Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36792

Title: Impacts of agricultural intensification on soil erosion and sustainability of olive groves in Alentejo (Portugal)
Authors: Rodríguez Sousa, Antonio Alberto
Muñoz-Rojas, José
Brígido, Clarisse
Prats, Sérgio Alegre
Keywords: Agro-ecosystems
Land management
Semi-arid agriculture
Scenario planning
Simulation and modelling
Issue Date: 23-May-2023
Publisher: Landscape Ecology
Citation: Rodríguez Sousa, A.A., Muñoz-Rojas, J., Brígido, C. Prats, S.A. (2023) Impacts of agricultural intensification on soil erosion and sustainability of olive groves in Alentejo (Portugal). Landsc Ecol 38, 3479–3498
Abstract: Context Olive groves are key features of Iberian Mediterranean landscapes. With the intensification of olive grove production, some negative environmental impacts on soils must be considered to achieve farm sustainability. Objectives To estimate, theoretically and empirically, soil erosion in olive groves of Alentejo (Portugal) considering different planting densities and soil managements (i.e. conventional, integrated, organic), and related impacts on soil loss and farm sustainability. Methods Soil erosion was empirically calculated using sediment traps. Soil loss was modelled using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model. The impact of erosion on farm sustainability was assessed by simulating future projections to 100 and 500 years. Results An overestimation of theoretical erosion rates for all olive management models compared to the empirical results was observed. Plant cover strongly contributed to reduce soil loss. Temporal simulations based on experimental data showed a longer sustainability of intensive groves than expected according to theoretical values. Conclusions Despite the negative impacts of intensive agriculture, this study highlights that it is essential to consider soil management impacts on erosion, an aspect that influences farm sustainability, regardless of planting density. Future studies should expand our experiments across a wider sample and locations of olive groves, to better discern how olive sustainability is impacted by different agricultural management options and decisions.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36792
Type: article
Appears in Collections:MED - Publicações - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais Com Arbitragem Científica

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