Estimation of Soil Loss Tolerance in Olive Groves as an Indicator of Sustainability: The Case of the Estepa Region (Andalusia, Spain)

Sousa, Antonio Alberto Rodríguez; Barandica, Jesús M.; Rescia, Alejandro J.

doi:10.3390/agronomy9120785

Cited by 12 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…This region has an altitude between 200 and 800 m.a.s.l., and a continental Mediterranean climate characterised by an average temperature of 17.5 • C and 477 mm of annual rainfall [30]. Olive trees are hereby gown on loam and calcareous soils of great depth (i.e., 30-150 cm), with a planting density of 100-500 trees ha −1 [24,31]. From a geological point of view, calcareous soils (i.e., Albariza type) predominate, with a low water absorption capacity together with a medium-high mechanical resistance, being highly susceptible to laminar erosion (i.e., losses of over 35 t ha −1 year −1 of soil) [6,29].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the case of integrated olive groves in the study area, considering that the structural characteristics of the traditional olive groves are maintained unchanged, but the inter-rows are widened to 4 m and the olive trees are between 5-49 years old, factor C was assigned a value of 0.16. Lastly, in intensive olive groves this factor was assigned a value of 0.41, due to the absence of plant covers, to the presence young trees (i.e., <5 years) of a 1 m radius, and inter-rows of 2 m. Finally, factor P was assigned an equal value of 1 for all management models, assuming similar characteristics to those considered for the PDO Estepa (i.e., farms are subject to tillage practices without any control of erosion) [31,40]. Table 1 shows the parameters of the USLE model as calibrated for the PDO Norte Alentejano.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…where W: soil weight (t ha −1 ); Depth: soil depth (cm); DBD: dry bulk density (gr cm −3 ). Based on the SLTI defined by Lombardi-Neto and Bertoni [25] and following the criteria set by Rodríguez Sousa et al [31], some assumptions/limitations were made to adapt this index to crops. These assumptions are the following: (a) the time period in which a crop yield should be considered as constant is 100 years and (b) that soil erosion rates will be assumed to remain constant during the overall simulation experiment.…”

Section: Soil Loss Tolerance Index For Crops (Slti) and For Olive Gromentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the relevance of SLTI for agriculture, there is a need to devise more specific indices adapted to each type of crop. Thus, in the case of olive groves, a specific index exists that was published by Sousa et al [31], defined as the Soil Loss Tolerance in olive groves (i.e., SLTIog). In order to establish a comparative study between the results in such research and the experiments described in this study, SLTIog was also computed for the Portuguese study area.…”

Section: Calculation Of Agricultural Indices 231 Soil Loss Toleranmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Spain, a comparison was made with PDO Estepa (Seville, Andalusia, Spain), which hosts almost 40,000 ha of olive groves and a production of 30,000 t of oil per year [30]. The specific objectives of this study were (a) estimating the SLTI and SPI indices in the PDO Norte Alentejano as a proxy of agronomic sustainability; (b) calibrating and implementing specific modifications of the SLTI for the olive grove management models present in the study area, considering the influence of edaphic variables as potential mitigating agents of erosive processes (i.e., SLTIog); and (c) comparatively evaluating the results obtained with similar studies carried out in the PDO Estepa [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparative Analysis of Soil Loss Tolerance and Productivity of the Olive Groves in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Areas Norte Alentejano (Portugal) and Estepa (Andalusia, Spain)

et al. 2021

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Olive groves are Mediterranean systems that occupy more than 2.5 M ha in Spain and 0.352 M ha in Portugal. Assuming the differences between both countries in terms of olive grove regulation and considering their multifunctionality, it is useful to implement agronomic indices to estimate their sustainability. The Soil Loss Tolerance Index (SLTI) and the Soil Productivity Index (SPI) are two such indices. We calculated both indices in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Norte Alentejano (Portugal). The SLTI index was adapted considering specific variables of the analysed olive groves (i.e., SLTIog). The values obtained were compared with those previously estimated for PDO Estepa (Spain). The negative impacts of erosion and the underlying agricultural practices on the sustainability of olive groves became evident, resulting in decreased soil productivity at the regional level. The SLTIog index showed higher values for crops, being a more realistic tool to analyse sustainability. A higher soil loss tolerance was detected for integrated groves in the PDO Norte Alentejano than for PDO Estepa due to the shorter age of olive cultivation in Portugal, with incipient soil impacts. These indices provide information on the degree of soil erosion, allowing farmers and decision-makers to apply practices to maximise the sustainability of olive groves.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Soil Loss Tolerance Index For Crops (Slti) and For Olive Gromentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Calculation Of Agricultural Indices 231 Soil Loss Toleranmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comparative Analysis of Soil Loss Tolerance and Productivity of the Olive Groves in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Areas Norte Alentejano (Portugal) and Estepa (Andalusia, Spain)

et al. 2021

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Impacts of agricultural intensification on soil erosion and sustainability of olive groves in Alentejo (Portugal)

et al. 2023

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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.

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Examining the Effectiveness of Catch Crops as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Surface Soil and Water Losses as an Environmental Regional Concern

et al. 2021

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The main goal of this research was to conduct a biophysical, economic, social, and perception-based approach to foresee the solutions that could be used to mitigate the soil loss problem cost-effectively in “La Ribera del Xúquer” district (Valencia Region, Spain). To achieve these goals, a farmer perception survey was carried out, and an assessment of the biophysical impact of catch crops on soil organic matter, bulk density, steady-state infiltration rate (double-ring infiltrometer) and runoff generation, and soil erosion (rainfall simulation experiments) was carried out in 2016. For the biophysical approach, two paired plots, i.e., catch crops vs. glyphosate herbicide treatment (in advance, control plot), were selected under clementine citrus production. The results show that soil organic matter increased from 1.14 to 1.63%, and bulk density decreased from 1.47 to 1.27 g cm−3 after 10 years of treatments using catch crops. They also facilitated higher infiltration rates from 16.7 to 171 mm h−1 and a delay in runoff generation from 149 to 654 s for control and catch crop plots. Both runoff rates (from 50.6 to 3.1%) and soil erosion (from 3.9 to 0.04 Mg ha−1 h−1) were reduced once the catch crops were deployed in the field. After surveying (2018–2019), farmers stated the use of catch crops as a speck of dirt and a cause of possible loss of reputation when used. Moreover, farmers (N = 73) would accept the catch crops as an effective nature-based alternative only if a subsidy of 131.17€ ha−1 would be paid. The survey results also demonstrated that the farmers' community would see catch crop more as a benefit for the planet's health and society. Few constraints, such as ageing of the farmers’ population, lack of education and negative perception for other management factors, are the critical detrimental factors for adopting catch crops as a nature-based solution to reduce soil and water losses. There is a need for an effective agrarian extension service to change the fate of the current agriculture and achieve sustainability by adopting new management strategies in contemporary agricultural practices.

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Estimation of Soil Loss Tolerance in Olive Groves as an Indicator of Sustainability: The Case of the Estepa Region (Andalusia, Spain)

Abstract: Spain is the world'

Cited by 12 publications

References 55 publications

A Comparative Analysis of Soil Loss Tolerance and Productivity of the Olive Groves in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Areas Norte Alentejano (Portugal) and Estepa (Andalusia, Spain)

A Comparative Analysis of Soil Loss Tolerance and Productivity of the Olive Groves in the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Areas Norte Alentejano (Portugal) and Estepa (Andalusia, Spain)

Impacts of agricultural intensification on soil erosion and sustainability of olive groves in Alentejo (Portugal)

Examining the Effectiveness of Catch Crops as a Nature-Based Solution to Mitigate Surface Soil and Water Losses as an Environmental Regional Concern

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