Agricultural Land Degradation in Portugal and Greece

• Agricultural land degradation is a global problem affecting food production and other ecosystem services worldwide such as water regulation. It is driven by unsustainable land use and management practices (e.g. intensive tillage, overuse of agrochemicals) and can be aggravated by future climate change. Land degradation is particularly problematic in arid and semi-arid areas of southern Europe, and distinct soil degradation processes impair agricultural areas in Portugal and Greece. This chapter aims to improve understanding of various degradation processes affecting agricultural land, including soil erosion, compaction, contamination, and salinity and sodicity. It summarises the scientific literature on the current status of these degradation processes in agricultural areas of Portugal and Greece and their main causes and consequences. Moreover, it provides examples of best management practices implemented to mitigate agricultural land degradation. Some degradation processes are relatively well documented (e.g. erosion), while knowledge of the spatial extent of others such as soil compaction is still limited. A better understanding of soil degradation processes and of the counter-impacts of improved agricultural management practices is critical to support decision-making and ensure long-term fertility and productivity, thereby maintaining the sustainability of agriculture.

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Markvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Soil Science (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Annan lantbruksvetenskap -- Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Other Agricultural Sciences -- Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Agricultural land degradation

Compaction

Contamination

Greece

Portugal

Salinity and sodicity

Soil erosion

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)