proven to reduce soil degradation by preventing overgrazing and erosion. The reintroduction of controlled grazing cycles allows for periods of plant regeneration, contributing to better soil structure, increased organic matter, and enhanced microbiological activity. These improvements have also led to higher soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, which play a critical role in mitigating climate change.

Recommendations

Forest managers and landowners can adopt rotational grazing systems to improve soil health and prevent land degradation. By regulating grazing intensity and allowing recovery periods for vegetation, soil structure can be maintained and enriched, while SOC levels are conserved. For optimal results, rotational grazing should be tailored to local climate conditions, vegetation types, and livestock density.