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Dr. Eduardo Aguilera
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

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0 Carbon Sequestration
0 Climate Change
0 Energy
0 Sustainability
0 Nutrient cycles

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Letter
Published: 01 August 2021 in Environmental Research Letters
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Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilization has helped boost agricultural yields, but it is also responsible for direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fertilizer-related emissions are also promoted by irrigation and manure application, which has increased with livestock industrialization. Spanish agriculture provides a paradigmatic example of high industrialization under two different climates (temperate and Mediterranean) and two contrasting water management regimes (rainfed and irrigated). In this study, we estimated the historical evolution of the C footprint of N fertilization (including all the life cycle GHG emissions related to N fertilization) in Spanish agriculture from 1860 to 2018 at the province level (50 provinces) for 122 crops, using climate-specific N2O emission factors (EFs) adjusted to the type of water management and the N source (synthetic fertilizer, animal manure, crop residues and soil N mineralization) and considering changes in the industrial efficiency of N fertilizer production. Overall, N-related GHG emissions increased ~12-fold, up to 10–14 Tg CO2e yr−1 in the 2010s, with much higher growth in Mediterranean than in temperate areas. Direct N2O EFs of N fertilizers doubled due to the expansion of irrigation, synthetic fertilizers and liquid manure, associated with livestock industrialization. Synthetic N production dominated the emissions balance (55%–60% of GHGe in the 21st century). Large energy efficiency gains of industrial fertilizer production were largely offset by the changes in the fertilizer mix. Downstream N2O emissions associated with NH3 volatilization and NO3− leaching increased tenfold. The yield-scaled carbon footprint of N use in Spanish agriculture increased fourfold, from 4 and 5 Mg CO2e Mg N−1 to 16–18 Mg CO2e Mg N−1. Therefore, the results reported herein indicate that increased productivity could not offset the growth in manufacture and soil emissions related to N use, suggesting that mitigation efforts should not only aim to increase N use efficiency but also consider water management, fertilizer type and fertilizer manufacture as key drivers of emissions.

ACS Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Juan Infante-Amate; Roberto García-Ruiz; Jaime Vila-Traver; Gloria I Guzmán; Manuel González de Molina; Alfredo Rodríguez; Pablo Piñero; Luis Lassaletta. Long-term trajectories of the C footprint of N fertilization in Mediterranean agriculture (Spain, 1860–2018). Environmental Research Letters 2021, 16, 085010 .

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Juan Infante-Amate, Roberto García-Ruiz, Jaime Vila-Traver, Gloria I Guzmán, Manuel González de Molina, Alfredo Rodríguez, Pablo Piñero, Luis Lassaletta. Long-term trajectories of the C footprint of N fertilization in Mediterranean agriculture (Spain, 1860–2018). Environmental Research Letters. 2021; 16 (8):085010.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Juan Infante-Amate; Roberto García-Ruiz; Jaime Vila-Traver; Gloria I Guzmán; Manuel González de Molina; Alfredo Rodríguez; Pablo Piñero; Luis Lassaletta. 2021. "Long-term trajectories of the C footprint of N fertilization in Mediterranean agriculture (Spain, 1860–2018)." Environmental Research Letters 16, no. 8: 085010.

Journal article
Published: 15 July 2021 in Global Environmental Change
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Designing effective mitigation policies for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture requires understanding the mechanisms by which management practices affect emissions in different agroclimatic conditions. Agricultural GHG emissions and carbon sequestration potentials have been extensively studied in the Mediterranean biome, which is a biodiversity hot spot that is highly vulnerable to environmental changes. However, the absolute magnitude of GHG emissions and the extent to which research efforts match these emissions in each production system, are unknown. Here, we estimated GHG emissions and potential carbon sinks associated with crop and livestock production systems in the Mediterranean biome, covering 31 countries and assessing approximately 10,000 emission items. The results were then combined with a bibliometric assessment of 797 research publications to compare emissions estimates obtained with research efforts for each of the studied items. Although the magnitude of GHG emissions from crop production and the associated carbon sequestration potential (261 Tg CO2eq yr−1) were nearly half of those from livestock production (367 Tg CO2eq yr−1), mitigation research efforts were largely focused on the former. As a result, the relative research intensity, which relates the number of publications to the magnitude of emissions, is nearly one order of magnitude higher for crop production than for livestock production (2.6 and 0.4 papers Tg CO2eq−1, respectively). Moreover, this mismatch is even higher when crop and livestock types are studied separately, which indicates major research gaps associated with grassland and many strategic crop types, such as fruit tree orchards, fiber crops, roots and tubers. Most life cycle assessment studies do not consider carbon sequestration, although this single process has the highest magnitude in terms of annual CO2eq. In addition, these studies employ Tier 1 IPCC factors, which are not suited for use in Mediterranean environments. Our analytical results show that a strategic plan is required to extend on-site field GHG measurements to the Mediterranean biome. Such a plan needs to be cocreated among stakeholders and should be based on refocusing research efforts to GHG balance components that have been afforded less attention. In addition, the outcomes of Mediterranean field studies should be integrated into life cycle assessment-based carbon footprint analyses in order to avoid misleading conclusions.

ACS Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Carolina Reyes-Palomo; Cipriano Díaz-Gaona; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Pete Smith; Raquel García-Laureano; Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. Greenhouse gas emissions from Mediterranean agriculture: Evidence of unbalanced research efforts and knowledge gaps. Global Environmental Change 2021, 69, 102319 .

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Carolina Reyes-Palomo, Cipriano Díaz-Gaona, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Pete Smith, Raquel García-Laureano, Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. Greenhouse gas emissions from Mediterranean agriculture: Evidence of unbalanced research efforts and knowledge gaps. Global Environmental Change. 2021; 69 ():102319.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Carolina Reyes-Palomo; Cipriano Díaz-Gaona; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Pete Smith; Raquel García-Laureano; Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. 2021. "Greenhouse gas emissions from Mediterranean agriculture: Evidence of unbalanced research efforts and knowledge gaps." Global Environmental Change 69, no. : 102319.

Perspective
Published: 01 June 2021 in One Earth
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Summary After World War II, the evolution of Europe's agro-food system has been marked by intensified use of synthetic fertilizers, territorial specialization, and integration in global food and feed markets. This evolution led to increased nitrogen (N) losses to aquatic environments and the atmosphere, which, despite increasing environmental regulations, continues to harm ecosystems and human well-being. Here, we explore how these N losses can be drastically reduced in a scenario synergistically operating three levers: (1) a dietary change toward less animal products and an efficient recycling of human excreta; (2) the generalization of region-specific organic crop rotation systems involving N2-fixing legumes, making it possible to do without synthetic N fertilizers; and (3) the reconnection of livestock with cropping systems allowing optimal use of manure. This scenario demonstrates the possibility to feed the projected European population in 2050 without imports of feed and with half the current level of environmental N losses.

ACS Style

Gilles Billen; Eduardo Aguilera; Rasmus Einarsson; Josette Garnier; Simone Gingrich; Bruna Grizzetti; Luis Lassaletta; Julia Le Noë; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Reshaping the European agro-food system and closing its nitrogen cycle: The potential of combining dietary change, agroecology, and circularity. One Earth 2021, 4, 839 -850.

AMA Style

Gilles Billen, Eduardo Aguilera, Rasmus Einarsson, Josette Garnier, Simone Gingrich, Bruna Grizzetti, Luis Lassaletta, Julia Le Noë, Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Reshaping the European agro-food system and closing its nitrogen cycle: The potential of combining dietary change, agroecology, and circularity. One Earth. 2021; 4 (6):839-850.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gilles Billen; Eduardo Aguilera; Rasmus Einarsson; Josette Garnier; Simone Gingrich; Bruna Grizzetti; Luis Lassaletta; Julia Le Noë; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. 2021. "Reshaping the European agro-food system and closing its nitrogen cycle: The potential of combining dietary change, agroecology, and circularity." One Earth 4, no. 6: 839-850.

Accepted manuscript
Published: 11 May 2021 in Environmental Research Letters
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Worldwide, Mediterranean cropping systems face the complex challenge of producing enough high-quality food while preserving the quantity and quality of scarce water for people and agriculture in the context of climate change. While good management of nitrogen (N) is paramount to achieving this objective, the efficient strategies developed for temperate systems are often not adapted to the specificities of Mediterranean systems. In this work we combined original data with a thorough literature review to highlight the most relevant drivers of N dynamics in these semiarid systems. To do so, we provide an analysis at nested scales combining a bottom–up approach from the field scale with a top–down approach considering the agro-food system where cropping systems are inserted. We analyze the structural changes in the agro-food systems affecting total N entering the territory; the contrasting response of yields to N availability under rainfed and irrigated conditions in a precipitation gradient; the interaction between N management and climate change adaptation; the main drivers affecting the release of Nr compounds (NO3-, NH3, NO, N2O) as compared with temperate systems; and finally, the behavior of N once exported to highly regulated river networks. We conclude that a sustainable N management in Mediterranean cropping systems requires the specific adaptation of practices to the particular local agroenvironmental characteristics with special emphasis on water availability for rainfed and irrigated systems. This approach should also include a systemic analysis of N inputs into the territory that are driven by the configuration of the agro-food system.

ACS Style

Luis Lassaletta; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Eduardo Aguilera; Miguel Quemada; Gilles F Billen; AlbertE Bondeau; Maria Luz Cayuela; Wolfgang Cramer; Joris P C Eekhout; Josette Garnier; Bruna Grizzetti; Diego S Intrigliolo; Margarita Ruiz Ramos; Estela Romero; Antonio Vallejo; Benjamin S. Gimeno. Nitrogen dynamics in cropping systems under Mediterranean climate: a systemic analysis. Environmental Research Letters 2021, 16, 073002 .

AMA Style

Luis Lassaletta, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Eduardo Aguilera, Miguel Quemada, Gilles F Billen, AlbertE Bondeau, Maria Luz Cayuela, Wolfgang Cramer, Joris P C Eekhout, Josette Garnier, Bruna Grizzetti, Diego S Intrigliolo, Margarita Ruiz Ramos, Estela Romero, Antonio Vallejo, Benjamin S. Gimeno. Nitrogen dynamics in cropping systems under Mediterranean climate: a systemic analysis. Environmental Research Letters. 2021; 16 (7):073002.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luis Lassaletta; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Eduardo Aguilera; Miguel Quemada; Gilles F Billen; AlbertE Bondeau; Maria Luz Cayuela; Wolfgang Cramer; Joris P C Eekhout; Josette Garnier; Bruna Grizzetti; Diego S Intrigliolo; Margarita Ruiz Ramos; Estela Romero; Antonio Vallejo; Benjamin S. Gimeno. 2021. "Nitrogen dynamics in cropping systems under Mediterranean climate: a systemic analysis." Environmental Research Letters 16, no. 7: 073002.

Journal article
Published: 24 March 2021 in Journal of Environmental Management
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Enhanced-efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers, such as those containing nitrification or urease inhibitors, can mitigate the carbon (C) footprint linked to the production of bioenergy crops through a reduction in direct nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and indirect N2O losses. These indirect emissions are derived from ammonia (NH3) volatilization, which also have important environmental and health implications. The evaluation of the global warming potential (GWP) of different N sources using site-specific data of yield and direct and indirect emissions is needed for oilseed rape under rainfed semi-arid conditions, especially when meteorological variability is taken into account. Using urea as a N source, the N2O mitigation efficacy of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) alone or combined with the nitrification inhibitor 2-(3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) succinic acid isomeric mixture (DMPSA) was evaluated under field conditions in a rainfed oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) crop. Two additional N sources from calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), with and without DMPSA, were included. The GWP of the treatments was estimated considering the emissions from inputs, operations and other direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as methane (CH4) and the volatilization of NH3. We also measured the abundance of key genes involved in nitrification and denitrification to improve the understanding of N2O emissions on a biochemical basis under the conditions of our study. The results show that due to the intense rainfall after fertilization and a rewetting event, N2O losses from fertilizers without inhibitors were greater than those previously reported under Mediterranean conditions, while NH3 losses were low and not affected by the urease inhibitor. The cumulative N2O emissions (which were greatly influenced by a rewetting peak three months after fertilization) from the urea fertilization were significantly higher than those from CAN. The presence of NBPT significantly reduced N2O losses by an average of 71%, with respect to urea. The use of DMPSA with CAN resulted in an abatement of N2O emissions (by 57%) and a significant increase in oil yield in comparison with CAN alone. All inhibitor-based treatments were effective in abating N2O emissions during the rewetting peak. The abundances of the nitrifier and denitrifier communities, especially ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), significantly decreased relative to the urea or CAN treatments as inhibitors were applied. Under the conditions of our study, the sustainability of a bioenergy crop such as oilseed rape can be improved by using inhibitors because they mitigated N2O emissions and/or enhanced the oil yield.

ACS Style

Mónica Montoya; Antonio Vallejo; Mario Corrochano-Monsalve; Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Celia Ginés; Carmen González-Murua; José Manuel Álvarez; Guillermo Guardia. Mitigation of yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions and global warming potential in an oilseed rape crop through N source management. Journal of Environmental Management 2021, 288, 112304 .

AMA Style

Mónica Montoya, Antonio Vallejo, Mario Corrochano-Monsalve, Eduardo Aguilera, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Celia Ginés, Carmen González-Murua, José Manuel Álvarez, Guillermo Guardia. Mitigation of yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions and global warming potential in an oilseed rape crop through N source management. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021; 288 ():112304.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mónica Montoya; Antonio Vallejo; Mario Corrochano-Monsalve; Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Celia Ginés; Carmen González-Murua; José Manuel Álvarez; Guillermo Guardia. 2021. "Mitigation of yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions and global warming potential in an oilseed rape crop through N source management." Journal of Environmental Management 288, no. : 112304.

Journal article
Published: 22 February 2021 in Global Food Security
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The mitigation of greenhouse gases in the agri-food sector depends on production and consumption patterns. This study focuses on the impact of urban gardening activities on food consumption and the carbon footprint. Changes in the food habits of citizens involved in urban agriculture activities in the city of Madrid were assessed over a five-year period using an online survey. The impact of habit change on the average carbon footprint from food consumption was assessed using a life-cycle approach. The results display a potential reduction of up to 205.1 kg CO2e/year per person (12.1%), which can mainly be achieved with a reduction in animal source foods. The results suggest that urban gardens could be used as social catalysts for pro-environmental behavior and greenhouse gas mitigation in urban areas.

ACS Style

Ivanka Puigdueta; Eduardo Aguilera; José Luis Cruz; Ana Iglesias; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Urban agriculture may change food consumption towards low carbon diets. Global Food Security 2021, 28, 100507 .

AMA Style

Ivanka Puigdueta, Eduardo Aguilera, José Luis Cruz, Ana Iglesias, Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Urban agriculture may change food consumption towards low carbon diets. Global Food Security. 2021; 28 ():100507.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ivanka Puigdueta; Eduardo Aguilera; José Luis Cruz; Ana Iglesias; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. 2021. "Urban agriculture may change food consumption towards low carbon diets." Global Food Security 28, no. : 100507.

Primary research article
Published: 15 May 2020 in Global Change Biology
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This study evaluates the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) under perennial crops across the globe. It quantifies the effect of change from annual to perennial crops and the subsequent temporal changes in SOC stocks during the perennial crop cycle. It also presents an empirical model to estimate changes in the SOC content under crops as a function of time, land use, and site characteristics. We used a harmonized global dataset containing paired‐comparison empirical values of SOC and different types of perennial crops (perennial grasses, palms, and woody plants) with different end uses: bioenergy, food, other bio‐products, and short rotation coppice. Salient outcomes include: a 20‐year period encompassing a change from annual to perennial crops led to an average 20% increase in SOC at 0–30 cm (6.0 ± 4.6 Mg/ha gain) and a total 10% increase over the 0–100 cm soil profile (5.7 ± 10.9 Mg/ha). A change from natural pasture to perennial crop decreased SOC stocks by 1% over 0–30 cm (−2.5 ± 4.2 Mg/ha) and 10% over 0–100 cm (−13.6 ± 8.9 Mg/ha). The effect of a land use change from forest to perennial crops did not show significant impacts, probably due to the limited number of plots; but the data indicated that while a 2% increase in SOC was observed at 0–30 cm (16.81 ± 55.1 Mg/ha), a decrease in 24% was observed at 30–100 cm (−40.1 ± 16.8 Mg/ha). Perennial crops generally accumulate SOC through time, especially woody crops; and temperature was the main driver explaining differences in SOC dynamics, followed by crop age, soil bulk density, clay content, and depth. We present empirical evidence showing that the FAO perennialization strategy is reasonable, underscoring the role of perennial crops as a useful component of climate change mitigation strategies.

ACS Style

Alicia Ledo; Pete Smith; Ayalsew Zerihun; Jeanette Whitaker; José Luis Vicente‐Vicente; Zhangcai Qin; Niall P. McNamara; Yuri L. Zinn; Mireia Llorente; Mark Liebig; Matthias Kuhnert; Marta Dondini; Axel Don; Eugenio Diaz‐Pines; Ashim Datta; Haakon Bakka; Eduardo Aguilera; Jon Hillier. Changes in soil organic carbon under perennial crops. Global Change Biology 2020, 26, 4158 -4168.

AMA Style

Alicia Ledo, Pete Smith, Ayalsew Zerihun, Jeanette Whitaker, José Luis Vicente‐Vicente, Zhangcai Qin, Niall P. McNamara, Yuri L. Zinn, Mireia Llorente, Mark Liebig, Matthias Kuhnert, Marta Dondini, Axel Don, Eugenio Diaz‐Pines, Ashim Datta, Haakon Bakka, Eduardo Aguilera, Jon Hillier. Changes in soil organic carbon under perennial crops. Global Change Biology. 2020; 26 (7):4158-4168.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alicia Ledo; Pete Smith; Ayalsew Zerihun; Jeanette Whitaker; José Luis Vicente‐Vicente; Zhangcai Qin; Niall P. McNamara; Yuri L. Zinn; Mireia Llorente; Mark Liebig; Matthias Kuhnert; Marta Dondini; Axel Don; Eugenio Diaz‐Pines; Ashim Datta; Haakon Bakka; Eduardo Aguilera; Jon Hillier. 2020. "Changes in soil organic carbon under perennial crops." Global Change Biology 26, no. 7: 4158-4168.

Comment
Published: 17 April 2020 in Nature Food
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Scientific meetings should be organized in the spirit of responsible consumption and production, including the prioritization of plant-based meals for reduced nitrogen loss. The Cercedilla Manifesto indicates how.

ACS Style

Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Roberta Alessandrini; Benjamin Leon Bodirsky; Marco Springmann; Eduardo Aguilera; Barbara Amon; Fabio Bartolini; Markus Geupel; Bruna Grizzetti; Susanna Kugelberg; Catharina Latka; Xia Liang; Anna Birgitte Milford; Patrick Musinguzi; Ee Ling Ng; Helen Suter; Adrian Leip. Research meetings must be more sustainable. Nature Food 2020, 1, 187 -189.

AMA Style

Alberto Sanz-Cobena, Roberta Alessandrini, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Marco Springmann, Eduardo Aguilera, Barbara Amon, Fabio Bartolini, Markus Geupel, Bruna Grizzetti, Susanna Kugelberg, Catharina Latka, Xia Liang, Anna Birgitte Milford, Patrick Musinguzi, Ee Ling Ng, Helen Suter, Adrian Leip. Research meetings must be more sustainable. Nature Food. 2020; 1 (4):187-189.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alberto Sanz-Cobena; Roberta Alessandrini; Benjamin Leon Bodirsky; Marco Springmann; Eduardo Aguilera; Barbara Amon; Fabio Bartolini; Markus Geupel; Bruna Grizzetti; Susanna Kugelberg; Catharina Latka; Xia Liang; Anna Birgitte Milford; Patrick Musinguzi; Ee Ling Ng; Helen Suter; Adrian Leip. 2020. "Research meetings must be more sustainable." Nature Food 1, no. 4: 187-189.

Review
Published: 13 March 2020 in Agricultural Systems
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Mediterranean agriculture has coevolved with harsh environments and changing climate conditions over millennia, generating an extremely rich heritage of traditional knowledge; however, it is particularly threatened by climate change, including a higher than average warming and more frequent extreme climate events. The vulnerability is enhanced by the other components of global change affecting the Mediterranean basin, including biodiversity loss, freshwater overuse, disrupted nutrient cycles, soil degradation and altered fire regimes, in a context of high population density, water scarcity, high dependence on biomass and energy imports, and the prevalence of highly specialized, low diversity agroecosystems. Due to the need to create resilience to these interconnected threats, systemic adaptation measures are urgently needed. This review shows that this systemic approach can be provided by agroecology, which offers a holistic framework enabling the recovery and assessment of traditional knowledge and the cocreation of new local knowledge for enhancing resilience. It also highlights the role of the reconnection of food production and consumption, associated with the recovery of the locally-adapted, largely plant-based Mediterranean diet. Three types of complementary adaptation strategies for crop production are identified: (i) Biodiversity management to spread out risks and reduce pest damage; (ii) Increasing soil organic matter, e.g. with cover crops or crop varieties with higher residue and root production; (iii) Reducing fossil fuel dependence by avoiding synthetic chemicals, increasing efficiency and using renewable energy. Livestock adaptation strategies identified include: (i) management of extensive herds, including practices such as transhumance; (ii) diversification, use of local breeds and change of species; (iii) pasture and forage management, focusing on adjusting stocking rates to prevent abandonment and intensification, agroforestry, and fire management through grazing. Public policies must be set to tailor these strategies to each specific local situation with the involvement of all stakeholders and to establish or reinforce networks allowing knowledge exchange.

ACS Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Cipriano Díaz-Gaona; Raquel García-Laureano; Carolina Reyes-Palomo; Gloria I. Guzmán; Livia Ortolani; Manuel Sánchez-Rodríguez; Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. Agroecology for adaptation to climate change and resource depletion in the Mediterranean region. A review. Agricultural Systems 2020, 181, 102809 .

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Cipriano Díaz-Gaona, Raquel García-Laureano, Carolina Reyes-Palomo, Gloria I. Guzmán, Livia Ortolani, Manuel Sánchez-Rodríguez, Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. Agroecology for adaptation to climate change and resource depletion in the Mediterranean region. A review. Agricultural Systems. 2020; 181 ():102809.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Cipriano Díaz-Gaona; Raquel García-Laureano; Carolina Reyes-Palomo; Gloria I. Guzmán; Livia Ortolani; Manuel Sánchez-Rodríguez; Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez. 2020. "Agroecology for adaptation to climate change and resource depletion in the Mediterranean region. A review." Agricultural Systems 181, no. : 102809.

Journal article
Published: 30 October 2019 in Sustainability
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Wheat yields are predicted to decrease over the next decades due to climate change (CC). Mediterranean regions are characterized by low soil fertility and stressful conditions that limit the effect of technological improvements on increasing yield gains, while worsening the negative CC impacts. Additionally, organic farming (OF) lacks specifically adapted genetic material. Accordingly, there is a need to search for varieties adapted to these conditions and whose cultivation may help semi-arid agroecosystems sustainability, focusing on specific agronomic and functional traits. To this purpose, wheat landraces and modern wheat varieties were evaluated under Mediterranean rainfed conditions during three growing seasons under contrasting situations: A conventional farm and an organic farm. Results regarding straw production, weed biomass and biodiversity, and grain N concentration suggest that the cultivation of landraces under Mediterranean rainfed conditions can enhance agroecosystem sustainability through positive effects on ecosystem services such as soil quality, functional biodiversity, or grain protein content, without significant reductions in grain yield. Results highlight the relevant role of wheat landraces as genetic resources for the development of cultivars adapted to Mediterranean agroecosystems conditions, especially for organic farming, but also for conventional agriculture.

ACS Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Gloria I. Guzmán; Roberto Garcia-Ruíz; Manuel González De Molina; Eduardo Aguilera. Addressing the Role of Landraces in the Sustainability of Mediterranean Agroecosystems. Sustainability 2019, 11, 6029 .

AMA Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego, Gloria I. Guzmán, Roberto Garcia-Ruíz, Manuel González De Molina, Eduardo Aguilera. Addressing the Role of Landraces in the Sustainability of Mediterranean Agroecosystems. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (21):6029.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Gloria I. Guzmán; Roberto Garcia-Ruíz; Manuel González De Molina; Eduardo Aguilera. 2019. "Addressing the Role of Landraces in the Sustainability of Mediterranean Agroecosystems." Sustainability 11, no. 21: 6029.

Journal article
Published: 06 September 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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In this study, field-specific data was collected from a 10-year experiment in central Spain in which vetch (Vicia sp. L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were established as cover crops and compared to the traditional fall-winter fallow between two irrigated cash crops, maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The global warming potential (GWP) balance included direct and indirect (nitrous oxide (N2O) resulting from the deposition of ammonia (NH3) or from leached nitrate (NO3−)) soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and albedo, and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions from inputs, irrigation and farm operations. Several scenarios involving i) changes in the termination method of the cover crops, ii) consideration of the application of a distinct nitrogen (N) source (urea, slurry or manure instead of ammonium nitrate) or nitrification inhibitors, iii) employing the same N rate for all treatments (i.e., conventional instead of integrated fertilization), iv) modelling SOC accumulation over a 100-year horizon, and v) using default emission factors, were also analysed. Under the conditions of our experiment, cover crops mitigated yield-scaled emissions by 77.4% (barley) and 91.9% (vetch). Synthetic N fertilization (particularly the industrial production of fertilizer) contributed 38% to the balance of the cover cropping treatments, followed by SOC (22.5%), irrigation (14.7%) and albedo (14.5%). All scenarios led to notable mitigation efficacies, ranging from 39% mitigation (in barley when considering default or non-specific emission factors) to a net CO2eq sink (i.e., >100% mitigation) in the scenario consisting of the replacement of ammonium nitrate by urea or organic fertilizers although with side effects on NH3 volatilization and/or yields. Based on these results, the combined use of cover cropping and integrated soil fertility management could lead to the design of C-neutral irrigated cropping systems in semi-arid regions.

ACS Style

Guillermo Guardia; Eduardo Aguilera; Antonio Vallejo; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; María Alonso-Ayuso; Miguel Quemada. Effective climate change mitigation through cover cropping and integrated fertilization: A global warming potential assessment from a 10-year field experiment. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 241, 118307 .

AMA Style

Guillermo Guardia, Eduardo Aguilera, Antonio Vallejo, Alberto Sanz-Cobena, María Alonso-Ayuso, Miguel Quemada. Effective climate change mitigation through cover cropping and integrated fertilization: A global warming potential assessment from a 10-year field experiment. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 241 ():118307.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guillermo Guardia; Eduardo Aguilera; Antonio Vallejo; Alberto Sanz-Cobena; María Alonso-Ayuso; Miguel Quemada. 2019. "Effective climate change mitigation through cover cropping and integrated fertilization: A global warming potential assessment from a 10-year field experiment." Journal of Cleaner Production 241, no. : 118307.

Data descriptor
Published: 13 May 2019 in Scientific Data
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A global, unified dataset on Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) changes under perennial crops has not existed till now. We present a global, harmonised database on SOC change resulting from perennial crop cultivation. It contains information about 1605 paired-comparison empirical values (some of which are aggregated data) from 180 different peer-reviewed studies, 709 sites, on 58 different perennial crop types, from 32 countries in temperate, tropical and boreal areas; including species used for food, bioenergy and bio-products. The database also contains information on climate, soil characteristics, management and topography. This is the first such global compilation and will act as a baseline for SOC changes in perennial crops. It will be key to supporting global modelling of land use and carbon cycle feedbacks, and supporting agricultural policy development.

ACS Style

Alicia Ledo; Jonathan Hillier; Pete Smith; Eduardo Aguilera; Sergey Blagodatskiy; Francis Q. Brearley; Ashim Datta; Eugenio Diaz-Pines; Axel Don; Marta Dondini; Jennifer Dunn; Diana Marisa Feliciano; Mark A. Liebig; Rong Lang; Mireia Llorente; Yuri Zinn; Niall McNamara; Stephen Ogle; Zhangcai Qin; Pere Rovira; Rebecca Rowe; José Luis Vicente Vicente; Jeanette Whitaker; Qian Yue; Ayalsew Zerihun. A global, empirical, harmonised dataset of soil organic carbon changes under perennial crops. Scientific Data 2019, 6, 57 .

AMA Style

Alicia Ledo, Jonathan Hillier, Pete Smith, Eduardo Aguilera, Sergey Blagodatskiy, Francis Q. Brearley, Ashim Datta, Eugenio Diaz-Pines, Axel Don, Marta Dondini, Jennifer Dunn, Diana Marisa Feliciano, Mark A. Liebig, Rong Lang, Mireia Llorente, Yuri Zinn, Niall McNamara, Stephen Ogle, Zhangcai Qin, Pere Rovira, Rebecca Rowe, José Luis Vicente Vicente, Jeanette Whitaker, Qian Yue, Ayalsew Zerihun. A global, empirical, harmonised dataset of soil organic carbon changes under perennial crops. Scientific Data. 2019; 6 (1):57.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alicia Ledo; Jonathan Hillier; Pete Smith; Eduardo Aguilera; Sergey Blagodatskiy; Francis Q. Brearley; Ashim Datta; Eugenio Diaz-Pines; Axel Don; Marta Dondini; Jennifer Dunn; Diana Marisa Feliciano; Mark A. Liebig; Rong Lang; Mireia Llorente; Yuri Zinn; Niall McNamara; Stephen Ogle; Zhangcai Qin; Pere Rovira; Rebecca Rowe; José Luis Vicente Vicente; Jeanette Whitaker; Qian Yue; Ayalsew Zerihun. 2019. "A global, empirical, harmonised dataset of soil organic carbon changes under perennial crops." Scientific Data 6, no. 1: 57.

Erratum
Published: 30 April 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Eduardo Aguilera; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González De Molina; David Soto; Juan Infante-Amate. Corrigendum to ‘From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014’ Journal of Cleaner Production 221 (2019) 295–305. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 226, 1151 .

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Gloria I. Guzmán, Manuel González De Molina, David Soto, Juan Infante-Amate. Corrigendum to ‘From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014’ Journal of Cleaner Production 221 (2019) 295–305. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 226 ():1151.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González De Molina; David Soto; Juan Infante-Amate. 2019. "Corrigendum to ‘From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014’ Journal of Cleaner Production 221 (2019) 295–305." Journal of Cleaner Production 226, no. : 1151.

Research article
Published: 02 April 2019 in Environmental Science & Technology
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Irrigation in the Mediterranean region has been used for millennia and has greatly expanded with industrialization. Irrigation is critical for climate change adaptation, but it is also an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. This study analyzes the carbon (C) footprint of irrigation in Spain, covering the complete historical process of mechanization. A 21-fold total, 6-fold area-based, and 4-fold product-based increase in the carbon footprint was observed during the 20th century, despite an increase in water use efficiency. CH4 emissions from waterbodies, which had not previously been considered in the C footprint of irrigation systems, dominated the emission budget during most of the analyzed period. Technologies to save water and tap new water resources greatly increased energy and infrastructure demand, while improvements in power generation efficiency had a limited influence on irrigation emissions. Electricity production from irrigation dams may contribute to climate change mitigation, but the amount produced in relation to that consumed in irrigation has greatly declined. High uncertainty in CH4 emission estimates from waterbodies stresses a need for more spatially resolved data and an improved empirical knowledge of the links between water quality, water level fluctuations, and emissions at the regional scale.

ACS Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Jaime Vila-Traver; Bridget R. Deemer; Juan Infante-Amate; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González De Molina. Methane Emissions from Artificial Waterbodies Dominate the Carbon Footprint of Irrigation: A Study of Transitions in the Food–Energy–Water–Climate Nexus (Spain, 1900–2014). Environmental Science & Technology 2019, 53, 5091 -5101.

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Jaime Vila-Traver, Bridget R. Deemer, Juan Infante-Amate, Gloria I. Guzmán, Manuel González De Molina. Methane Emissions from Artificial Waterbodies Dominate the Carbon Footprint of Irrigation: A Study of Transitions in the Food–Energy–Water–Climate Nexus (Spain, 1900–2014). Environmental Science & Technology. 2019; 53 (9):5091-5101.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Jaime Vila-Traver; Bridget R. Deemer; Juan Infante-Amate; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González De Molina. 2019. "Methane Emissions from Artificial Waterbodies Dominate the Carbon Footprint of Irrigation: A Study of Transitions in the Food–Energy–Water–Climate Nexus (Spain, 1900–2014)." Environmental Science & Technology 53, no. 9: 5091-5101.

Journal article
Published: 28 February 2019 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Mechanization of agriculture drastically increases labour productivity in crop production, playing a major role in industrialization by freeing up workforce for industry and services. These historical processes are well studied, but there is much less knowledge on their environmental implications, particularly the carbon footprint. In this work, we aimed to reconstruct the complete historical process of mechanization in Spanish agriculture at the national scale, estimating the carbon footprint of traction through a life cycle assessment approach. The assessment includes greenhouse gas emissions from working animals and feed production, and accounts for the historical changes in the energy efficiency of the industrial production of machinery and fuels. The results reveal an increase in the carbon footprint of traction from 3.1 Pg CO2e yr−1 in 1900 to 11–12 Pg CO2e yr−1 in the 1970s and 1980s, decreasing to 7–8 Pg CO2e yr−1 in 2010–2014. Area-based emissions ranged 185–242 kg CO2e ha−1 yr−1 in 1900–1933, when the practical totality of traction was animal, and 503–540 kg CO2e ha−1 yr−1 in the 21st century, when animal traction had almost completely disappeared. Product-based emissions were similar at the beginning and at the end of the study period, as the productivity growth offset the area-based emissions growth. The results show a large peak in emissions during the main decades of the mechanization process. Thus, the large savings observed in the last three decades start from a very high emission level. The carbon footprint of traction could be reduced by mimicking the logic of traditional organic systems but still benefiting from modern technological efficiency, through the self-production of the fuel. Our analysis, however, shows that a simple shift to biofuels may actually increase greenhouse gas emissions and consume a large share of the current agricultural output. Therefore, its combination with significant reductions in fuel and feed demand would be necessary to achieve its mitigation potential.

ACS Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González de Molina; David Soto; Juan Infante-Amate. From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 221, 295 -305.

AMA Style

Eduardo Aguilera, Gloria I. Guzmán, Manuel González de Molina, David Soto, Juan Infante-Amate. From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 221 ():295-305.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eduardo Aguilera; Gloria I. Guzmán; Manuel González de Molina; David Soto; Juan Infante-Amate. 2019. "From animals to machines. The impact of mechanization on the carbon footprint of traction in Spanish agriculture: 1900–2014." Journal of Cleaner Production 221, no. : 295-305.

Original article
Published: 16 January 2019 in Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
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Incorporation of crop residues can increase SOC stocks, but the extent of this depends on their C:N ratio and soil nutrient availability. Traditional wheat varieties (TWV) typically produce high straw biomass with high C:N ratio. We hypothesised that C:N ratio of straw of TWV are higher than those of modern (MWV) ones, resulting in lower carbon (C) mineralisation potential, especially in nutrient-poor (NP) soils. Furthermore, soil nitrogen (N) retention is expected to be higher during decomposition of straw of TWV with high C:N ratio. Straw productivity of six TWV and six MWV was measured during a 2-year field experiment, in nutrient-rich (NR) and NP soils. Cumulative CO2 emissions and soil N availability were also examined in these soils amended with straw residues with C:N ratios of 89.2, 148.6 and 202.7 during an 84-day lab experiment. Straw production of TWV was 1.31–1.74 times higher compared to MWV. Straw C:N ratio of TWV in NP soil averaged 152.1, greater than that of MWV (119.8). Straw-derived CO2 emissions in NR soils were 2.5–4.3 times higher than NP and were the lowest in straw C:N ratio of TWV. After the addition of straw, immobilised N was partially re-mineralised in the NR soil with lower values at higher straw C:N ratio. N immobilisation also occurred in straw amended NP soil independently of the straw residues C:N ratio. The higher straw productivity and higher C:N ratio of TWV can contribute to C accumulation and prevent N losses after its incorporation in soils.

ACS Style

Roberto García-Ruiz; Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Eduardo Aguilera; Manuel González De Molina; Gloria I. Guzmán. C and N mineralisation of straw of traditional and modern wheat varieties in soils of contrasting fertility. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 2019, 113, 167 -179.

AMA Style

Roberto García-Ruiz, Guiomar Carranza-Gallego, Eduardo Aguilera, Manuel González De Molina, Gloria I. Guzmán. C and N mineralisation of straw of traditional and modern wheat varieties in soils of contrasting fertility. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 2019; 113 (2):167-179.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberto García-Ruiz; Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Eduardo Aguilera; Manuel González De Molina; Gloria I. Guzmán. 2019. "C and N mineralisation of straw of traditional and modern wheat varieties in soils of contrasting fertility." Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 113, no. 2: 167-179.

Book chapter
Published: 26 October 2018 in Agroecosystem Diversity
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The Generalized Representation of Agro-Food Systems approach is a biogeochemical mass-balance model for quantitatively describing agro-food systems in terms of nutrient fluxes across cropland, grassland, livestock biomass, and local human populations. We used this approach to assess the environmental consequences of the recent trend toward crop-livestock disconnection, regional specialization of agricultural systems, and increased demand for animal products at the scale of France and Spain, as well as at the global scale. The resulting opening of the nitrogen cycle, with important consumption of new nitrogen resources as well as significant environmental losses, is highlighted. Alternative scenarios are established, aiming at reducing meat and milk consumption in developed countries, reconnecting crop and livestock farming, and reaching autonomy with respect to both fertilization for cropping systems and feed for livestock farming. These scenarios, although completely hypothetical and not prescriptive, show that food security of reconceived agro-food systems could be achieved at the different scales studied, with much less long-distance trade and a much lower environmental imprint.

ACS Style

Gilles Billen; Luis Lassaletta; Josette Garnier; Julia Le Noë; Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Opening to Distant Markets or Local Reconnection of Agro-Food Systems? Environmental Consequences at Regional and Global Scales. Agroecosystem Diversity 2018, 391 -413.

AMA Style

Gilles Billen, Luis Lassaletta, Josette Garnier, Julia Le Noë, Eduardo Aguilera, Alberto Sanz-Cobena. Opening to Distant Markets or Local Reconnection of Agro-Food Systems? Environmental Consequences at Regional and Global Scales. Agroecosystem Diversity. 2018; ():391-413.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gilles Billen; Luis Lassaletta; Josette Garnier; Julia Le Noë; Eduardo Aguilera; Alberto Sanz-Cobena. 2018. "Opening to Distant Markets or Local Reconnection of Agro-Food Systems? Environmental Consequences at Regional and Global Scales." Agroecosystem Diversity , no. : 391-413.

Contributors
Published: 26 October 2018 in Agroecosystem Diversity
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David J. Abson; Eduardo Aguilera; Bagoré Bathily; Philippe Baveye; Nicolas Befort; Tim G. Benton; Isabelle Bertrand; Gilles Billen; Juliette Bloor; Timothy M. Bowles; Vincent Bretagnolle; Toby J.A. Bruce; Gianluca Brunori; Mauroni Alves Cangussú; Paulo César De F. Carvalho; Abad Chabbi; Julian Chará; Juan Cruz Colazo; Christian Corniaux; Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol; Simona D'amico; William Deen; Leonardo Deiss; Luc Delaby; Christian Dupraz; Michel Duru; Martha Xochitl Flores Estrada; Alan J. Franzluebbers; Doreen Gabriel; Josette Garnier; Francois Gastal; Amélie C.M. Gaudin; Bernard Giroud; John Gowdy; Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen; Laura Henckel; John Hendrickson; Olivier Huguenin-Elie; Christian Huyghe; Erik Steen Jensen; Eric Justes; David Kleijn; Katia Klumpp; Hein Korevaar; Scott L. Kronberg; Pierre Labarthe; Claudete Reisdorfer Lang; Gwenaëlle Lashermes; Luis Lassaletta; Gerry Lawson; Philippe LeComte; Gilles Lemaire; Julia Le Noë; Philippe Leterme; Isabelle Litrico; Marie-Benoit Magrini; Marty D. Matlock; Rogerio Martins Mauricio; Vanessa E. McMillan; Zia Mehrabi; Paul Miguet; Anibal De Moraes; Enrique Murgueitio; Thomas Nesme; Paul Neve; Martino Nieddu; Domingos Sávio Campos Paciullo; Cristiano Magalhães Pariz; Sylvain Pellerin; Mark B. Peoples; L.D.A.S. Pontes; Sylvie Recous; John Regan; Leah L.R. Renwick; Rafael Sandin Ribeiro; Aude Ridier; Adanella Rossi; Cornelia Rumpel; Julie Ryschawy; Alberto Sanz-Cobeña; J. Schellberg; Verena Seufert; Gavin Siriwardena; Jonathan Storkey; R. Mark Sulc; J.P. Theau; O. Therond; Clement A. Tisdell; Cairistiona F.E. Topp; Françoise Vertès; Christine A. Watson; Jeroen Watté; Michael Williams; Clevo Wilson. Contributors. Agroecosystem Diversity 2018, 1 .

AMA Style

David J. Abson, Eduardo Aguilera, Bagoré Bathily, Philippe Baveye, Nicolas Befort, Tim G. Benton, Isabelle Bertrand, Gilles Billen, Juliette Bloor, Timothy M. Bowles, Vincent Bretagnolle, Toby J.A. Bruce, Gianluca Brunori, Mauroni Alves Cangussú, Paulo César De F. Carvalho, Abad Chabbi, Julian Chará, Juan Cruz Colazo, Christian Corniaux, Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol, Simona D'amico, William Deen, Leonardo Deiss, Luc Delaby, Christian Dupraz, Michel Duru, Martha Xochitl Flores Estrada, Alan J. Franzluebbers, Doreen Gabriel, Josette Garnier, Francois Gastal, Amélie C.M. Gaudin, Bernard Giroud, John Gowdy, Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen, Laura Henckel, John Hendrickson, Olivier Huguenin-Elie, Christian Huyghe, Erik Steen Jensen, Eric Justes, David Kleijn, Katia Klumpp, Hein Korevaar, Scott L. Kronberg, Pierre Labarthe, Claudete Reisdorfer Lang, Gwenaëlle Lashermes, Luis Lassaletta, Gerry Lawson, Philippe LeComte, Gilles Lemaire, Julia Le Noë, Philippe Leterme, Isabelle Litrico, Marie-Benoit Magrini, Marty D. Matlock, Rogerio Martins Mauricio, Vanessa E. McMillan, Zia Mehrabi, Paul Miguet, Anibal De Moraes, Enrique Murgueitio, Thomas Nesme, Paul Neve, Martino Nieddu, Domingos Sávio Campos Paciullo, Cristiano Magalhães Pariz, Sylvain Pellerin, Mark B. Peoples, L.D.A.S. Pontes, Sylvie Recous, John Regan, Leah L.R. Renwick, Rafael Sandin Ribeiro, Aude Ridier, Adanella Rossi, Cornelia Rumpel, Julie Ryschawy, Alberto Sanz-Cobeña, J. Schellberg, Verena Seufert, Gavin Siriwardena, Jonathan Storkey, R. Mark Sulc, J.P. Theau, O. Therond, Clement A. Tisdell, Cairistiona F.E. Topp, Françoise Vertès, Christine A. Watson, Jeroen Watté, Michael Williams, Clevo Wilson. Contributors. Agroecosystem Diversity. 2018; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

David J. Abson; Eduardo Aguilera; Bagoré Bathily; Philippe Baveye; Nicolas Befort; Tim G. Benton; Isabelle Bertrand; Gilles Billen; Juliette Bloor; Timothy M. Bowles; Vincent Bretagnolle; Toby J.A. Bruce; Gianluca Brunori; Mauroni Alves Cangussú; Paulo César De F. Carvalho; Abad Chabbi; Julian Chará; Juan Cruz Colazo; Christian Corniaux; Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol; Simona D'amico; William Deen; Leonardo Deiss; Luc Delaby; Christian Dupraz; Michel Duru; Martha Xochitl Flores Estrada; Alan J. Franzluebbers; Doreen Gabriel; Josette Garnier; Francois Gastal; Amélie C.M. Gaudin; Bernard Giroud; John Gowdy; Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen; Laura Henckel; John Hendrickson; Olivier Huguenin-Elie; Christian Huyghe; Erik Steen Jensen; Eric Justes; David Kleijn; Katia Klumpp; Hein Korevaar; Scott L. Kronberg; Pierre Labarthe; Claudete Reisdorfer Lang; Gwenaëlle Lashermes; Luis Lassaletta; Gerry Lawson; Philippe LeComte; Gilles Lemaire; Julia Le Noë; Philippe Leterme; Isabelle Litrico; Marie-Benoit Magrini; Marty D. Matlock; Rogerio Martins Mauricio; Vanessa E. McMillan; Zia Mehrabi; Paul Miguet; Anibal De Moraes; Enrique Murgueitio; Thomas Nesme; Paul Neve; Martino Nieddu; Domingos Sávio Campos Paciullo; Cristiano Magalhães Pariz; Sylvain Pellerin; Mark B. Peoples; L.D.A.S. Pontes; Sylvie Recous; John Regan; Leah L.R. Renwick; Rafael Sandin Ribeiro; Aude Ridier; Adanella Rossi; Cornelia Rumpel; Julie Ryschawy; Alberto Sanz-Cobeña; J. Schellberg; Verena Seufert; Gavin Siriwardena; Jonathan Storkey; R. Mark Sulc; J.P. Theau; O. Therond; Clement A. Tisdell; Cairistiona F.E. Topp; Françoise Vertès; Christine A. Watson; Jeroen Watté; Michael Williams; Clevo Wilson. 2018. "Contributors." Agroecosystem Diversity , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 16 October 2018 in Sustainability
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The high grain yield of modern varieties (MV) respond to the increase in fossil-based inputs, and the widespread belief that they are more productive than old varieties (OV) is biased. This belief focuses only on marketable biomass, without considering the consequences on agroecosystem sustainability of the reductions in other portions of NPP. Additionally, field comparisons of OV and MV were normally conducted under industrialized farming conditions, which is detrimental for OV performance. Both trials carried out in this study comparing wheat OV and MV show that, under Mediterranean rainfed conditions and traditional organic management, aerial and belowground biomass production of OV is higher than that of MV, without significantly decreasing yield and enabling a better competition against weeds. From the data of our trials, bibliographic review and information from historical sources, we have reconstructed the NPP and destinations of biomass of Spanish wheat fields (1900–2000). Varietal replacement entailed the reduction in residues and unharvested biomass (UhB), which involved soil degradation in rainfed cereal fields and undermining heterotrophic trophic webs. Our results suggest that OV can increase the sustainability of rainfed Mediterranean agroecosystems at present through the improvement of soil quality, the reduction of herbicides use, and the recovery of biodiversity.

ACS Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Gloria Isabel Guzmán; David Soto; Eduardo Aguilera; Inma Villa; Juan Infante-Amate; Antonio Herrera; Manuel González De Molina. Modern Wheat Varieties as a Driver of the Degradation of Spanish Rainfed Mediterranean Agroecosystems throughout the 20th Century. Sustainability 2018, 10, 3724 .

AMA Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego, Gloria Isabel Guzmán, David Soto, Eduardo Aguilera, Inma Villa, Juan Infante-Amate, Antonio Herrera, Manuel González De Molina. Modern Wheat Varieties as a Driver of the Degradation of Spanish Rainfed Mediterranean Agroecosystems throughout the 20th Century. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (10):3724.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guiomar Carranza-Gallego; Gloria Isabel Guzmán; David Soto; Eduardo Aguilera; Inma Villa; Juan Infante-Amate; Antonio Herrera; Manuel González De Molina. 2018. "Modern Wheat Varieties as a Driver of the Degradation of Spanish Rainfed Mediterranean Agroecosystems throughout the 20th Century." Sustainability 10, no. 10: 3724.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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Agriculture represents about 11% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). Many climate change mitigation strategies have been evaluated in Mediterranean agroecosystems, including their soil organic carbon sequestration potential. High residue yielding old varieties could constitute a useful alternative, especially for organic farming, which lacks specific genetic material. In this study, old and modern wheat varieties were evaluated under organic (ORG) and conventional (CON) management during a 3-year field experiment under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Field measurements of biomass components, literature emission factors, and soil organic carbon modeling were combined in an attributional Life Cycle Assessment, in order to estimate GHGe from “cradle to farm gate”. The resulting yield-based carbon footprints of old wheat varieties were significantly lower than those of modern varieties both under CON management, decreasing from 263 to 144 g CO2e kg−1, and under ORG management, decreasing from 29 to −43 g CO2e kg−1. Our results indicate that climate change mitigation strategies in Mediterranean rainfed cereal cropping systems should focus on diminishing GHGe from machinery and fertilizer use, and promoting carbon sequestration. The combination of organic management and old cereal varieties can constitute a promising climate change mitigation strategy in these systems, as low area-scaled GHGe of organic management are combined with enhanced carbon sequestration and a good yield performance of old varieties under these conditions.

ACS Style

G. Carranza-Gallego; G.I. Guzmán; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; Manuel González de Molina; Eduardo Aguilera. Contribution of old wheat varieties to climate change mitigation under contrasting managements and rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 195, 111 -121.

AMA Style

G. Carranza-Gallego, G.I. Guzmán, Roberto Garcia-Ruiz, Manuel González de Molina, Eduardo Aguilera. Contribution of old wheat varieties to climate change mitigation under contrasting managements and rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2018; 195 ():111-121.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G. Carranza-Gallego; G.I. Guzmán; Roberto Garcia-Ruiz; Manuel González de Molina; Eduardo Aguilera. 2018. "Contribution of old wheat varieties to climate change mitigation under contrasting managements and rainfed Mediterranean conditions." Journal of Cleaner Production 195, no. : 111-121.