Studies that have investigated soil carbon dynamics under Mediterranean conditions are scarce and fragmented and contrasting results have often been reported. This study aimed to fill some gaps in our knowledge by: (i) determining annual dynamics of total (RS) and heterotrophic (RH) soil respiration; (ii) estimating annual cumulative RS and RH; and (iii) investigating the relationships between RS and RH and soil temperature and water content. The study was carried out in central Italy, for a plain and a hilly site, with the focus on two main cropping systems: an alfalfa-based forage system and a wheat-based rotation system. RS and RH showed different dynamics, with spatial and temporal variability across these sites. Estimated annual cumulative RS fluxes were 8.97 and 7.43 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly alfalfa-based sites, respectively, and 4.67 and 5.22 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly wheat-based sites, respectively. The RH components of RS were 4.26 and 3.52 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly alfalfa-based sites, respectively, and 3.89 and 2.45 t C ha–1 yr–1 for the plain and hilly wheat-based sites, respectively. A model with a combination of soil temperature and soil water content explained 43 % to 49 % and 33 % to 67 % of the annual variation of RS and RH, respectively. These findings help to extend our knowledge of Mediterranean cropping systems, although further studies are needed to clarify the effects of management practices on the modelling of soil respiration efflux.

Mediterranean pastoral systems are providers of a wide array of Nature’s Contribution to People (NCP). They are ‘complex systems’ characterized by limited resources and socio-economic dynamics currently threatened by climate and social changes. Despite a growing number of scientific articles dealing with NCP, there is a high risk that the existing literature has left out the complexity of such systems. In the light of ongoing social, economic, and climatic changes in the Mediterranean basin, neglecting the complexity of pastoral systems can lead to significant research biases, missing the priorities affecting the stability and continuity of such systems. A combination of frameworks of analysis provided by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services was applied to understand if and to what extent the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been considered in the available literature. Most of the 126 papers report studies conducted in the European Union zone (102 papers), with the majority in Spain (50). Fewer studies have been conducted in the Middle East (15 papers) and Africa zones (9 papers). Despite results confirming the importance of pastoral systems as providers of NCP, most of the eligible papers focused on regulating NCP. A lack of a multisectoral approach and integration of knowledge suggests that the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been overlooked by researchers. The creation of ‘hybrid knowledge’ bridging the expertise of different stakeholders could be the key ingredient to properly address the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems.

Soil acts as a natural source and sink for greenhouse gases (GHG) that are responsible for global warming and climate change. As the agricultural sector has an important impact on GHG (e.g., CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) emissions, the definition of mitigation strategies is needed, especially for the Mediterranean climate areas that appear most vulnerable to climate change. The introduction of perennial legumes, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), falls within this scope, but it requires the application of a termination method aimed at reduction of GHG emissions. With the aim of assessing the short-term effects of two different alfalfa termination methods (Tillage vs No tillage plus herbicide), we defined the hypothesis that alfalfa termination by Tillage will increase soil GHG emissions compared to its termination by No tillage plus herbicide. Soil CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O emissions were monitored over ~2 months (71 days; October–December, 2017) following alfalfa termination, using closed static chambers. The soil total GHG emissions after 71 days were significantly different for Tillage and No tillage plus herbicide: 311.90 ±21.21 versus 195.89 ±11.14 g CO₂ equivalent m⁻², respectively. For both termination methods, CO₂ (up to a maximum value of 1.24 ±0.18 and 0.65± 0.07 kg C-CO₂ ha⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively) was the greatest contributor to the total soil GHG emissions (about 96%), compared to N₂O (up to a maximum value of 0.37 ±0.13 and 0.31± 0.10 g N-N₂O ha⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively) and CH₄ (up to a maximum value of −0.01 ±0.03 and 0.07 ±0.03 g C-CH₄ ha⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively). These data suggest that over the short term, legume perennial crop termination by No tillage plus herbicide better supports the purpose of climate regulations.

Secondary origin grasslands are widespread habitats that provide a wide array of ecosystem services. Their conservation relies on management practices that can, in turn, alter their soil carbon cycle to result in higher soil respiration rates. In the perspective of social and climate change scenarios, there is the need to seek the best management practices for conservation of secondary origin grasslands, climate mitigation and economic sustainability for farmers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increasing the customary practice of mowing twice a year to monthly mowing through the growing season (when herbage production was feasible; i.e., >0.5 t/ha dry matter) generates changes to the drivers and rates of soil respiration of fertilized Bromus erectus‐dominated grasslands. Soil CO₂ efflux, temperature and moisture were recorded over 3 years (2016–2018) under these “customary” and “monthly” mowing frequencies (twice per year; 4–6 times per year, respectively). Soil CO₂ efflux, temperature and moisture were not affected by the higher mowing frequency over the study period. Independent of mowing frequency, soil water content was the main driver of soil CO₂ emissions during the growing season (April to October, inclusive), whereas soil temperature was the main driver during the nongrowing season (November to March, inclusive). Therefore, increasing the customary mowing of twice a year to the monthly mowing frequency through the growing season does not impact upon soil respiration of B. erectus‐dominated grasslands, at least over a 3‐year period.