Agriculture sciences

Droughts and other consequences of climate change are putting a strain on agriculture. This is why the cultivation method of agroforestry - already long established in the tropics and subtropics - is increasingly being used in European agricultural systems. This is because the integration of trees and shrubs with arable farming and livestock farming on the same land promotes biodiversity and protects against climate risks.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are no longer only installed on roofs, but also on farmland and grassland. A growing variant of this is agrivoltaics - the generation of solar power on agricultural land: solar panels between fruit trees, vines or cows. The study published in the journal Land Use Policy now shows that agrivoltaics are better accepted by the population than normal ground-mounted solar systems. This result is based on an online survey of almost 2,000 people from Germany.

The way in which fields are cultivated and food is produced has a lasting impact on the environment and climate. Around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and soil degradation are caused by global agricultural and food systems. The Leibniz research network ‘Green Food - Healthy Society’ is now providing a new systemic approach to tackling these challenges.

Whether in food processing or agriculture, residues such as cereal straw, leaves or vegetable stalks usually end up as animal feed in troughs or fields. In Baden-Württemberg alone, this amounts to around 7.7 million tonnes per year. For the bioeconomy, these previously underutilised agricultural side streams can be a source of raw materials for new bio-based products and pave the way for a resource-efficient circular economy.

Soil is a vital resource, but is increasingly under threat. According to the European Soil Observatory (EUSO), around 76% of soils in Germany alone are degraded. Soil degradation has many causes: Erosion, intensive agriculture, monocultures, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and urbanization have all contributed to upsetting the balance in the soil - with serious consequences for agriculture, climate and nature.

The intensive use of agricultural land has placed a heavy burden on soils in north-west Europe. In many regions, the humus content is too low. As a result, soils are less able to store water, which increases the risk of erosion and flooding - and jeopardises food security in the long term.

Producing food on agricultural land and generating electricity at the same time - this concept is not new. So-called agri-photovoltaic systems (agri-PV systems) are already being tested at various locations across Germany. One advantage is that the dual use of agricultural land creates new sources of income for farmers. The MoorPower project is now investigating whether such a concept can also make the rewetting of degraded moorland more attractive for farms.

Catch crops such as field mustard or legumes are small all-rounders for agriculture: they serve as animal feed or remain on the field as green manure to prepare or improve the soil for the next main crop. In this way, plants are supplied with nutrients, humus formation is promoted, the water, nutrient and carbon balance in the soil is stabilized and erosion is prevented. However, their potential as pollutant removers has so far been underestimated.