How Soil Cover and Reduced Tillage Enhance the Stability and Resilience of Agriculture to Extreme Weather Events
The Climate Farm Demo event in Bavois, Switzerland, in October 2024 focused on educating and training agricultural professionals about the essential role of cover crops as well as methods like direct seeding, in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Research presented at the event showed that soil covered by plants can absorb rainwater more effectively, reduce erosion, and heat up less in summer. In contrast, uncovered soils are vulnerable to water and nutrient losses, as well as soil erosion. An aggregate stability test conducted on-site illustrated how soil stability is affected by management practices and how plant cover can improve soil stability.
Individuals from agricultural practice and advisory can leverage these insights by integrating strategies for implementing cover crops and reduced tillage into their farming practices. These methods improve soil quality and fertility, contributing to long-term yield stability and increases.
At the end of the event, Hanspeter Liniger (University of Bern) shared findings from the "Hot earth is not cool" project, highlighting how uncovered soils are highly vulnerable to erosion, runoff, and heat stress. He explained that covered soils absorb and store rainwater better, protecting against erosion and drought. Rain simulator studies show that up to 50% of heavy rainfall runs off uncovered soils, causing major losses of water, soil, and nutrients. In contrast, soils under permanent pasture or cover crops with notill practices showed minimal runoff and erosion. Uncovered soils can heat up to over 60°C in summer, harming soil life. Mulch can lower topsoil temperatures by 15–20°C, while living plant covers are even more effective and help stabilize soil structure. Frequent ploughing disrupts roots and soil microbes, weakens soil stability and increases erosion risks.
https://www.ufarevue.ch/pflanzenbau/warum-boeden-vor-hitze-zu-schuetzen-sind
Additional information
Link to the UFA revue: https://www.ufarevue.ch/pflanzenbau/warumboeden-vor-hitze-zu-schuetzen-sind
Contact for enquiries about the research project:
hanspeter.liniger@unibe.ch
Climate Farm Demo
Ongoing | 2022-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia