Study

Soil loss and runoff reduction in olive-tree dry-farming with cover crops

  • Published source details Espejo-Pérez A.J., Rodríguez-Lizana A., Ordóñez R. & Giráldez J.V. (2013) Soil loss and runoff reduction in olive-tree dry-farming with cover crops. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 77, 2140-2148.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Soil: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland

Water: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

Action Link
Mediterranean Farmland
  1. Soil: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in eight rainfed olive orchards in southern Spain found less erosion in plots with cover crops, compared to tilled plots. Soil erosion and aggregation: Less soil was lost in runoff from plots with cover crops, compared to tilled plots, on seven of eight farms (63–89% less soil). Methods: On each of eight farms, cover crops were grown (two of eight farms) or weeds were not controlled (six of eight farms) on three plots, but weeds were controlled by conventional tillage (depths not reported) on three plots (1 m2 microplots). Plots were surrounded by steel sheets, which routed the runoff into plastic containers. Soil loss was measured in water samples, after each rainfall event.

     

  2. Water: Plant or maintain ground cover in orchards or vineyards

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2003–2005 in eight rainfed olive orchards in southern Spain found that cover crops had inconsistent effects on runoff, but less sediment was found in runoff from plots with cover crops, compared to tilled plots. Water availability: Less water was lost as runoff from plots with cover crops, compared to tilled plots, on four of eight farms (19–56% less runoff), but more water was lost on one of eight farms (15% increase in runoff). Sediments: Less soil was found in runoff from plots with cover crops, compared to tilled plots, on seven of eight farms (63–89% less sediment). Methods: On each of eight farms, cover crops were grown (two of eight farms) or weeds were not controlled (six of eight farms) on three plots, but weeds were controlled by conventional tillage (depths not reported) on three plots (1 m2 microplots). Plots were surrounded by steel sheets, which routed the runoff into plastic containers. Runoff and sediments were measured after each rainfall event.

     

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust