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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.
 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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.