- Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project (max. 300 words)
Mediterranean agriculture is traditionally based on a high diversity of crops (and varieties) and systems. Although this diversity remains a reality in several places in the Mediterranean, the modern agrosystems are getting simpler and simpler, and tend to specialize in meeting the needs of agro-industrial sectors. At the same time, they have become ecologically fragile and less resilient to climate hazards. In the Biodiversify project, we built around agroecological and biodiversity-based agriculture principles and defined Highly Species-Diversified (HSD) systems as an overarching objective to counteract the negative environmental externalities of monocultures and meet the challenges of food security and sovereignty under climate change. We targeted three emblematic agrosystems of the Mediterranean, based on cereals (and more generally arable crops), olive and vines, that are increasingly managed as monocrops, raising multiple concerns about their sustainability, and explored different ways for their re-‘biodiversification’ towards HSD systems, e.g., by mixing crops, by mixing trees and crops, by making more from the spontaneous vegetation, to improve their multifunctionality and resilience. For instance, we paid particular attention to re-introducing legumes as intercrops in cereal-based cropping systems. We compared different agroforestry systems based on crop and olive tree associations. We explored the role of wild and spontaneous species as forage crops or cover crops in olive groves and vineyards. To make our work as rooted as possible in local issues, we developed participatory approaches with farmers and stakeholders combined with targeted experimental and modelling studies in six countries (Algeria, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Tunisia).
- Overview of the results and their exploitation and dissemination (max. 300 words)
The Biodiversify project has (1) generated original data on HSD systems through field trials and surveys, (2) developed adapted modelling tools for HSD systems, (3) initiated a knowledge hybridization process to co-design and co-evaluate HSD systems, and (4) disseminated the results through various learning materials.
- We showed that crop diversity can lead to promising productivity and positive environmental outcomes. HSD systems can maintain or increase crop yield while using fewer resources. Allowing spontaneous vegetation to thrive can produce high-quality forage, prevent soil erosion, and support beneficial insects. However, environmental conditions and management practices influence the outcomes in a complex manner. We created databases on crop traits and performance and provided practical recommendations.
- We adapted three different crop models for HSD systems, allowing for a multi-criteria assessment based on yield and ecosystem services. The models revealed trade-offs between yield and ecosystem services and highlighted the dependency of successful crop associations on fertilization, irrigation, and pesticides. We also assessed the sustainability the economic performance of HSD farming systems to explore policy scenarios support the diversification process.
- We assembled a local team of researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders across eight case studies, and we co-designed and co-evaluated promising HSD systems using participatory approaches. We proposed innovative combinations of crops and trees, benefiting from the rich diversity of crops that farmers could potentially grow. We also acknowledged that the threats related to climate change are increasingly real, while opportunities are becoming scarcer.
- We promoted the results to stakeholders through the participatory workshops with the multi-actor teams. We also created teaching materials for a Ph.D. course on crop models to analyze, design, and simulate HSD agrosystems, and for the ‘Agroecology’ MOOC, which focuses on various aspects of innovative olive farming systems. These materials target students and young professionals internationally, and may inform consumers.
- Conclusions on the project (max. 300 words)
The positive effects of biodiversity in Mediterranean farming systems are promising and should be carefully considered in farming system design to promote multifunctionality, resource efficiency, land productivity and resilience. It is, therefore, important to make better use of the rich diversity of species, varieties, and wild weeds found in the Mediterranean, which is a strength for the region. However, future climate conditions may pose challenges to maintaining these positive effects, and more research is needed to predict changes in biodiversity outcomes and to adapt farming system management to increase resilience. While management is crucial, technical recommendations on HSD systems (intercropping, agroforestry, cover cropping) are still in their early stages. Biodiversity outcomes can be better understood through applied research and empirical studies conducted by agronomists and farmers. Moving forward, it is essential to use participatory approaches and integrate different sources of knowledge, including traditional knowledge from farmers, to advance research in this area.
- Socio-economic impact of the project (max. 300 words)
The project has been based on a multi-actor approach, involving a diverse group of stakeholders, primarily farmers. The research has focused on fundamental aspects necessary for initiating action research and transferring knowledge for future projects. As a result, the socio-economic impacts have been limited and challenging to quantify after three years of activity. Further analysis of results is required to provide clear operational messages to deliver. However, the project has started to change the perception of diversified systems among stakeholders and of research methodology. We anticipate that farmers and other stakeholders involved in the case studies of the project will become more confident and proactive in driving innovation, and will be able to share it within their professional networks. For the researchers involved, the success of participatory approaches in designing innovative systems is likely to lead to new research methods with greater impact.