DSpace Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/10174/11312024-03-29T08:50:19Z2024-03-29T08:50:19ZSustainability assessment methodology for CA: The INSPIA model (alphanumeric data and graphical representations)Triviño-Tarradas, P.Basch, G.et al.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/334022023-01-12T10:54:26Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Sustainability assessment methodology for CA: The INSPIA model (alphanumeric data and graphical representations)
Authors: Triviño-Tarradas, P.; Basch, G.; et al.
Abstract: The Initiative for Sustainable Productive Agriculture (INSPIA) project endorses best management practices (BMPs), mainly based on Conservation Agriculture (CA), to enhance the provision of ecosystem services through better stewardship of soil and water resources while ensuring high levels of productivity. This research presents the INSPIA methodology for the assessment of sustainability and for guiding farmers on strategic decision-making at the farm level, applicable to any kind of cropland (annual and permanent crops). The methodology is based on the application of 15 best management practices, which are evaluated through a set of 31 basic sustainability indicators that cover the economic, social and environmental sustainability dimensions. This set of sustainability indicators and BMPs were agreed by a panel of experts consisting of members of European universities and public research
stations, representatives of non-profit making associations, members of public sector, technicians and farmers. The
selection of sustainability indicators fulfils the three types of validation: design validation, output validation and end-use validation. Basic indicators are then grouped into 12 aggregated indicators, to build the final INSPIA composite index of sustainability. The INSPIA methodology provides farmers and advisers with a helpful tool to understand sustainability and which, to a certain extent, serves to improve performance toward sustainability. Results are presented through this methodology in three different graphical ways: a bar diagram with the whole set of basic indicator-values from 0 to 100; a pie chart representing the sustainability split in the aggregated indicators from 0 to 100; and a final sustainability index ranging from 0 to 100. In the medium and long term, the INSPIA methodology can help to monitor and assess agricultural and environmental policy implementation, as well as help improve its
decision-making processes in the future.2022-01-01T00:00:00ZMinimum tillage and no-tillage effects on VSA indicators at different pedoclimatic zones in Europe and ChinaTeixeira, F.Basch, G.et al.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/334012023-01-12T10:53:47Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Minimum tillage and no-tillage effects on VSA indicators at different pedoclimatic zones in Europe and China
Authors: Teixeira, F.; Basch, G.; et al.
Abstract: Under the H2020 project iSQAPER, 29 sites with min-till and 12 with no-till practices were identified across 7 and
5 pedoclimatic zones, respectively. These fields/plots were paired with nearby control fields/plots, sharing similar
farming features but cultivated using topsoil inversion tillage. All plots were georeferenced and in 2016 a visual
soil assessment (VSA), with a convenient score system (poor, moderate and good), of various components of soil
quality was conducted on the soils of all fields/plots, complemented by measurements of soil organic matter, labile
organic carbon content, pH and texture. Climate variables and indices (mean annual temperature, precipitation and
potential evapotranspiration, aridity index, net primary production potential, and Gorczyński Continentality Index)
were estimated using the software New_LocClim_1.10 for all locations.
No-till fields/plots have a statistically significant higher proportion of good scores (p<0.05, chi-square test) with
respect to soil structure and consistency, soil porosity, soil stability (slake test), and susceptibility to wind and water
erosion when compared to control fields/plots; the strength of the effect, given by Crámer’s V for these VSA indicators,
being V=0.85, 0.51, 0.43 and 0.43 respectively. The min-till group shows no statistically significant differences in
VSA indicator scores with control fields/plots. Measured soil properties show no statistical difference between both
conservation tillage groups and respective control groups.
Due to an insufficient number of no-till sites further statistical analysis was performed only for the min-till and control
groups. Spearman’s rank-correlation coefficients between VSA indicator scores and climate variables, within
each group (min-till and control), show important differences between the two groups with respect to soil structure
and consistency, porosity and colour. Correlation coefficients between VSA indicators scores and soil properties
also show important differences between the two groups, especially the correlations of the VSA indicators soil structure and consistency, porosity, colour, susceptibility to erosion, and surface
ponding, with one or more measured soil properties.
We used Spearman’s rank-correlation to detect potential interactions between climate
variables and soil properties, by calculating the correlations with VSA indicator
scores within min-till and control groups. The potential interactions detected
are distinct between min-till and Control. Despite the small sample (n=29 per group
and missing data for some variables reduced n further (e.g. for soil organic matter
n=13)), exploratory analysis using Linear Discriminant Analysis, show that an
important error reduction in the scoring classification, in comparison to a random
classification (prediction of the VSA indicators’ scores), can be achieved for most
VSA indicators with few variables and/or interactions (e.g. presence of tillage pan,
n=18, we achieved an error reduction of 83.3%, using penetration resistance and
mean annual temperature as explanatory variables).
We argue that min-till practices effects on VSA indicators scores, although not statistically different from those with conventional tillage, may have, at particular locations, a less negative impact on soil quality and soil conservation than conventional topsoil inversion practices; we also argue that a dataset with a higher number of records would allow the development of equations to accurately predict the effect
of conservation tillage (no-till and min-till) and conventional tillage practices (topsoil inversion) on VSA indicator scores.2022-01-01T00:00:00ZThe role of Conservation Agriculture in the European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)Basch, G.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/334002023-01-12T10:53:28Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The role of Conservation Agriculture in the European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)
Authors: Basch, G.
Abstract: European Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) has been a factor highly influencing decision making by farmers and the way of farming. Historically, CAP was concentrated on the objectives of food provision, income support, affordable food and market regulation. In the last two decades, following intensification and overproduction, other objectives
partially replaced the old ones and more attention was given to Rural Development, competitiveness of farming, environment
and biodiversity. Amongst the proposed measures to achieve these objectives were mandatory minimum standards, agri-environmental or ‘greening’ measures schemes and, more recently, the so-called mission area on soil health and food, all of them to address today’s hotspots of the CAP policy framework, i.e. climate action, efficient
management of natural resources and the protection of biodiversity and landscapes.
The core strategies to tackle all these objectives in the recently defined CAP policy framework are summarized in documents and action plans named “European Green Deal”, “Farm to Fork Strategy”, European Mission on Soil Health and Food”, and “Biodiversity Strategy”. Despite referring positive and wishful approaches such as “Farming
practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere … should be rewarded”, these documents are mostly omissive when it comes to concrete when it comes to concrete measures and practices to be named and capable to address
not only one but most of the objectives outlined concomitantly.
The simultaneous and continuous application of the principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA) has proven to be the most promising way forward to address effectively and efficiently the multiple challenges of food production, following a nature-based approach (minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and species diversity). However, to make CA a mainstream approach towards sustainable agriculture, consumers, civil society and farmers must learn what is needed to achieve soil health and thus true and holistic sustainability of food production. We also must recognize that productive and resource-efficient agriculture must be able to trust on the availability of safe inputs
to be used responsibly. Above all in Europe, the considerable income support to the farming sector should clearly linked to the verifiable delivery of ecosystem services. Finally, an unbiased, objective appreciation of all pros and cons of the different farming approaches is needed to assess their conformity with the whole set of goals established and to be achieved within the best compromise possible.2022-01-01T00:00:00ZLIFE Agromitiga: development of climate change mitigation strategies through carbon-smart agricultureGonzález-Sánchez, E.J.Basch, G.et al.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/333962023-01-12T10:51:31Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: LIFE Agromitiga: development of climate change mitigation strategies through carbon-smart agriculture
Authors: González-Sánchez, E.J.; Basch, G.; et al.
Abstract: In agricultural systems, one of the most relevant natural resources for fighting climate change is soil, thanks to its potential to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Proof of this is that soil, with three times more carbon than the atmosphere, is recognized as the second largest stock of Carbon (C) on the planet after the oceans, in addition to constituting one of the most important components of the biosphere, for its provision of ecosystem functions and
services. Some agricultural practices, such as Conservation Agriculture, can increase carbon sequestration in soils.
Therefore, this practice is considered by the 4per1000 initiative as one of the most effective practices to mitigate climate change. On this basis, LIFE Agromitiga, a European project financed by the EU LIFE Program, will promote a low-carbon agricultural system to battle climate change from the agricultural sector, through the use of Conservation Agriculture, providing validated results applicable to EU commitments on global climate alliances. To do so, LIFE Agromitiga will carry out the implementation of Conservation Agriculture practices at 3 scales (pilot, regional
and transnational scale). Therefore, a Demonstration Farm Network will be established, which will include more
than 35 farms, in countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal, in which techniques such as no tillage and
groundcovers will be monitored, as well as the amount of carbon that each practice would produce.
It is expected that, thanks to the implementation of LIFE Agromitiga project, a methodology for quantifying C footprint during the cultivation period of crops in different soil management systems will be developed. As a consequence of the proposed methodology, environmental policies in the EU on climate change and agriculture could be
developed and promoted. Another result will be a report on how to increase the carbon sink in soils while reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions in the project area, which will be useful for international commitments like the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sustainability Development Goals, among others. It is expected to increase the
soil carbon sink by 1 Mg ha-1yr-1 in both annual and permanent crops. Therefore, a technological tool will be created, which will enable stakeholders, including farmers and technicians, to evaluate its practices regarding carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. Since Conservation Agriculture improves soil quality, leading to an optimized use of inputs (including Nitrogen fertilizers), resulting in lower emissions, energy savings and energy efficiencies superior to conventional agriculture, it is expected to achieve energy savings of around 30% in the crop rotations. Energy productivity is expected to increase by 50% and fuel consumption would drop by half.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z