From regional to parcel scale: A high-resolution map of cover crops across Europe combining satellite data with statistical surveys

Fendrich, Arthur Nicolaus; Matthews, Francis; Eynde, Elise van; Carozzi, Marco; Li, Zheyuan; d’Andrimont, Raphaël; Lugato, Emanuele; Martin, Philippe; Ciais, Philippe; Panagos, Panos

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162300

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Nowak et al (2022) found that cover crop adoption in France was higher along the Atlantic coast (ATC and LUS) with wetter summers and warmer autumns than in the more continental parts of France (ATC, ALS, CON, MDM) where dryer summers and cooler autumns prevail. This climatic pattern was also confirmed by our approach (Figures 2 and 3) and by Fendrich et al (2023) who applied a remote‐sensing approach to estimating the adoption of cover crops in Europe. Based on our modelling exercise and the studies discussed above, we conjectured that temperature and precipitation limitations explained a large proportion of the observed cover crop adoption levels in Europe.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Our survey revealed heterogeneous adoption levels of cover cropping across Europe (Figure 2b) which is a finding that is well supported by other studies (EUROSTAT, 2022b;Fendrich et al, 2023;Panagos et al, 2015;Smit et al, 2019). In 2016, cover crops were grown on 19% of the European arable land where no winter crop was established, with considerable regional differences, ranging from 0% (North, South and East of Europe) to 92% (Atlantic coast) (Figure 2c; EUROSTAT, 2022b).…”

Section: Climatic Constraints To Cover Croppingsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…We suggest that harmonized and repeated surveys on soil management practices should be carried out across Europe. Such surveys could be based on farmer consultation (e.g., Smit et al, 2019) or remote sensing approaches (e.g., Nowak et al, 2022 or Fendrich et al, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards enhanced adoption of soil‐improving management practices in Europe

Heller,

Bene,

Nino

et al. 2024

European J Soil Science

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Sustainable agricultural soil management practices are key to restore, maintain and improve soil health. The European Joint Programme for SOIL (EJP SOIL) has identified twelve main soil challenges in Europe. To assess the potential and eventually increase the adoption of soil‐improving management practices, it is necessary to know (i) the current levels of adoption of the practices, (ii) socio‐technical barriers influencing their adoption, and (iii) their bio‐physical limits. This study compiled an inventory of soil‐improving management practices relevant to European conditions, and used a survey among soil scientists to assess the levels of adoption of these practices in Europe. In total, 53 soil management practices were identified that address one or several of the soil challenges. The adoption of most practices was low or spatially heterogeneous across Europe, highlighting region‐specific limitations to sustainable soil management. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the importance of socio‐technical aspects of adoption. Using conservation agriculture as an example, factors that can hinder adoption included the availability of knowledge and adequate machinery, financial risks, and farming traditions. Through a modelling approach, 54% of arable land in Europe was found to be suitable for cover cropping, indicating that the adoption of soil management practices is frequently limited by climatic constraints. We propose a region‐specific approach that recognizes the importance of identifying and overcoming socio‐technical barriers, and by acknowledging bio‐physical limits that may be expanded by innovation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Climatic Constraints To Cover Croppingsupporting

confidence: 91%

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Towards enhanced adoption of soil‐improving management practices in Europe

Heller,

Bene,

Nino

et al. 2024

European J Soil Science

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“…For instance, regarding soil erosion and sediment delivery areas, the YSRs addressed the simulation of rainfall erosivity at each precipitation event (Matthews et al, 2022), developed an innovative method to estimate the cover management factor based on land parcel data (Matthews, Verstraeten, Borrelli, Vanmaercke, et al, 2023) and evaluated erosion effects on carbon balance and nutrients (Fendrich et al, 2022). In addition, YSRs generated the first ever map of cover crops in the EU (Fendrich et al, 2023), investigated phosphorus dynamics in EU agricultural systems (Muntwyler et al, 2023), analysed the implications of management practices for nutrient budgets (Muntwyler et al, 2024), and curated an EU sediment database (Matthews, Verstraeten, Borrelli, & Panagos, 2023). Regarding soil biodiversity, YSRs contributed to the first ever assessment of soil biodiversity across Europe.…”

Section: The Eu Soil Observatory and Collaborative Doctoral Partnersh...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Let's give a voice to young soil researchers

Panagos,

Orgiazzi

2023

European J Soil Science

Self Cite

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Young soil researchers represent a generation that will respond to future soil challenges and implement connected policy developments. They will deal with emerging challenges and opportunities for soil protection, such as climate change, land use change, scenario analysis, big data, modelling integration, one health aspects, and soil living laboratories. In this context, the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) provides an inclusive forum for participatory research in the EU and beyond. In 2021, at the first gathering of the EUSO Stakeholders Forum, young researchers were actively engaged through the establishment of the EU Young Soil Researchers Forum. This resulted in interesting presentations, discussions, and research outputs, which have been brought together in this virtual thematicissue. Similar support for young soil researchers is expected at the 2024 EUSO Stakeholders Forum.

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“…Additionally, incorporating the wild range of legume phytochemicals via intercropping strategies can help enhance agroecosystem resilience through improved soil fertility, biodiversity and nutrient cycling ( Chamkhi et al., 2022 ). Consequently, legumes have been identified as pivotal tools to enhance the intended transition towards ‘healthy soil’ by 2030 (European Soil Mission) ( Fendrich et al., 2023 ). Despite this, the production of legumes in Europe remains limited and below the desired thresholds for optimal ecological function, with grain legumes accounting for less than 3% of arable land across the EU, and are mainly used for animal feed ( Notz et al., 2023 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

More than a meat- or synthetic nitrogen fertiliser-substitute: a review of legume phytochemicals as drivers of ‘One Health’ via their influence on the functional diversity of soil- and gut-microbes

Duarte,

Iannetta,

Gomes

et al. 2024

Front. Plant Sci.

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Legumes are essential to healthy agroecosystems, with a rich phytochemical content that impacts overall human and animal well-being and environmental sustainability. While these phytochemicals can have both positive and negative effects, legumes have traditionally been bred to produce genotypes with lower levels of certain plant phytochemicals, specifically those commonly termed as ‘antifeedants’ including phenolic compounds, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs). However, when incorporated into a balanced diet, such legume phytochemicals can offer health benefits for both humans and animals. They can positively influence the human gut microbiome by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to gut health, and demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Beyond their nutritional value, legume phytochemicals also play a vital role in soil health. The phytochemical containing residues from their shoots and roots usually remain in-field to positively affect soil nutrient status and microbiome diversity, so enhancing soil functions and benefiting performance and yield of following crops. This review explores the role of legume phytochemicals from a ‘one health’ perspective, examining their on soil- and gut-microbial ecology, bridging the gap between human nutrition and agroecological science.

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From regional to parcel scale: A high-resolution map of cover crops across Europe combining satellite data with statistical surveys

Cited by 19 publications

References 51 publications

Towards enhanced adoption of soil‐improving management practices in Europe

Towards enhanced adoption of soil‐improving management practices in Europe

Let's give a voice to young soil researchers

More than a meat- or synthetic nitrogen fertiliser-substitute: a review of legume phytochemicals as drivers of ‘One Health’ via their influence on the functional diversity of soil- and gut-microbes

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