The potential of economically successful innovative food and non-food systems in limiting soil erosion by wind across EU regions

Integration of food- and non-food production (IFNS) is not an easy task at the landscape scale. The questions arise, whether integrated systems systems, including agroforestry (AF) practices enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services relative to conventional agriculture and what is their general impact at the local scale in terms of climate change complexities. Here we explore the potential of different kind of AF systems (both modern type combining food and SRC wood production as well as traditional models producing bioenergy/bioproducts by smallholders in silvo-arable or silvo-pastoral systems) in delivering environmental benefits, focusing on preserving soil fertility and limiting soil degradation. One of the least visible degradation factors of soil cover is wind erosion. Wind erosion is a complex geomorphic process governed by a large number of variables. Field-scale models such as the Wind Erosion Prediction System employ numerous parameters to predict soil loss. A preliminary pan-European assessment of land susceptibility to wind erosion was created by the team at JRC in 2014 (Borelli et all, 2014). Agroforestry remains one of the most promising food production systems in terms of limiting wind erosion by lowering wind speed and increasing soil cover. In the studies, a network of representative integrated food and non-food systems (IFNS) were identified in different socio-economic and environmental settings in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe across countries and bio-geographical zones. The network of six IFNS comprised both traditional and innovative systems in which trees, crops and livestock are integrated in different ways and at different spatial scales (table 1). Analyzing the wind erosion threat index in NUTS3 regions, it is apparent the wider adoption of given IFNS that proved themselves to be economically successful in particular NUTS3 regions would potentially limit wind erosion rates, especially for systems with arable component. The IFNS and their regions differ considerable in each of wind erosion threat index, British IFNS (1.616 Mg/ha/yr) and Danish IFNS (0.486 Mg/ha/yr) to a lesser extent being highly at risk of soil superficial erosion due to the location in highly wind conditions and soil susceptible to wind erosion. The potential of regional agroforestry practices (within each IFNS category and for each land use cover - EEA 2018) was estimated to mitigate considered risk for particular NUT in terms of financial investments needed to transform the land into agroforestry practice. The highest potential for limiting the area of strong wind erosion by an IFNS existing in a particular NUTS is observed in Romania, where 531km2 might be protected effectively with silvopastoral system, while applied in a longer term on non-pastoral land cover classes it could provide effective protection for another 1362 km2. The second largest influence can be achieved in the Polish NUTS regions, where 125 km2 may be taken into protection directly and another 1140 km2 may be transformed into agroforestry systems to lower the risk of soil erosion. Introduction of silvopastoral IFNS in Italy could save 114km2 of soil with 106km2 being under severe wind soil erosion threat. The highest risk is particularly observed on agricultural land in UK. Silvopastoral systems could be introduced there on pastures, saving potentially up to 414km2 of land.