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Olive cultivation is expanding rapidly in the northwestern part of Greece, under both rainfed and irrigated practices. Irrigation can result in larger yields and economic returns, but trade-offs in the water–energy–pollution nexus remain a controversial and challenging issue. This study presents an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Greek olive orchard systems in the plain of Arta (Epirus), comparing rainfed (baseline), Decision Support System (DSS)-based (smart) irrigation practices and farmer experience-based (conventional) irrigation practices. The contributions in this paper are, first, to provide a first quantitative indication of the environmental performance of Greek olive growing systems under different management strategies, and second, to detail the advantages that can be achieved using smart irrigation in olive cultivation in the Greek and Mediterranean contexts. Eighteen midpoints (e.g., climate change, water scarcity, acidification, freshwater eutrophication, etc.), two endpoints (damages on human health and ecosystem quality), and a single score (overall environmental impact) were quantified using the IMPACT World+ life cycle impact assessment method. The LCA model was set up using the OpenLCA software v1.10.3. The functional units were 1 ton of product (mass-based) and 1 ha of cultivated area (area-based) on a cradle-to-farm gate perspective. Irrigated systems had the lowest impacts per mass unit due to higher yields, but showed the highest impacts per cultivated area. The DSS-based irrigation management could reduce water and energy use by 42.1% compared to conventional practices. This is translated into a reduction of 5.3% per 1 ton and 10.4% per 1 ha of the total environmental impact. A sensitivity analysis of impact assessment models demonstrated that the benefits could be up to 18% for 1 ton of product or 22.6% for 1 ha of cultivated land. These results outline that DSS-based irrigation is a promising option to support less resource-intensive and sustainable intensification of irrigated agriculture systems in the plain of Arta.
Konstantina Fotia; Andi Mehmeti; Ioannis Tsirogiannis; George Nanos; Andreas Mamolos; Nikolaos Malamos; Pantelis Barouchas; Mladen Todorovic. LCA-Based Environmental Performance of Olive Cultivation in Northwestern Greece: From Rainfed to Irrigated through Conventional and Smart Crop Management Practices. Water 2021, 13, 1954 .
AMA StyleKonstantina Fotia, Andi Mehmeti, Ioannis Tsirogiannis, George Nanos, Andreas Mamolos, Nikolaos Malamos, Pantelis Barouchas, Mladen Todorovic. LCA-Based Environmental Performance of Olive Cultivation in Northwestern Greece: From Rainfed to Irrigated through Conventional and Smart Crop Management Practices. Water. 2021; 13 (14):1954.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKonstantina Fotia; Andi Mehmeti; Ioannis Tsirogiannis; George Nanos; Andreas Mamolos; Nikolaos Malamos; Pantelis Barouchas; Mladen Todorovic. 2021. "LCA-Based Environmental Performance of Olive Cultivation in Northwestern Greece: From Rainfed to Irrigated through Conventional and Smart Crop Management Practices." Water 13, no. 14: 1954.
Agricultural fields have natural within-field soil variations that can be extensive, are usually contiguous, and are not always traceable. As a result, in many cases, site-specific attention is required to adjust inputs and optimize crop performance. Researchers, such as agronomists, agricultural engineers, or economists and other scientists, have shown increased interest in performing yield monitor data analysis to improve farmers’ decision-making concerning the better management of the agronomic inputs in the fields, while following a much more sustainable approach. In this case, spatial analysis of crop yield data with the form of spatial autocorrelation analysis can be used as a practical sustainable approach to locate statistically significant low-production areas. The resulted insights can be used as prescription maps on the tractors to reduce overall inputs and farming costs. This aim of this work is to present the benefits of conducting spatial analysis of yield crop data as a sustainable approach. Current work proves that the implementation of this process is costless, easy to perform and provides a better understanding of the current agronomic needs for better decision-making within a short time, adopting a sustainable approach.
Thomas Koutsos; Georgios Menexes; Andreas Mamolos. The Use of Crop Yield Autocorrelation Data as a Sustainable Approach to Adjust Agronomic Inputs. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2362 .
AMA StyleThomas Koutsos, Georgios Menexes, Andreas Mamolos. The Use of Crop Yield Autocorrelation Data as a Sustainable Approach to Adjust Agronomic Inputs. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (4):2362.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas Koutsos; Georgios Menexes; Andreas Mamolos. 2021. "The Use of Crop Yield Autocorrelation Data as a Sustainable Approach to Adjust Agronomic Inputs." Sustainability 13, no. 4: 2362.
The development of agriculture is linked to energy resources. Consequently, energy analysis in agroecosystems could be a useful tool for monitoring some measures in the agricultural sector to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The objectives of this study were to (a) evaluate differences of energy indices in orange and kiwi orchards, and (b) point out whether inputs, outputs, efficiency, productivity, and carbon footprint can play a key role in crop replacement. Proportional stratified random sampling was used to select 26 orchards (10 oranges, 16 kiwis) from the Prefecture of Arta, western Greece, during 2015 and 2016. Univariate statistical methods were combined with multivariate ones. Nitrogen, Mg, Zn, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, renewable energy inputs, fruit production, total outputs, and energy efficiency and productivity were statistically significantly high in the orange orchards. Phosphorus, Ca, irrigation, machinery, total inputs, intensity, non-renewable energy consumption, and carbon footprint were statistically significantly high in the kiwi orchards. The most important energy inputs for both fruit crops were fertilizers, fuels, irrigation, machinery, and herbicides. The orange orchards seem to be more friendly to the environment than the kiwi orchards by having low total energy inputs 32,210.3 MJ ha−1, intensity 1.4, consumption of non-renewable energy 0.7 MJ kg−1 and CO2 equivalent/fruit production 0.08 kg kg−1, and high energy outputs 105,120.0 MJ ha−1 and fruit production 53,648.0 kg ha−1. The findings of the present study show a relation between climate change and the production of farming systems, which can be a tool for decision makers. The correlation of the abovementioned parameters ensure higher profits and could help in achieving the best possible sustainable management of the agricultural ecosystems.
Anastasios Mazis; Vassilis D. Litskas; Dimitrios P. Platis; Georgios C. Menexes; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Andreas P. Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Could energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in agroecosystems play a key role in crop replacement? A case study in orange and kiwi orchards. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2021, 28, 29421 -29431.
AMA StyleAnastasios Mazis, Vassilis D. Litskas, Dimitrios P. Platis, Georgios C. Menexes, Christos D. Anagnostopoulos, Aggeliki D. Tsaboula, Andreas P. Mamolos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Could energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in agroecosystems play a key role in crop replacement? A case study in orange and kiwi orchards. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; 28 (23):29421-29431.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnastasios Mazis; Vassilis D. Litskas; Dimitrios P. Platis; Georgios C. Menexes; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Andreas P. Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2021. "Could energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in agroecosystems play a key role in crop replacement? A case study in orange and kiwi orchards." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28, no. 23: 29421-29431.
Agroecosystem energy analysis is a useful tool for tracking some of the measures taken in the agricultural sector to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve the Paris Agreement climate targets. The objectives of this study were to (a) determine differences in energy inputs among tomato farming systems (greenhouse, open-field, and hydroponic), (b) group tomato farms according to energy productivity, energy efficiency, and carbon and blue water footprints, and (c) compare the carbon and blue water footprints of farming systems. Twenty farms (ten open-field and ten greenhouse farms) were selected via proportional stratified random sampling from the municipalities of Volvi and Lagkadas in northern Greece for study during 2015–2016, and one hydroponic farm (the “gold standard”) in the prefecture of Imathia in northern Greece was chosen for study during the same period. A combination of univariate and multivariate statistical methods was applied. Previously unrevealed similarities between farming systems were demonstrated by applying hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) with energy productivity, energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and blue water footprint as variables. HCA indicated that seven of the ten greenhouse farms and the hydroponic farm were in the same cluster. The energy productivity and energy efficiency were highest for the hydroponic farm and statistically significantly higher in the greenhouse farms than in the open-field farms. The hydroponic farm had the smallest carbon footprint, while the greenhouse farms had the smallest blue water footprints. The greenhouses used statistically significantly less fuel, fertilizers, herbicides, stringing, and total energy than the open-field farms. The most important energy inputs were irrigation, fuel, and fertilizers for the open-field farms and greenhouses, and electricity and fertilizers for the hydroponic farm. Overall, the hydroponic system was found to be the most environmentally friendly. The above agrienvironmental indices may be useful to decision makers attempting to regulate the fragile balance between climate change and agricultural production.
Dimitrios P. Platis; Andreas P. Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; George C. Menexes; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula. Analysis of energy and carbon and blue water footprints in agriculture: a case study of tomato cultivation systems. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration 2021, 6, 1 -10.
AMA StyleDimitrios P. Platis, Andreas P. Mamolos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji, George C. Menexes, Christos D. Anagnostopoulos, Aggeliki D. Tsaboula. Analysis of energy and carbon and blue water footprints in agriculture: a case study of tomato cultivation systems. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. 2021; 6 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios P. Platis; Andreas P. Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; George C. Menexes; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula. 2021. "Analysis of energy and carbon and blue water footprints in agriculture: a case study of tomato cultivation systems." Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration 6, no. 1: 1-10.
Most terrestrial plants depend strongly on associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Subphylum: Glomeromycotina) to establish and survive (Bever, 2002; van der Heijden et al., 1998; Klironomos et al., 2011; Veresoglou et al., 2017), and have evolved a nutritional mutualism. In this mutualism, the plant provides carbon to the fungus, usually subject to the availability of light (Hayman 1970; Heinemeyer et al., 2003; Shi et al. 2014; Konvalinkova & Jansa, 2016), and the fungus provides the plant with mineral nutrients acquired from soil. Because of light constraints, it is expected that latitude exerts a strong influence on reciprocal exchange of resources between mycorrhizal plants and fungi, and this could have consequences on the responsiveness of plants to mycorrhizal fungi. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Stavros D. Veresoglou; Baodong Chen; Matthias M. Fischer; Thorunn Helgason; Andreas P. Mamolos; Matthias C. Rillig; Antonio Roldán; David Johnson. Latitudinal constraints in responsiveness of plants to arbuscular mycorrhiza: the ‘sun‐worshipper’ hypothesis. New Phytologist 2019, 224, 552 -556.
AMA StyleStavros D. Veresoglou, Baodong Chen, Matthias M. Fischer, Thorunn Helgason, Andreas P. Mamolos, Matthias C. Rillig, Antonio Roldán, David Johnson. Latitudinal constraints in responsiveness of plants to arbuscular mycorrhiza: the ‘sun‐worshipper’ hypothesis. New Phytologist. 2019; 224 (2):552-556.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStavros D. Veresoglou; Baodong Chen; Matthias M. Fischer; Thorunn Helgason; Andreas P. Mamolos; Matthias C. Rillig; Antonio Roldán; David Johnson. 2019. "Latitudinal constraints in responsiveness of plants to arbuscular mycorrhiza: the ‘sun‐worshipper’ hypothesis." New Phytologist 224, no. 2: 552-556.
Agriculture accounts for 5% of the entire energy used worldwide. Most of it is not in a renewable form, so it can be linked to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Paris Agreement, on climate change, one of its major targets is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the agricultural production process must drastically change. Currently, the sustainable use of water is critical for any agricultural development. Agricultural production effects water quality and sufficiency, as well as, freshwater wetlands. Energy balance, carbon, and water footprint are crucial for sustainable agricultural production. Agroforestry systems are important in reducing high inputs of non-renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions, along with better water use, leading to the most minimal influence on climate change. Energy analysis, carbon, and water footprint can be applied to agroforestry systems’ production. An outline could be applied by adopting a modified—for agricultural production—life cycle assessment methodology to assess energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption in agroforestry ecosystems.
Dimitrios Platis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Georgios C. Menexes; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Andreas P. Mamolos. Energy Analysis, and Carbon and Water Footprint for Environmentally Friendly Farming Practices in Agroecosystems and Agroforestry. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1664 .
AMA StyleDimitrios Platis, Christos Anagnostopoulos, Aggeliki D. Tsaboula, Georgios C. Menexes, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji, Andreas P. Mamolos. Energy Analysis, and Carbon and Water Footprint for Environmentally Friendly Farming Practices in Agroecosystems and Agroforestry. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (6):1664.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDimitrios Platis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Georgios C. Menexes; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Andreas P. Mamolos. 2019. "Energy Analysis, and Carbon and Water Footprint for Environmentally Friendly Farming Practices in Agroecosystems and Agroforestry." Sustainability 11, no. 6: 1664.
The assessment of energy flow in agroecosystems can help to select the best management strategies for cultivated species. Conventional and organic vineyards and kiwi orchards along with conventional, integrated and organic apple orchards were selected from sites located both in and out Natura 2000 network to (a) determine energy efficiency of the farming systems, (b) estimate gas emissions along with carbon and water footprint, (c) reveal groups of farming systems on the basis of their similarities to energy efficiency, carbon and water footprint. Forty one farms (ten conventional and five organic vineyards; five conventional and three organic kiwi orchards; six conventional, four organic and eight integrated apple orchards) were selected during the years 2010–2013 in the Prefecture of Pella, northern Greece. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed three main Groups of farms. In descending order, the contributors in cluster formation were CO2-equivalent, energy efficiency, and water footprint. Group 3 had the highest CO2-equivalent per fruit production. The vineyards of Group 3 located at the highest altitude resulted in highest labor, diesel, branch shoring, intensity, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, and N2O). They showed the lowest irrigation, total water consumption, energy outputs, and energy productivity. Group 2 had the highest water consumption per fruit production. Group 1 showed high environmental advantages since it had the lowest CO2-equivalent, the highest energy efficiency, and intermediate water footprint. The above indices are useful to decision makers for seeking crops and farming systems in order to regulate the fragile balance between Natura 2000 network and agriculture.
Marios C. Michos; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy flow, carbon and water footprints in vineyards and orchards to determine environmentally favourable sites in accordance with Natura 2000 perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 187, 400 -408.
AMA StyleMarios C. Michos, George Menexes, Andreas P. Mamolos, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Christos Anagnostopoulos, Aggeliki D. Tsaboula, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy flow, carbon and water footprints in vineyards and orchards to determine environmentally favourable sites in accordance with Natura 2000 perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 187 ():400-408.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarios C. Michos; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Aggeliki D. Tsaboula; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2018. "Energy flow, carbon and water footprints in vineyards and orchards to determine environmentally favourable sites in accordance with Natura 2000 perspective." Journal of Cleaner Production 187, no. : 400-408.
Theodora Malamidou; Anna E. Nikolaidou; Andreas P. Mamolos; Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve; Sofia Kostopoulou; Georgios C. Menexes; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. Litter dynamics of Olea europaea subsp. Europaea residues related to soil properties and microbial N-biomass in a Mediterranean agroecosystem. European Journal of Soil Biology 2018, 84, 11 -18.
AMA StyleTheodora Malamidou, Anna E. Nikolaidou, Andreas P. Mamolos, Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve, Sofia Kostopoulou, Georgios C. Menexes, Christos Anagnostopoulos, Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. Litter dynamics of Olea europaea subsp. Europaea residues related to soil properties and microbial N-biomass in a Mediterranean agroecosystem. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2018; 84 ():11-18.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTheodora Malamidou; Anna E. Nikolaidou; Andreas P. Mamolos; Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve; Sofia Kostopoulou; Georgios C. Menexes; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. 2018. "Litter dynamics of Olea europaea subsp. Europaea residues related to soil properties and microbial N-biomass in a Mediterranean agroecosystem." European Journal of Soil Biology 84, no. : 11-18.
Marios C. Michos; George C. Menexes; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Andreas P. Mamolos. Could energy flow in agro-ecosystems be used as a “tool” for crop and farming system replacement? Ecological Indicators 2017, 73, 247 -253.
AMA StyleMarios C. Michos, George C. Menexes, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Christos Anagnostopoulos, Andreas P. Mamolos. Could energy flow in agro-ecosystems be used as a “tool” for crop and farming system replacement? Ecological Indicators. 2017; 73 ():247-253.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarios C. Michos; George C. Menexes; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Andreas P. Mamolos. 2017. "Could energy flow in agro-ecosystems be used as a “tool” for crop and farming system replacement?" Ecological Indicators 73, no. : 247-253.
Aims Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) constitute essential elements for plant growth and their availability influence species diversity in herbaceous plant communities. Legumes exhibit relatively high abundance in N-limited soils. Moreover, the legumes’ N:P ratios are much higher than those of the other plant species grown in the same site, probably because they are able to fix atmospheric N2. The objective of this study was to determine how the relative proportion in N and P availability and the restriction of legumes to fix atmospheric N2 affect: (i) the primary productivity of plant species, (ii) species composition and (iii) N and P concentrations of species. Methods In an outdoor experiment, mixtures containing grasses, legumes and non-legume forbs were established in 32 containers under four soil treatments (control, N addition, P addition and disinfected soil), in a completely randomized design with eight replicates. Plant growth was examined when N and P were limited in the control soil:sand mixture, in a pot experiment sown with Plantago lanceolata. Important Findings The pot experiment indicated that both N and P were limiting for the growth of P. lanceolata. Soil treatments affected primary productivity and species composition. Legumes had a relatively high abundance in the control and their growth was favoured, especially that of Medicago sativa, by P addition. Grasses’ growth was increased by the addition of N. Inhibition of rhizobia resulted in poor growth of legumes and concomitant higher growth of grasses, in comparison to the control. The N:P ratios of non-legume species differed between treatments and were always higher in the legume species, even in the disinfected soil. The latter provides evidence that the high N concentrations found in legumes are a physiological characteristic of this specific group of plants.
Eleni Koufali; Olga K. Voulgari; Effrosyni D. Karanika; Andreas P. Mamolos; Demetrios S. Veresoglou. Functional groups’ performances as influenced by nitrogen, phosphorus and nodule inhibition of legumes. Journal of Plant Ecology 2016, 9, 784 -791.
AMA StyleEleni Koufali, Olga K. Voulgari, Effrosyni D. Karanika, Andreas P. Mamolos, Demetrios S. Veresoglou. Functional groups’ performances as influenced by nitrogen, phosphorus and nodule inhibition of legumes. Journal of Plant Ecology. 2016; 9 (6):784-791.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEleni Koufali; Olga K. Voulgari; Effrosyni D. Karanika; Andreas P. Mamolos; Demetrios S. Veresoglou. 2016. "Functional groups’ performances as influenced by nitrogen, phosphorus and nodule inhibition of legumes." Journal of Plant Ecology 9, no. 6: 784-791.
A novel approach to assess and evaluate environmental impacts associated with a technical construction project is presented using the case study of a dam construction. The proposed methodology consists of a stepwise procedure that includes impact assessment, impact ranking, impact analysis, and mapping the final impact score using GIS as the decision-making support system. This approach could be very beneficial, especially when collection of in situ data may be time consuming or difficult to obtain. Our quick, low-cost, assessment of expected impacts could help managers obtain a preliminary visual image of the forthcoming impacts before a project’s construction.
Thomas Koutsos; Georgios C. Dimopoulos; Andreas P. Mamolos. A novel method for assessing and mapping multiple impacts due to a technical construction project. Landscape and Ecological Engineering 2015, 12, 25 -40.
AMA StyleThomas Koutsos, Georgios C. Dimopoulos, Andreas P. Mamolos. A novel method for assessing and mapping multiple impacts due to a technical construction project. Landscape and Ecological Engineering. 2015; 12 (1):25-40.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas Koutsos; Georgios C. Dimopoulos; Andreas P. Mamolos. 2015. "A novel method for assessing and mapping multiple impacts due to a technical construction project." Landscape and Ecological Engineering 12, no. 1: 25-40.
Efstratios T. Taxidis; George Menexes; Andreas Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. Comparing organic and conventional olive groves relative to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the cultivation of two varieties. Applied Energy 2015, 149, 117 -124.
AMA StyleEfstratios T. Taxidis, George Menexes, Andreas Mamolos, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Christos Anagnostopoulos, Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. Comparing organic and conventional olive groves relative to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the cultivation of two varieties. Applied Energy. 2015; 149 ():117-124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEfstratios T. Taxidis; George Menexes; Andreas Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos Anagnostopoulos; Kyriaki L. Kalburtji. 2015. "Comparing organic and conventional olive groves relative to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the cultivation of two varieties." Applied Energy 149, no. : 117-124.
Margaritis C. Kehagias; Marios C. Michos; George C. Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy equilibrium and Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous oxide-emissions in organic, integrated and conventional apple orchards related to Natura 2000 site. Journal of Cleaner Production 2015, 91, 89 -95.
AMA StyleMargaritis C. Kehagias, Marios C. Michos, George C. Menexes, Andreas P. Mamolos, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Christos D. Anagnostopoulos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy equilibrium and Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous oxide-emissions in organic, integrated and conventional apple orchards related to Natura 2000 site. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2015; 91 ():89-95.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMargaritis C. Kehagias; Marios C. Michos; George C. Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Christos D. Anagnostopoulos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2015. "Energy equilibrium and Carbon dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous oxide-emissions in organic, integrated and conventional apple orchards related to Natura 2000 site." Journal of Cleaner Production 91, no. : 89-95.
Composting organic residues is a friendly to the environment alternative to producing fertilizer. This research was carried out to study the process of composting Phragmites australis Cav. plant material alone or with animal manure on a pilot-scale, to evaluate firstly the quality of the composts produced and secondly, using a pot experiment, the effects of their application on soil physicochemical characteristics and tomato plants development. For the compost production a randomized complete block design was used with five treatments (five compost types) and four replications. For the pot experiment, a completely randomized design was used with 17 treatments (plain soil, soil with synthetic fertilizer and the application of five compost types, at three rates each) and five replications. Compost N increased with composting time, while C/N ratio decreased significantly and by the end it ranged from 43.3 for CM to 22.6 for CY. Compost pH became almost neutral, ranging from 6.73 for CY to 7.21 for CM3Y3AM4 by the end. Compost combinations CY7AM3 and CM7AM3 had a more positive influence on the soil physicochemical characteristics than the others. Soil N, P, Ca and Mg concentrations and the reduction of clay dispersion were the highest when CM7AM3 compost was added. The macro-aggregate stability was the highest for CY7AM3, which also sustained plant growth. The latter compost combination improved most of the soil physicochemical characteristics and plant growth especially, when the application rate was 4% (w/w), which equals to 156 Mg ha(-1).
Anna Toumpeli; Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve; Sofia Kostopoulou; Andreas P. Mamolos; Anastasios Siomos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Composting Phragmites australis Cav. plant material and compost effects on soil and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth. Journal of Environmental Management 2013, 128, 243 -251.
AMA StyleAnna Toumpeli, Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve, Sofia Kostopoulou, Andreas P. Mamolos, Anastasios Siomos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Composting Phragmites australis Cav. plant material and compost effects on soil and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth. Journal of Environmental Management. 2013; 128 ():243-251.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnna Toumpeli; Athina K. Pavlatou-Ve; Sofia Kostopoulou; Andreas P. Mamolos; Anastasios Siomos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2013. "Composting Phragmites australis Cav. plant material and compost effects on soil and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) growth." Journal of Environmental Management 128, no. : 243-251.
Christos K. Sokos; Andreas Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Periklis K. Birtsas. Farming and wildlife in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Journal for Nature Conservation 2013, 21, 81 -92.
AMA StyleChristos K. Sokos, Andreas Mamolos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji, Periklis K. Birtsas. Farming and wildlife in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Journal for Nature Conservation. 2013; 21 (2):81-92.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristos K. Sokos; Andreas Mamolos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji; Periklis K. Birtsas. 2013. "Farming and wildlife in Mediterranean agroecosystems." Journal for Nature Conservation 21, no. 2: 81-92.
A combination of agro-environmental indicators and energy analysis of a production system, such as vineyards located in Natura 2000 sites, for which little is known, may be a useful tool to decide best farm management practices with low greenhouse gas emissions. In randomly selected vineyards at six sites of Natura 2000 network in Cyprus, we evaluated the energy flow and the greenhouse gas emissions. Hierarchical cluster analysis using production coefficients and a topographic variable (altitude) was used to detect clusters of the studied vineyards. Three groups were revealed. Group 1 (eight vineyards) with the lowest energy inputs, followed by Group 2 (three vineyards) with intermediate inputs and Group 3 (three vineyards) with the highest energy inputs. Altitude, fertilizers, labour, fuel and transportation had the greatest contribution on cluster formation. Non-parametric comparisons concerning 28 indicators showed that ten indicators (total energy inputs, renewable and non-renewable energy inputs, fruit energy outputs, shoot energy outputs, total energy outputs, fruit production, CO2, CH4, and N2O) were significantly higher in high energy input vineyards (Group 3) and three (energy use for renewable inputs, energy productivity and energy fruit efficiency) in low energy input vineyards (Group 1). Five indicators (energy use for fuel, transportation and non-renewable inputs, and energy efficiency for (shoot + fruit) outputs and renewable energy inputs) were significantly lower in Group 3 and two (intensity and non-renewable energy consumption) in Group 1. Similarities and/or dissimilarities among vineyards in Natura 2000 sites were related to altitude, production coefficients and local farming practices. These mixed results stress the importance of taking both local management indicators and vineyard topography into consideration when developing future agri-environment schemes, and suggest that local–regional interactions may affect Natura 2000 sites services and functions. It is important that EU agricultural policies are complemented by national–regional interventions in order to regulate the fragile balance between Natura 2000 sites and agriculture, reducing non-renewable energy inputs as percent of total energy inputs.
Vassilios D. Litskas; Christodoulos S. Karaolis; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Thomas Koutsos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Variation of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in vineyards located in Natura 2000 sites. Ecological Indicators 2012, 27, 1 -7.
AMA StyleVassilios D. Litskas, Christodoulos S. Karaolis, George Menexes, Andreas P. Mamolos, Thomas Koutsos, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Variation of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in vineyards located in Natura 2000 sites. Ecological Indicators. 2012; 27 ():1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVassilios D. Litskas; Christodoulos S. Karaolis; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Thomas Koutsos; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2012. "Variation of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in vineyards located in Natura 2000 sites." Ecological Indicators 27, no. : 1-7.
Gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) was used to measure the 13C/12C ratios of PLFAs at natural abundance levels from a temperate grassland nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) factorial fertilization experiment in northern Greece. In each plot two rhizosphere samples were derived centred around individual Agrostis capillaris and Prunella vulgaris plants. It was hypothesized that the isotopic signal of microbes that preferentially feed on recalcitrant litter such as fungi would be modified by fertilization more strongly than that of opportunistic microbes using labile C. Microbial community δ13C was affected by both P and N fertilization regime and plant species identity. However, we have been unable to detect significant nutrient effects on individual groups of microbes when analyzed separately in contrast to our original hypothesis. Intra-treatment variability, as evaluated from Hartley’s Fmax tests in the five first PCA components axes as well as the size of the convex hulls in PCA scoreplots and Mahalanobis distances, was considerably higher in the non-fertilized controls. Moreover, a significant relationship was established between the change in PLFA abundances and their respective changes in δ13C for the aggregate of samples and those simultaneously fertilized with N and P. We conclude that use of compound specific isotope analysis in the absence of labelling represents a valuable and overlooked tool in obtaining an insight of microbial community functioning.
Stavros D. Veresoglou; Barry Thornton; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Demetrios S. Veresoglou. Soil Fertilization Leads to a Decline in Between-Samples Variability of Microbial Community δ13C Profiles in a Grassland Fertilization Experiment. PLOS ONE 2012, 7, e44203 .
AMA StyleStavros D. Veresoglou, Barry Thornton, George Menexes, Andreas P. Mamolos, Demetrios S. Veresoglou. Soil Fertilization Leads to a Decline in Between-Samples Variability of Microbial Community δ13C Profiles in a Grassland Fertilization Experiment. PLOS ONE. 2012; 7 (9):e44203.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStavros D. Veresoglou; Barry Thornton; George Menexes; Andreas P. Mamolos; Demetrios S. Veresoglou. 2012. "Soil Fertilization Leads to a Decline in Between-Samples Variability of Microbial Community δ13C Profiles in a Grassland Fertilization Experiment." PLOS ONE 7, no. 9: e44203.
Recently, the increased cost of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions has attracted the interest of many scientists to study the energy use in agricultural systems. Energy analysis in white asparagus farms is useful to decide best management strategies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a) the energy flow among conventional, integrated and organic farming systems and b) the effect of farming system to greenhouse gas emissions. Eleven farms (three conventional, five integrated, three organic) at nine locations in Greece were selected during 2007–2008. Multidimensional data analyses were used to detect a) clusters of farming systems and b) associations between field operations and production coefficients variables. Three clusters of farming systems and four groups of variables were revealed. Non-parametric tests concerning external variables (outputs, energy efficiency, spear production, CO2, CH4, and N2O) showed that the three clusters of farming systems were not statistically different relative to output and energy efficiency variables but spear productions and gas emissions were lower for the organic farming cluster. The results showed that organic farming could reduce inputs and gas emissions.
Panagiota Zafiriou; Andreas P. Mamolos; George Menexes; Anastasios Siomos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Analysis of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional cultivation of white asparagus by PCA and HCA: cases in Greece. Journal of Cleaner Production 2012, 29-30, 20 -27.
AMA StylePanagiota Zafiriou, Andreas P. Mamolos, George Menexes, Anastasios Siomos, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Analysis of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional cultivation of white asparagus by PCA and HCA: cases in Greece. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2012; 29-30 ():20-27.
Chicago/Turabian StylePanagiota Zafiriou; Andreas P. Mamolos; George Menexes; Anastasios Siomos; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2012. "Analysis of energy flow and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional cultivation of white asparagus by PCA and HCA: cases in Greece." Journal of Cleaner Production 29-30, no. : 20-27.
Marios C. Michos; Andreas Mamolos; George Menexes; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Vasilios M. Tsirakoglou; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy inputs, outputs and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional peach orchards. Ecological Indicators 2012, 13, 22 -28.
AMA StyleMarios C. Michos, Andreas Mamolos, George Menexes, Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis, Vasilios M. Tsirakoglou, Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. Energy inputs, outputs and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional peach orchards. Ecological Indicators. 2012; 13 (1):22-28.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarios C. Michos; Andreas Mamolos; George Menexes; Constantinos A. Tsatsarelis; Vasilios M. Tsirakoglou; Kiriaki L. Kalburtji. 2012. "Energy inputs, outputs and greenhouse gas emissions in organic, integrated and conventional peach orchards." Ecological Indicators 13, no. 1: 22-28.
The potential role of soil pH in modulating plant productivity was assessed on the basis of dry mass, harvested in the form of 0.25 m2 quadrats, in two low-productivity upland grasslands of northern Greece subjected to annual factorial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization (15 g N m−2 year−1 and 10 g P m−2 year−1) over a minimum period of 3 years. It was hypothesized that under these particular conditions, a positive relationship would exist between soil pH and plant productivity and, further, that N or P fertilizer application of a nutrient limited system, would result in a weakening of this positive relationship. A significant positive relationship was confirmed between soil pH and plant productivity in one of the two study areas and a positive trend in the other. Moreover, plant productivity increase, following fertilization, appeared to have a detrimental effect on the soil pH-plant productivity relationship. Findings support the original hypotheses and strengthen the idea that plant diversity-mediated soil pH-plant productivity relationships are a result of the more intense plant speciation that occurred under the more “typical” soil conditions of higher pH in temperate as opposed to tropical regions.
S.D. Veresoglou; O.K. Voulgari; R. Sen; A.P. Mamolos; D.S. Veresoglou. Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Soil pH-Plant Productivity Relationships in Upland Grasslands of Northern Greece. Pedosphere 2011, 21, 750 -752.
AMA StyleS.D. Veresoglou, O.K. Voulgari, R. Sen, A.P. Mamolos, D.S. Veresoglou. Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Soil pH-Plant Productivity Relationships in Upland Grasslands of Northern Greece. Pedosphere. 2011; 21 (6):750-752.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS.D. Veresoglou; O.K. Voulgari; R. Sen; A.P. Mamolos; D.S. Veresoglou. 2011. "Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on Soil pH-Plant Productivity Relationships in Upland Grasslands of Northern Greece." Pedosphere 21, no. 6: 750-752.