Assessing the effects on water resources and greenhouse gas emissions of fallow versus cover crops

This project aims to enhance the understanding of how fallow versus cover crops influence the water and nitrogen balance in the Campo de Cartagena area of southeast Spain, as well as the economic feasibility under current and future climatic conditions. By studying these various indicators, the researchers hope to provide recommendations for improving the sustainability of this prevalent type of agriculture in Mediterranean climates.

Intensive agriculture with crop rotation is commonly practiced in dry climates, such as the Mediterranean region, where climate change is expected to increase the prevalence of droughts and high-intensity rainfall events. This interdisciplinary project seeks to enhance the understanding of how different crop rotation practices impact water and nitrogen balances, while also quantifying various environmental and economic indicators. Focusing on the highly productive Campo de Cartagena area in southeast Spain, the project will develop models that incorporate various climate change scenarios. The work will employ a bottom-up approach, combining numerical modeling with field data and insights from local actors, including farmers, policymakers, and water authorities.

The combination of plot and regional scale modeling will provide crucial information into the environmental suitability of replacing a cash crop with a fallow period or a cover crop, and determine the optimal timing needed to achieve environmental benefits. Additionally, Data Envelopment Analysis will estimate how different cover crop practices affect the environmental and economic efficiency of agriculture in Campo de Cartagena. The results will be shared with farmers, producer associations, and policymakers to support the implementation of more sustainable agricultural practices.