Greenhouse gas emissions from conventional and organic cropping systems in Spain. II. Fruit tree orchards

Abstract

Fruit tree orchards have a historical and economic importance for Mediterranean agriculture, notably in Spain. Fruit tree orchards have the potential to mitigate global warming by sequestrating carbon (C) and providing renewable fuels. Actually, there is few information on the benefits of organic practices. Therefore, we analyzed the greenhouse gas contribution of 42 pairs of organic and conventional perennial cropping systems, including citrus, subtropical trees, other fruit trees, treenuts, vineyards, and olives, using life-cycle assessment (LCA). The assessment was based on management information from interviews and involved the estimation of soil carbon sequestration, specific Mediterranean N 2 O emission factors, and the consideration of coproducts. Results show on average a 56 % decrease of greenhouse gas emissions under organic versus conventional cropping, on an area basis. On a product basis, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 39 % on average. These findings are explained mainly by C sequestration in soils, which is due in turn to higher C inputs by cover cropping and incorporation of pruning residues.

Role of vineyard practices in generating and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions

“…The conversion of energy units to CO2 equivalents was calculated using the Australian Wine Carbon Calculator, which considers variable emissions depending on the state in which the electricity is consumed (Damien Griffante, Winemakers' Federation of Australia, pers. The proportion of emissions from fuel use in Australian vineyards is similar to that reported from a survey of Spanish vineyards (Aguilera et al 2014) (Table 2); however, in those vineyards electricity was not reported and could not be included. Many Australian vineyards use electricity to pump irrigation water.…”

Valuing Preferences for Environmental Sustainability in Fruit Production by United Kingdom and Japanese Consumers

“…Identifying consumer demand could contribute to incentivising adoption of carbon reduction strategies. Current strategies include adaptation of traditional processes (van Rikxoort, Schroth, Läderach, & Rodríguez-Sánchez, 2014) organic systems (Aguilera, Guzmán, & Alonso, 2014) localisation of consumption (Cleveland et al, 2011) and reduction in waste (Svanes & Aronsson, 2013). This study estimates consumer values for carbon labelling of fruit in both the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan, where carbon labelling schemes are currently applied to food products.…”

Agroecology and Ecological Intensification. A Discussion from a Metabolic Point of View

“…Firstly, there would be benefits from the substitution of industrially synthesized nitrogen fertilizers by organic manure (lower leaching, greater energy efficiency, reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions) [60][61][62][63]. Furthermore, planting hedges would increase biodiversity, CO 2 sequestration and improve the landscape matrix [64,65].…”