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NOVASOIL

Le projet NOVASOIL, dont l'AREFLH est partenaire,est dédié aux modèles économiques innovants pour améliorer la santé des sols.

L'article suivant traite du développement de l’indicateur "Empreinte du Sol", proposé par des chercheurs de l’Université de Cordoue. Cet indicateur mesure l’impact de l’érosion des sols causée par la culture d’un aliment, en calculant le rapport entre le taux d’érosion (tonnes/hectare/an) et le rendement agricole (tonnes/hectare/an).

Les résultats montrent que certaines cultures, comme les olives, les cerises et le blé, ont une empreinte élevée, tandis que les oignons, les pommes de terre et les oranges sont plus durables.

L’étude souligne également l’importance de pratiques agricoles durables (ex. : cultures de couverture, non-labour) pour réduire cette empreinte, ainsi que le rôle des consommateurs lorsqu'ils favorisent des produits respectueux des sols.

 

L'article complet est uniquement disponible en anglais :

AREFLH is a partner of the project NOVASOIL project  focuses on “Innovative on Innovative business models for soil health”. In the framework of the project, we have the new output of “Innovative Business Models for Soil Health. 

Researchers from the Department of Agronomy at the University of Córdoba studied  “The Soil Footprint, a New Indicator to Measure the Impact of Agriculture on Soil Erosion”.

 

What is the Soil Footprint?

The soil footprint is an indicator that measures the impact of a crop on agricultural soil loss, or how much soil is eroded in the process of growing a particular food. It is calculated by dividing the erosion rate by the crop yield, giving a figure that indicates how much soil is lost per unit of food produced.

This concept, proposed by the research team, aims to provide a clearer understanding of the problem of soil erosion. The simplicity of the formula – erosion divided by productivity – makes it applicable and understandable to both experts and the general public.

The value of the Soil Footprint lies in its ability to quantify, compare, and communicate the impact of different crops on soil. For the first time, we can measure how much land is eroded over time depending on the type of crop – essential information for developing sustainable agricultural management strategies.

 

How is the Soil Footprint Measured?

The formula behind the Soil footprint may be straightforward, but its implications are far-reaching. It is measured using two key factors:

  • Soil erosion rate (t/ha/year): This is the amount of soil that is lost due to factors such as wind, rain, or inappropriate farming practices.
  • Crop yield (t/ha/year): This measures the amount of food or product harvested from one hectare of land in a year.

The ratio of these two elements provides a measure of how much a crop contributes to soil erosion relative to its yield. For example, if a hectare of olive trees causes 8 tonnes of soil loss and yields only 1.9 tonnes of olives, the soil footprint would be around 4.2 tonnes of soil loss per tonne of product.
Using this method, the team at the University of Córdoba analyzed the top 10 crops in Spain and ranked which were more sustainable in terms of soil conservation and which caused more erosion relative to their yield. This type of tool is crucial for identifying crops that need urgent intervention to reduce their impact on soil erosion.

 

Crop comparison: Winners and losers of soil sustainability

In their study, the researchers ranked Spain’s main crops according to their soil footprint. While olives, cherries, and wheat topped the list as having the highest soil footprints, other crops such as onions, potatoes, and oranges had the lowest soil footprints. This means that these latter crops result in less soil loss relative to the amount of food they produce, making them more sustainable choices for soil conservation.

The analysis also identified the most problematic regions in the country. The province of Jaén (Andalusian region), home to the largest area of olive groves, had the highest concentration of severe soil erosion, highlighting the need for immediate intervention in agricultural management.

 

Soil Footprint influencing factors

Several factors influence the impact of crops on soil erosion:

  • Climatic conditions: Rainfall intensity, storm frequency, and temperature all play a role in the rate of erosion.
  • Topography: Steep slopes increase water run-off and therefore soil erosion.
  • Agricultural practices: Techniques such as intensive ploughing or excessive use of herbicides exacerbate soil erosion, while sustainable practices such as no-till farming and cover crops can significantly reduce the rate of soil loss.

 

Strategies for reducing the land footprint

Reducing the land footprint is an urgent task and a challenge for global agriculture. The solutions require a collective effort involving farmers, scientists, policymakers, and consumers. Some of the most effective soil conservation strategies include:

  • Cover crops
  • No-till farming
  • Crop rotation
  • Sustainable agricultural policies

 

The role of consumers in soil protection

Just as consumers have become more aware of their carbon and water footprints, they have the power to influence the reduction of the soil footprint. Demand for sustainably produced products can encourage farmers and the food industry to adopt soil-friendly practices.

The researchers suggest that in the future, food products could carry a soil footprint label, similar to eco-labels, to help consumers make informed choices that support soil conservation.

 

Conclusion

The introduction of the concept of the Soil Footprint by researchers at the University of Córdoba marks a turning point in how we understand the environmental impact of agriculture. By measuring how much soil is lost in crop yields, this indicator highlights the urgent need to protect the soil as a finite and essential resource.

 

You can r ead the full article on the NOVASOIL Website or on Science Direct

 

Know more about Novasoil

 

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement n°101091268

 

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