Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition

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1 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Carranca, C. 1 ; Duarte-Maçãs, I. 2 ; Brito da Luz, P. 3 ; Carneiro, J.P. 4 ; Antunes, C. 5 1 INRB/L-INIA, Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, Nova Oeiras Oeiras, Portugal, corina.carranca@inrb.pt 2 INRB/L-INIA, Apartado 6, Elvas, Portugal, isabel.duarte@inrb.pt 3 INRB/L-INIA, Quinta do Marquês, Av. República, Nova Oeiras Oeiras, Portugal, paulo.luz@inrb.pt 4 INRB/L-INIA, Apartado 6, Elvas, Portugal, joao.carneiro@inrb.pt 5 University of Algarve, Portugal, cmantunes@ualg.pt

2 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Western of Iberian Peninsula Latitude: 37º-42ºN Longitude: 9º-6ºW Mediterranean-type climate in South

Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Average annual air temperature (1931-2004) (Source: Instituto de Meteorologia, Portugal)

3 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Average annual air temperature ( ) (Source: Instituto de Meteorologia, Portugal) Minimum and maximum average air temperatures in Portugal (ºC). (The mean annual temperature in the country ranges from 13 ºC to 18 ºC )

4 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Accumulated monthly precipitation in Portugal (mm). (The average rainfall in south varies from 450 and 570 mm year -1, whereas in northern it can reach 2,200 mm year -1 ) na Carranca

5 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition

6 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Potential erosion risk (%) in southern Europe Country South France High risk 9 Moderate risk 20 Low risk 49 Area without information 22 Italy Greece Spain Portugal

7 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Water erosion in EU 115 million ha (12% total area) Wind erosion in EU 42 million ha (4% total area) Organic C in european soils (0-30 cm), in relation with soil erosion (Source: European Commission, Reports of the Technical Working Groups, II)

8 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition 45% of european soils with medium levels of OM 45% of european soils with low OM content (0-20 g C org kg -1 ) (20-60 g C org kg -1 ) Pre-desertification index: 17 g OM kg -1

Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Main

reduction on soil organic C and biodiversity; reduction on

on C and N biogeochemical cycles; direct adverse impact on

9 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Main consequences from reduction on soil organic matter reduction on soil organic C and biodiversity; reduction on water retention; reduction on biodegradation; interruption on C and N biogeochemical cycles; direct adverse impact on water and air quality, and an indirect impact on crop production and human health

Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Negative impact of certain irrigation systems: Soil erosion and desertification; Soil alkalinity; Soil compaction

implemented: Reduction on soil compaction and disruption (use of soil conservation practices); Priority for permanent pastures; Reduction on overgrazing; Use

10 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Negative impact of certain irrigation systems: Soil erosion and desertification; Soil alkalinity; Soil compaction and crusting; Water polution; Water loss European Commission proposed a Directive for Soil Protection and Conservation (COM(2006)231), which is not yet implemented: Reduction on soil compaction and disruption (use of soil conservation practices); Priority for permanent pastures; Reduction on overgrazing; Use of cover crops and legumes; Implementing a data base for physical, chemical, biological indicators of soil quality; Introduction of an erosion tax; Educational programs

Country USA Brasil Argentina Australia Canada United Kingdom Spain Gremany France Portugal Drought Impacts in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Agricultural Land (x 10 3 ha) /

11 Country USA Brasil Argentina Australia Canada United Kingdom Spain Gremany France Portugal Drought Impacts in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Agricultural Land (x 10 3 ha) / Soil Management Source: APOSOLO (2001) Direct seeding 21,120 14,330 11,000 8,640 4, nd nd 9 Conservation practice 44,120 14,330 11,000 8,640 4,060 nd 1,000 1,

12 Organic C (g kg -1 ) Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Soil Organic Carbon (0-30 cm) in Function of Crop Residue Y= x, R 2 = Amount of Residues (Mg ha -1 ) Source: Carvalho, M. et al. (2002)

) were used to obtain the characteristic drop size for determining the C factor for tree and bush canopies Biodiverse pastures can

13 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition The leaves of most common trees and bushes in the agro-forest ecosystems in southern Portugal (Quercus suber L., Q. ilex L., Q. coccifera L.) were used to obtain the characteristic drop size for determining the C factor for tree and bush canopies Biodiverse pastures can accumulate 4 Mg C org ha -1 yr -1 The Portuguese extensive farming system montado, consisting of cork and oak trees, shrubs and biodiverse pastures can accumulate even more C org by the large senescent leaves from the trees.

source of income for farmers Most soils contain endogenous bacteria (Rhizobium sp.

14 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition NPortugal 2 fixers are offers important good conditions biofertilizers for grain sustainable agro-ecosystems pulses production Legumes, in rotation or associated, can be an additional source of income for farmers Most soils contain endogenous bacteria (Rhizobium sp.) very efficient to fix N 2 with various legumes (>65% plant N) Chickpea, fababean, pea and lupine are important grain legumes in the Mediterranean basin

15 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Chickpea is the third pulse crop in the world. This species is characterized by high contents of protein and carbohydrate in the grain, both important in human diets. In the Mediterranean agricultural systems, chickpea is a spring crop, sown in March-April and is extremely affected by long periods of drought during the reproductive phase.

Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition A breeding program

and biotic stress Diseases and drought are the most important

Drought is the major abiotic stress throughout the chickpea

16 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition A breeding program will develop new chickpea germplasm resistant to the main abiotic and biotic stress Diseases and drought are the most important limiting yield factors. Drought is the major abiotic stress throughout the chickpea growing areas. Normally, water stress conditions, shorten the growth cycle and chickpea plants stop the apical growth.

17 Yield (10 3 Mg) Yield (10 3 Mg) Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition Fruits Production in Portugal in Pear Production in Portugal (Mg) Berries, Almonds and Nuts Production in Portugal (Mg) Years Yield Average Years Almonds yield Berries yield Nuts yield Average ( ) Average ( ) Average ( )

18 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition B The importance of Mycorrhiza Myke = fungi + Rhiza = root

19 Drought in Europe: The Portuguese Condition CONCLUSIONS Drought caused desertification, soil degradation, reduction of crop yield. To improve soil fertility, the soil should be kept covered; crop rotations or associated crops, with inclusion of legumes, even annual pastures should be used; soil conservation practices should be a priority; use of natural or improved permanent pastures, particularly in steep slopes and shallow soils; use of appropriate irrigation systems and water frequency; maximize the mycorrhizal colonization.

20 Thanks

TWO EXAMPLES OF SOIL CONSERVATION PROJECTS THAT MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Conference Too Much, Too Little The role of water in adaptation to climate change Lisboa, 08.10.2013 TWO EXAMPLES OF SOIL CONSERVATION PROJECTS THAT MITIGATE AND ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE Tiago Domingos,