Carbon sequestration capacity and productivity responses of Mediterranean olive groves under future climates and management options

Brilli, Lorenzo; Lugato, Emanuele; Moriondo, Marco; Gioli, Beniamino; Toscano, Piero; Zaldei, Alessandro; Leolini, Luisa; Cantini, Claudio; Caruso, Giovanni; Gucci, Riccardo; Merante, Paolo; Dibari, Camilla; Ferrise, Roberto; Bindi, Marco; Costafreda-Aumedes, Sergi

doi:10.1007/s11027-018-9824-x

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Due to its geographical location, the island of Crete is subjected to great vulnerability to climatic conditions [5,56,57]. This vulnerability will become more challenging in the upcoming years due to climate variability [6,57,58], impacting further water availability [56,59] and likely crop productivity [60,61]. Among climatic extremes, in Crete, intense precipitation events, increased frequency of flooding, longer and more intense droughts have been projected [56,57,62].…”

Section: Water Availability and Climate Variability Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Tzanakakis

Angelakιs

Paranychianakis

et al. 2020

Water

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Crete, located in the South Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by long coastal areas, varied terrain relief and geology, and great spatial and inter-annual variations in precipitation. Under average meteorological conditions, the island is water-sufficient (969 mm precipitation; theoretical water potential 3284 hm3; and total water use 610 hm3). Agriculture is by far the greatest user of water (78% of total water use), followed by domestic use (21%). Despite the high average water availability, water scarcity events commonly occur, particularly in the eastern-south part of the island, driven by local climatic conditions and seasonal or geographical mismatches between water availability and demand. Other critical issues in water management include the over-exploitation of groundwater, accounting for 93% of the water used in agriculture; low water use efficiencies in the farms; limited use of non-conventional water sources (effluent reuse); lack of modern frameworks of control and monitoring; and inadequate cooperation among stakeholders. These deficiencies impact adversely water use efficiency, deteriorate quality of water resources, increase competition for water and water pricing, and impair agriculture and environment. Moreover, the water-limited areas may display low adaptation potential to climate variability and face increased risks for the human-managed and natural ecosystems. The development of appropriate water governance frameworks that promote the development of integrated water management plans and allow concurrently flexibility to account for local differentiations in social-economic favors is urgently needed to achieve efficient water management and to improve the adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. Specific corrective actions may include use of alternative water sources (e.g., treated effluent and brackish water), implementation of efficient water use practices, re-formation of pricing policy, efficient control and monitoring, and investment in research and innovation to support the above actions. It is necessary to strengthen the links across stakeholders (e.g., farmers, enterprises, corporations, institutes, universities, agencies, and public authorities), along with an effective and updated governance framework to address the critical issues in water management, facilitate knowledge transfer, and promote the efficient use of non-conventional water resources.

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Section: Water Availability and Climate Variability Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Tzanakakis

Angelakιs

Paranychianakis

et al. 2020

Water

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“…Spain is the country most severely threatened by desertification processes in the European Union [1]. In addition, the southern regions of Spain present the highest land degradation ratios [2], being some of the most threatened areas by the effects of climate change in the European Union [3,4]. Conventional intensive tillage practices are behind the severe degradation of large cropland areas in Europe [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Opportunities for the Implementation of Sustainable Farming Practices in Mediterranean Tree Orchards

et al. 2021

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This study identifies, through consultation with relevant stakeholders, low-input farming practices that can help to minimize the most pressing agronomic and environmental problems in some of the most relevant Mediterranean woody crops in Spain (almond, citrus, and olive) and enhance their sustainability. The results illustrate stakeholders’ perception regarding how each cropping system could be oriented towards a more sustainable production. Despite each case study’s particularities, there is consensus in the need for a shift towards the use of organic fertilizers, the maintenance of vegetation in the edges of plots and the use of integrated pest control strategies. On the contrary, stakeholders have selected different tillage and soil cover practices that are consistent with the characteristics and problems of each cropping system. This study also identifies relevant strengths and drawbacks for the implementation of low-input agricultural practices in each crop and study area. While stakeholders find the identified low-impact farming practices as easy and not costly, suggesting a significant potential for their successful implementation, the results also point out at the reduced knowledge of the practical benefits of some farming practices and the need for improved technical advice to foster the adoption of others.

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“…The widespread distribution of olive groves in the Mediterranean Basin can be also exploited for their important carbon sequestration capacity to mitigate the impact of climate change. Reference [16], following a modelling approach, evidenced the reduction of net primary production and productivity of extensive management of olive groves in warming scenarios of +1.5 and +2 • C, as expected for Mediterranean areas. For contrasting the decrease of olive grove's productivity and improving their mitigation capacity, the same authors pointed out the importance of adopting practices for increasing soil water content and reducing evapotranspiration.…”

Section: Climate Change Projections and Olive Growing Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Nonetheless, a recent increase in global food demand, lack of human labor and other socio-economic constraints, such as the need to increase profitability, are promoting a shift In the recent past, most of the Mediterranean olive orchards were grown under rainfed conditions and low-density management systems (<100 plants/ha) [10], mostly exploiting marginal areas characterized by shallow soils and steep terrain that could not easily be used for other crop cultivation [11]. Under these circumstances, while playing a significant role in local economies [12,13], olive cultivation may indeed contribute to the preservation of natural resources of the ecosystem through soil protection, enhanced soil water retention and carbon sequestration [11,[14][15][16][17][18].…”

Section: Olive Orchards In the Mediterranean Basinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean Olive Orchards under Climate Change: A Review of Future Impacts and Adaptation Strategies

et al. 2020

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The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an ancient traditional crop in the Mediterranean Basin. In the Mediterranean region, traditional olive orchards are distinguishable by their prevailing climatic conditions. Olive trees are indeed considered one of the most suitable and best-adapted species to the Mediterranean-type climate. However, new challenges are predicted to arise from climate change, threatening this traditional crop. The Mediterranean Basin is considered a climate change “hotspot,” as future projections hint at considerable warming and drying trends. Changes in olive tree suitability have already been reported over the last few decades. In this context, climate change may become particularly challenging for olive growers. The growing evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation measures to be taken. To effectively cope with the projected changes, both short and long-term adaptation strategies must be timely planned by the sector stakeholders and decision-makers to adapt for a warmer and dryer future. The current manuscript is devoted to illustrating the main impacts of climate change on olive tree cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin, by reviewing the most recent studies on this subject. Additionally, an analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts of climate change was also performed.

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Carbon sequestration capacity and productivity responses of Mediterranean olive groves under future climates and management options

Cited by 26 publications

References 83 publications

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Barriers and Opportunities for the Implementation of Sustainable Farming Practices in Mediterranean Tree Orchards

Mediterranean Olive Orchards under Climate Change: A Review of Future Impacts and Adaptation Strategies

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