Abstract
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.
Highlights
Across the European Union (EU), agricultural crops currently occupy 175 million hectares (M ha), of which 5 M ha correspond to olive groves [1]
The results showed the sustainability of olive groves in Estepa region, and through the SLTIog, even the olive groves with severe erosion and irrigation may be viable at 150 years
Erosion processes in olive groves are highly influenced by the slope of the territory, which favours runoff phenomena and the appearance of gullies
Summary
Across the European Union (EU), agricultural crops currently occupy 175 million hectares (M ha), of which 5 M ha correspond to olive groves [1]. In. Portugal there are currently 352,000 ha, considered an incipient crop in terms of agricultural expansion and intensification [3,4]. Portugal there are currently 352,000 ha, considered an incipient crop in terms of agricultural expansion and intensification [3,4] These agricultural socio-ecological landscapes are inherently multifunctional, with a primary economic function, contributing 6% and 1.36%. Other olive groves’ contributions to society relate to regulating ES, such as CO2 sequestration, mitigation of climate change and soil erosion processes, and pest control; cultural ES, such as maintenance of cultural landscape character and associated employment and olive oil tourism; and supporting ES, acting as agro-biodiversity reservoirs that host up to 25% of the species of birds, 20% of the insects, and 17% of the flora of the Iberian Peninsula [9,10,11]
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