TABLE 1: PRACTICES DESIGNED AT ENHANCING THE SOM … · Mulching (incl. cover crops) Cover crop live cover crop cons of cover cropsgreen mulching consumption) dry mulching (dead cover

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TABLE 1: PRACTICES DESIGNED AT ENHANCING THE SOM CONTENT OF MEDITERRANEAN SOILS

I - Good existing practices underused or needing promotion Subtopic Why not implemented How to promote further? Main advantages? Risk/downsides?

Application of C-rich inputs Animal manures and slurries

on-farm raw products

on-farm composts

off-farm raw products

off-farm composts

not available on-farm or locally (specialization of agriculture with stockless agriculture in large areas)

high cost of transportation (high water content)

possibly (in vulnerable regions) beyond the limits set by European Union (Nitrate Directive and Water Framework Directive)

policy against agricultural specialization, favouring diverse agricultural landscapes

compost and dehydrate for easier handling and transportation

fractionate the liquid and solid parts of slurries for easier handling and transportation

need for the development of a decision support system for the application of these organic resources to support farmers

source of C and nutrients (N, P, K, S)

N and P recycling

closing the N and P loops locally when based on animals produced on the farm with minimal feed import

possible N and P losses to water bodies. In the “vulnerable zones” defined by the EU Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEC, it is mandatory to implement “Action Plans”, in which the amount of organic forms of N added to agricultural soils as manure applications has been limited

possible source of pollution (Cu, Zn, antibiotic,...) and disease (pathogenic germs)

Plant residues and by-products

crop residues

green manures

pruning wastes

gardening and food wastes

loss of an additional source of income (eg. cereal straw)

additional cost (energy and labour) for application and incorporation

lack of specific equipment (eg. for chopping)

possible additional consumption of water (green manure)

lack of knowledge about their composition (nutrients)

policy encouraging the incorporation of crop residues, green manures and other plant wastes (governmental incentives)

adequate choice of plant species for green manuring

source of C and some nutrients (N, P, K, S) but some are unbalanced (C-rich)

N and P recycling

closing the N and P loops locally when produced on the farm

net N input using N2-fixing legumes as green manures

possible source of crop disease (pathogens)

additional water consumption (however the plant cover may reduce water losses via runoff)

Agro-industry by-products

olive-mill by-products

winery by-products

etc.


lack of knowledge about their composition (nutrients)

lack of knowledge about the source of pollutants they represent (metals pesticide residues)

high cost of transportation (if high water content)

policy encouraging the incorporation of short-listed agro-industry by-products (governmental incentives)

document their properties and effects

source of C and some nutrients (N, P, K, S) but some are unbalanced (C-rich)

N and P recycling

closing the N and P loops locally when produced on the farm

possible source of crop disease (pathogens)

possible source of pollution (metals, pesticide residues)

Urban and industrial wastes

domestic/food waste compost

sewage sludge

sewage sludge composts

biochar (see section "Research" below)


smell unless composted ad/or incorporated

risk of pollution that they represent (metals, xenobiotics, pharmaceutical products and human pathogenic germs)

high cost of transportation

policy encouraging the incorporation of good quality urban and industrial wastes for recycling efforts (governmental incentives)

technologies for better water treatment and higher quality sludges (as organic amendments), including composting

document their properties

source of C and some nutrients (N, P, K, S) but some are unbalanced (C-rich, eg. biochar, which on the other hand helps increasing the retention of soil nutrients)

possible source of human disease (pathogens)

possible source of pollution (metals, xenobiotics, pharmaceutical products)

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(high water content sludges) and effects

Tillage practices Proper tillage (less than conventional)

large investment needed to shift to novel machinery for tillage

fear of yield loss

new know-how needed

policy encouraging the use of proper tillage practices (governmental incentives e.g. Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs) established for Cross Compliance implementation under EC Regulation 1782/2003)

providing means for training to acquire the adequate know-how

less soil compaction (lighter machines) and thus improved water infiltration

less energy expenditure

possibly more C sequestration

possible build-up of a weed seedbank

more herbicide

less deep incorporation of nutrients and crop residues or other organic inputs (eg. manure) (by other means than natural processes)

No tillage too large change of paradigm

fear of yield loss

investment needed to shift to novel (sowing) machinery

new know-how needed

limited awareness about the role of soil biota as alternative to tillage

policy encouraging no till practices and conservation agriculture (governmental incentives)

providing means for training to acquire the adequate know-how

provide knowledge about soil functioning

combine with other measures (eg. mulching and crop rotation) according to the principles of conservation agriculture

development of active national and regional associations promoting conservation agriculture among farmers, decision makers and stakeholders

less soil compaction (lighter machines and less traffic) and thus improved water infiltration (however the opposite can also occur in some soils or conditions)

considerably less energy expenditure

less labour costs

possibly more C sequestration

possible build-up of a weed seedbank

more herbicide

increasing compaction in some soils

increasing surface crusting in some soils

vertical gradient of fertility as there is no incorporation of nutrients and crop residues or other organic inputs (eg. manure) (by other means than natural processes). Nutrients accumulating at the very surface may not be plant available

Water management Irrigation high water and energy cost

restricted water availability

poor water quality

regional management of water bodies and/or local water storage facilities

refine the irrigation techniques to minimize water use efficiency and negative feedbacks on water quality

EU or local directives

improved crop productivity, and hence C input

lesser intra- or inter-annual variability

more buffered SOM mineralization regime (to be confirmed) ???

N.B. can be used for desalinization if good quality water is used to irrigate saline soils

increased mineralization of SOM through continued stimulation of microbial activities

increased risks of nitrate leaching. In the “vulnerable zones” defined by the EU Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEC, it is mandatory to implement “Action Plans”, in which the amount of N applied has been limited

pollution or

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salinization if poor water quality used as a source of water

competition with other water usages

Water erosion prevention techniques

organic inputs

favor soil cover

proper tillage

ploughing according to isoheights

terracing

etc.

poor knowledge of soils and underlying soil properties

associated costs

on-farm / off-farm management

policy encouraging water erosion prevention techniques and conservation agriculture (governmental incentives)

use modelling approaches for tested the many potential scenarios

e.g. use RUSLE and RUSLE2 (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (NRCS, USDA) specifically designed to assess the effects of conservation agriculture practices

restricted losses of water and nutrients

lesser damages on infrastructures and agricultural plots

Crop management Crop rotation specialization of agriculture

market-driven choice of crops rather than agro-ecological concerns

policy encouraging the use of diversified crop rotation (governmental incentives or CAP and subsidies)

more diverse C residues over time

net N input using N2-fixing legumes in the rotations

reduction of losses via diseases and pests

Mulching (incl. cover crops) Cover crop

live cover crop

green mulching

dry mulching (dead cover crop)

considered unsuitable especially in dryland areas (additional water consumption)

allelopathic effects against the following crop in some specific cases

too large change of paradigm

fear of yield loss

new know-how needed

acquisition of local references on the pros and cons of cover crops

implement technology transfer

use modelling approaches for tested the many potential scenarios

e.g. use RUSLE and RUSLE2 (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (NRCS, USDA) specifically designed to assess the effects of conservation agriculture practices

restricted wind erosion

restricted water erosion and runoff (improved infiltration)

improved trafficability (perenial crops)

restricted nutrient leaching losses

improved trafficability

source of C and some nutrients (N, P, K, S)

net N input using N2-fixing legumes as cover crops

allelopathic effects against weeds in some specific cases

competition for resources (water and nutrients)

potential to host pathogens and pests detrimental to main crop

potential allelopathic effects against main crop

complex management (additional operations for planting the next crop)

new knowledge required

fire propagation (dry mulching)

Off-farm products

availability of suitable material

improved trafficability

source of C and possibly some nutrients (N, P, K, S)

induced N deficiency if high C/N ratio

Application of bioeffectors or microbial inoculants

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II - Research results needing to be implemented and partly developed promising concepts Subtopic Why not implemented How to promote further? Main advantages? Risk/downsides?

Application of C-rich inputs Urban and industrial wastes

biochar


risk of pollution that they represent (metals, xenobiotics,...)

lack of knowledge about their composition

policy encouraging the incorporation of biochar (governmental incentives)

document their properties and effects

source of C

positive effect on nutrient retention in light-textured soils

possible source of pollution (metals, xenobiotics,...)

high cost

Diverse sources

composts

poor knowledge of the efficiency (and qualities at large)

potential phytotoxicity

providing proper information about the decay rate (index of compost stability, e.g. ratio of residual/initial carbon of the composting process)

increase knowledge of compost properties (chemical composition, biological (weed seed, bacterial community, etc...) and their change over time (incl. in compost processing stage)

This ratio is known as it is related to input/output C balance of the process

The relevance of this simple ratio needs further assessment

Tillage practices Tillage and all other agricultural practices

long-term studies lacking for assessing the persistence of SOM and its long-term changes

innovative techniques for efficient weed control in conservation agriculture

Water management Irrigation data exist but are scattered

acquire/compile data to define good water management practices

draw general/local guidelines for good water management

Crop management Intercropping problems of recognition

within CAP and subsidies

change of the CAP to include intercrops

policy encouraging the use of intercropping systems (governmental incentives or CAP and subsidies)

more diverse C residues at a time

net N input using N2-fixing legumes in the intercrop

reduction of losses via diseases and pests (to be confirmed ???)

technical difficulties to manage the two crops

technical difficulties for post-harvest grain sorting

Selection of plant species with high root production (and deeper root systems)

breeders do not care about root traits

provide proof of concept for breeders and end-users

belowground added C

subsoil C addition for deeper rooted crops

water and nutrient use efficiency

limitation of nutrient leaching losses

aboveground / belowground C trade-off (risk of yield loss ?)

Mulching or plant cover

Application of bioeffectors or microbial inoculants Bioeffectors lack of field evidence of their

positive effects

registration guidelines to be refined

acquisition of local references on the pros and cons of bioeffectors


promote plant growth, especially root growth and hence C input in soils

high cost

unknown ecotoxicological risks for soil biota

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Microbial inoculants

lack of field evidence of their positive effects

regulation limiting the use of biotic inoculants

only small proportion of soil microorganisms are culturable and know at a phyiological point of view

acquisition of local references on the pros and cons of microbial inoculants


further develop microbial culture techniques and media

promote plant growth, especially root growth and hence C input in soils

net N input using N2-fixing microbial strains

high cost

unknown ecotoxicological risks for soil biota

III - "Operational groups"

Existing "operational groups" Conservation agriculture group - Filipe, Antonio and Gottlieb (Portugal)

Ideas for new "operational groups" Biological indicators of soil quality group - incl. Genosol platform and Elisol Environnement (France)

IV - Needs for innovation (practical and/or research) Areas needing exploration to find

new practical solutions Important knowledge gap? What research or technical innovation

needed to work towards a practical solution?

Application of C-rich inputs Animal manures and slurries Agro-industry by-products Urban and industrial wastes

C vs nutrients (N, P, K, S) stoichiometry and coupling processes as controlled by soil biota

low energy techniques for dehydration of products with high water content ?

pathways to optimize waste treatment processes for ultimately producing high quality sludges

need for cheap analytical techniques to characterize the products

need to refine techniques for dehydration ?

need to design waste treatment techniques targeted to produce high quality sludges (with appropriate stoichiometry, etc...)

Plant residues and by-products C vs nutrients (N, P, K, S) stoichiometry and coupling processes as controlled by soil biota

low cost techniques for chopping ?

need for cheap analytical techniques to characterize the products

need to refine techniques for chopping

Tillage practices No tillage / conservation agriculture large scale assessment of no till

benefits at the soil fertility (all components) and crop level

role of soil biota (incl. plant roots) as alternative to tillage

design long term trials and networks of multi-local 'experimental' plots (and include biological indicators when assessing them)

implement participatory research to test such agroecological innovation and facilitate its adoption

design adequate machinery for sowing under no till conditions

Water management

Crop management Crop rotation Intercropping

impact of (crop) plant diversity (in space and time) on soil biota and the fate of SOM

quantitative assessment of how N2-fixing legumes affect C cycling in rotations or intercrops


implement participatory research to test such agroecological innovation and facilitate its adoption

design adequate machinery for sowing, harvesting intercrops (and sorting the grains)

Selection of plant species with high root relative contribution (and vertical design novel techniques to estimate the flux

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production (and deeper root systems) distribution) of below-ground parts of plants to C input (including root biomass, mycorrhizal structures and rhizodeposits) for a range of plant species/genotypes and systems

fate of these sources of C relative to above-ground parts

phenotyping techniques for rapid assessment of such traits

of C allocated below-ground in field-grown plants (incl. high throughput techniques)

collect dataset on root turnover and impact as a function of soil depth

Mulching or plant cover Cover crop identify suitable species for various

climatic zones incl. dryland areas

quantitative assessment of pros and cons for the following crop and in the long run


evaluate the impact on various ecosystem services

Application of bioeffectors or microbial inoculants Bioeffectors quantitative assessment of the

various effects - identification of underlying mechanisms and ranking of these

evaluation of impacts on soil biota

design field trials and networks of multi-local 'experimental' plots (in diverse conditions)

Microbial inoculants quantitative assessment of the various effects - identification of underlying mechanisms and ranking of these

nature of inoculum (single or multi-species, conservation techniques...)

evaluation of impacts on soil biota

implement quality control techniques for evaluating the microbial inoculants

design field trials and networks of multi-local 'experimental' plots (in diverse conditions re. soil / climate / agroecosystems)

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TABLE 2: TECHNIQUES DESIGNED AT MONITORING THE SOM CONTENT OF MEDITERRANEAN SOILS, AND RELATED, RELEVANT SOIL PROPERTIES


High throughput/low cost analytical techniques for determining SOM content NIRS-MIRS (lab)

Near Infra Red Spectroscopy

Mid Infra Red Spectroscopy

largely used in research, but not in routine soil test labs (lesser accuracy than conventional technique ?)

demonstrate for soil types of the Mediterranean regions that the accuracy is good enough

develop statistical tools to overcome the interferences of water content and soil roughness for in situ VisNIRS measurements

very low cost (mostly the cost of equipment and sample handling)

portable in the field (VisNIRS)

prediction and accuracy maybe good in some soil types but poor in others

Remote sensing technologies

Hyperspectral cameras (airborne/ satellite)

portable systems on tractors

implemented at large scales (country) to estimate soil C stocks (C market), but not so much at field or farm scales

restricted use in soils with permanent vegetation cover

demonstrate the application in precision agriculture

educate farmers, advisors and extension services about spatial variability of soil properties, incl. SOM

use field radiometer to distinguish better the signal of the vegetation and SOM

extremely low cost

assess spatial and temporal variabililty across broad range of scales (plot-country)

prediction and accuracy maybe good in some soil types but poor in others

Database construction and reference values for diagnostic purposes SOM content

implemented in some

countries at large scales (e.g. France, Spain) or European level (JRC)

cost limitation, especially for large-scale and/or long-term monitoring

standardize the procedures across countries

aggregate the existing databases and conduct meta-analyses

refine the classes to better define what is too low or adequate, depending on targeted ecosystem service according to soil types

better knowledge of the starting point (for the purpose of monitoring the fate of SOM)

provide relevant guidelines for Mediterranean soils and agroecosystems

a given SOM may be considered adequate for some use, but not for others

(need to adjust to objective and also raise awareness about analytical uncertainties)

SOM quality

SOM

organic sources of input of C

confined to research or few localities/systems (high costs of determination)

more largely implemented for defining e.g. compost qualiies

few routine labs as market is reduced so far



search for alternative analytical techniques (use of IR spectrometry again ?)

draw link with the functionality and potential fate of SOM (or organic inputs)

biaised dataset so far as confined to few localities/systems

Soil quality

Biological indicators



lack of appropriate references and guidelines



assess the added-value of fast-developing technologies in the molecular ecology sector

assess/develop novel multi-criteria indices

more relevant at a funtional point of view than SOM content (as long as links are drawn between the indicators and the funtionalities)

multiple and possibly contradictory indicators

more focus on biodiversity than functional diversity

SOM quality assessment - (bio)chemical / (bio)physical components (Bio)chemical properties

SOM


confined to research or few localities/systems (high costs of determination) except for elemental (CNPS) contents

more largely implemented for defining e.g. compost qualiies

search for alternative analytical techniques (use of IR spectrometry again ?)

use of techniques such as thermo-gravimetry, loss on ignition, etc...

establish pedotransfer

better assess in a large range of soils and agroecosystems the links with the functionality and potential fate of SOM (or organic inputs)

fate of SOM is only partly related to biochemical composition

fate of SOM is only partly

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few routine labs (except for elemental (CNPS) contents) as market is reduced so far

functions and relationships between different methods

related to chemical composition (CNPS ratios)

(Bio)physical properties

SOM


confined to research or few localities/systems (high costs of determination and tedious procedures)

few routine labs as market is reduced so far and procedures can hardly be automated

search for options to get the procedures simplified or automated

better link with the functionality and potential fate of SOM (or organic inputs)

fate of SOM is only partly related to intrinsic biophysical properties of SOM

Soil quality assessment - biological component Soil microbial communities

microbial biomass

microbial diversity

microbial activities


few routine labs as market is reduced so far / mostly measuring biomass or respirometric activity


current development of molecular determination of microbial biomass (and diversity index) are becoming cheaper and high-throughput

develop databases and guidelines to relate to soil functionalities

microorganisms are key players of the biogeochemical cycles but more research needed to get molecular tools that relate to specific processes in C cycling

other quite high-throughput tools available for microbial activities (MicroResp and alikes)

microbial biomass often correlated with SOM content, and hence does not add much more information

microbial activities that are most often assessed indicate a potential activity, which might be quite different in situ (temperature, humidity)

Soil fauna

macrofaune (earthworms)

mesofauna

microfauna (nematodes, protozoa)

confined to research or few localities/systems (high costs of determination) as require expertise (identification of groups or species based on observation)


develop expertise and tools to identify the earthworm categories and nematode functional groups

current development of molecular determination of microfauna (abundance and diversity indices) under progress

develop standardized protocoles, databases and guidelines to relate to soil functionalities for some groups (done for nematode communities)

earthworms and other groups of macro- or mesofauna are key players for incorporating C in the soil and controlling its cycling - they are easy to communicate on with farmers and public

microfauna plays a key role in regulating microbial communities and are thus more integrative of soil food web

lack of direct link with C cycling and the fate and nature of SOM

Enzymatic activities

C cycle

nutrient (NPS) cycles

confined to research or few localities/systems



refine and standardize the analytical procedures (develop ISO standard procedures)

develop kits for more high-throughput assessment (possibly used in situ ?)

develop databases and guidelines to relate to soil functionalities

lack of adequate method for many portions of the biogeochemical cycles of C (and P)

directly related to specific processes along the biogeochemical cycles of CNPS

largely influenced by operating conditions (notably pH) - thus rather represeningt potential activities

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High throughput/low cost analytical techniques for determining SOM content portable VisNIRS -MIRS devices

dedicated to SOM or NPS

the interferences of water content and soil roughness expected to be limiting

develop proper statistical tools to overcome this limitation (chemometry)

portable in the field and thus virtually no cost

locally-adapted prediction of SOM (or NPS)

Novel sensing technologies

unknown at this stage

Database construction and reference values for diagnostic purposes SOM content SOM quality

difficulty to compile and compare different sources of readily available information (sampling, pre-treatment or analytical techniques may differ)

data mining and meta-analyses including non European Mediterranean regions of the world ?

account only for those results sharing the same techniques

define most generic relationships

more specific relationships may be more relevant

Soil quality

functional trait approach

confined to ecology and mostly to plants or animals

build-up on what is existing on soil fauna

expand to microorganisms (to get beyond the species and biodiversity-centered approaches)

draw general relationships between ecosystem or soil functions and measurable indicators

the general relationship maybe of little significance in a local, specific context

SOM quality assessment - biochemical / biophysical components SOM quality

fingerprinting approach

need to find appropriate analytical technique / range of techniques

mimick what is being developed in the food industry

provide an integrative and comprehensive measurement of a broad range of properties at a time

Soil quality assessment - biological component Soil microbial communities

fingerprinting approach

need to find appropriate analytical technique / range of techniques to include

expand on what is already existing (eg. PLFA profiles and molecular fingerprinting)

provide an integrative and comprehensive measurement of a broad range of properties at a time

Soil fauna

functional trait approach

molecular approaches

confined to ecology and mostly to plants or animals

few specialists of the various groups of fauna being capable of identifying the species

build-up on what is existing for some categories of soil macrofauna or microfauna

develop molecular tools for eukaryotes

draw general relationships between ecosystem or soil functions and measurable indicators

the general relationship maybe of little significance in a local, specific context

Enzymatic activities

C cycle

P and S cycles

poorly known and standardized

refine and standardize the analytical procedures (develop ISO standard procedures)

develop kits for more high-throughput assessment (possibly used in situ ?) for those portions of these cycles that are poorly documented

further disseminate

directly related to specific processes along the biogeochemical cycles of C, P and S

largely influenced by operating conditions (notably pH) - thus rather represeningt potential activities


Existing "operational groups" ADEME Bio-indicators project ? (France)

Ideas for new "operational groups" Field application of VisNIRS for SOM determination / HelioSPIR Montpellier (France)

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High throughput/low cost analytical techniques for determining SOM content design low-cost SOM-dedicated portable

device for field measurements by farmers or advisors (VisNIRS-based)

further assess the impact of the local conditioning of sample (water content, surface roughness) across a diversity of soils

chemometry development required that could be locally adapted and evolving

Database construction and reference values for diagnostic purposes exploit databases for defining proper

guidelines to be used for diagnostic pruposes

building of comprehensive, databases no bottleneck here

need to compile data and include relevant measurements in on-going experimental sites pr farmer's plot networks

SOM quality assessment - biochemical / biophysical components fingerprinting (synthetic approach,

rather than analytical (one property at a time)

paradigm shift required in the community of soil biochemists

mimick what is being developed in other sectors such as the food industry

Soil quality assessment - biological component functional approaches or indices lack of appropriate molecular tools

(functional genes) in soil microbial communities and soil fauna

develop such tools and mimick the approach developed in plant ecology for natural ecosystems or pastures

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TABLE 3: KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND ADOPTION OF NOVEL TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING THE SOM CONTENT OF MEDITERRANEAN SOILS


Means to encourage a change in practice (see also information- communication section) Demonstration trials

with farmers' networks

lack of organized structures (extension services) to disseminate novel techniques in many European countries (advisors being mostly in the agro-industry sector)

lack of existing, structured networks of farmers in many areas and/or countries

encourage novel practices in the Best Practice Manuals / conditoning CAP subsidies

encourage extension services (or equivalent) to structure such networks

develop extension services and promote the involvement of farmers' groups

real-world conditions proof of concept

opportunity to exchange about the whole system change

has only local effects (neighbours) and requires being replicated

requires pioneer farmers ready to conduct the trials for demonstration purposes

Education

for farmers

for advisors

has been starting with adult learning

to be implemented in schools and university (undergraduate levels)

raise the awareness on the importance of SOM and soil quality management among the people in charge of the educational programmes

promote freely available e-learning tools

education can assist further in creating an understanding of the need for change

is the only option for long-term, sustained change

it takes long and needs considerable investment (teachers need to be educated themselves)

Decision support tools for making right decisions Decision support tools (models)

to assist farmers in the right choice of techniques

to assist advisors for providing expertise

often restricted to research (too elaborated, not user-friendly for non specialist, or for occasional users)

tools to be developed for farmers and/or advisors (they should be involved in the elaboration of the tools)

novel modeling techniques (e.g. multi-agent, multi-actor, game-based) can promote the adoption/use of such approaches

comprenhensive and quantitative approach of the problem

compiling expert views that can be enriched over time

inadequacy of the model parametrization to the local conditions

lack of information about uncertainties

ex.: Operational decision tree

dedicated to SOM management

dedicated to soil quality management

the quantitative impact of numerous processes is still unknown and thus scientists are reluctant at elaborating such an operational tool

estimating the uncertainties and communicating about these

integrating soil/climate conditions, farm specificities, nature/quality of potential sources of C etc.

holistic view of the problem

assessment of the efficiency of the various strategies

see above

Knowledge transfer and sharing information to/with farmer and advisors Experience sharing

farmer self-help groups

Best Practice Manuals

cultural barriers : not easy to implement in areas or countries that have no tradition in openness and sharing experiences

model needed that suits areas or countries where there is not such an ‘open’ culture

trustworthy forum for knowledge exchange

suitable for transfer and dissemination of knowledge from research to farms

geographical constraints as self-help groups require proximity

Participatory research

involving farmers and/or advisors at all steps of the process (design/assess)

requires a change of paradigm as it assumes that new knowledge is not only coming from the scientists

requires strong involvement of all partners

communicate on positive results of participatory research (former success stories in the adoption of innovations)

trustworthy forum for knowledge exchange

suitable for transfer and dissemination of knowledge from research to farms and, reciprocally from farmers to scientists

considerably helps adoption of the

restriction to techniques that local group of farmers wish to test (need to volunteer)

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tested innovations

Information - communication Conventional media

for farmers

for advisors

for the public

SOM and soil quality not yet recognized as a major issue for agriculture sustainability

using different channels and formats: by professional journals, manual of best management practices in the different European languages

European Atlas of Soil Biodiversity (EUR 24375 EN), published in 2010 by Joint Research Centre’s Institute for Environment and Sustainability of EC as an example to raise public awareness about soil biology and biodiversity

using labels promoting eco (or C)-friendly approaches (conservation agriculture for instance)

informing large number of end-users

need to convince the editors/authors of what is at stake with SOM and soil quality management

Novel communication technologies

for farmers

for advisors

for the public

SOM and soil quality not yet recognized as a major issue for agriculture sustainability

subject is not obvious to communicate for the general public

using different channels and formats: by video (internet and TV programmes), free-access online educational programmes, cartoons and games, online guidelines in the different European languages

e.g. 7-family game for educating children about soil biodiversity and the functions of soil biota (developed by Eco&Sols)

creativity, novelty and multiplicity of the internet-based tools

more appealing to young audience and children

may be of limited use for the older fraction of the targeted groups


Means to encourage a change in practice Demonstration trials

with farmers' networks

lessons drawn in other sectors of agricultural innovation (eg. organic farming systems) and social sciences (group management)

Education

for farmers

for advisors

e.g. get involved in the ongoing development of the virtual university of agroecology in France

expand this medium to other countries

Decision support tools for making right decisions Decision support tools (models)

e.g. operational decision tree for SOM

survey of the existing tools (possibly developed outisde of Europe or Mediterranean regions) and conduct a comparative assessment

Knowledge transfer and sharing information to/with farmer and advisors Participatory research

identify positive results of participatory research (former success stories in the adoption of innovations) to promote

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this approach

Information - communication Novel communication technologies

for farmers

for advisors

for the public

interact with experts in novel communication technologies, in other sectors that are possibly more active/innovative (food, health ?)

avoid re-inventing the wheel


Existing "operational groups" Conservation agriculture group - Filipe, Antonio and Gottlieb (Portugal)

Ideas for new "operational groups" SOM management Decision tree group - MP authors (Greece)




Means to encourage a change in practice cost-benefit analysis for end user /

consequence assessments consequence assessments /

establishment of cost-benefit at farm level are necessary to drive change in behaviour

taxation/pricing strategies (or subsidies)

on the effects of pricing/taxation strategies (or subsidies)

Decision tools for making right decisions operational tools for decision making

dedicated to SOM and/or soil quality management

quantitative relationships between soil biota and the fate of SOM

general relationships between practices and SOM content and quality

compile existing datasets and experiments

elaborate user-friendly tools for various types of end-users

operational tools for decision making dedicated to SOM and/or soil quality management in Mediterranean areas

even less documented in Mediterranean regions (to check in Australia and/or California)

same in Mediterranean areas worlwide

Knowledge transfer and sharing information to/with farmer and advisors Experience sharing

farmer self-help groups

Best Practice Manuals

techniques to cope with cultural limitations to (i) share the knowledge with peers and (ii) innovate (unlock lock-in situations)

Contribute further elaborating dedicated Best Practice Manuals

Participatory research

involving farmers and/or advisors at all steps of the process (design/assess)

need to raise awareness among farmers that they are part of the innovation process, which require sharing know-how

learn from other innovative sectors (organic farmibg or high-tech industry)

Information - communication Conventional media

for farmers

for advisors

for the public

potential positive/negative impact of labels promoting eco (or C)-friendly approaches (conservation agriculture for instance) is unknown

design labels promoting eco (or C)-friendly approaches (conservation agriculture for instance)

Novel communication technologies

for farmers

for advisors

for the public

lacking on SOM and soil quality in Mediterranean regions

using a broad variety of media : video (internet and TV programmes), free-access online educational programmes, cartoons and games, online guidelines

Documents

TABLE 1: PRACTICES DESIGNED AT ENHANCING THE SOM … · Mulching (incl. cover crops) Cover crop live cover crop cons of cover cropsgreen mulching consumption) dry mulching (dead cover