Europe's production of grapes, olives and nuts is threatened by soil erosion due to rising temperatures, according to Greek and Swedish scientists.
Some Mediterranean soils are reaching critical limits for its ability to provide ecosystem services, their report found, and they’re calling for a pooling of research results in order to stay one step ahead of soil degradation.
“The problem may be even bigger than we realise. And that is worrying,” said Zahra Kalantari of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
Multiple forms of physical, chemical and biological degradation affect the Mediterranean soils, making it the most susceptible region in Europe to soil degradation and desertification.
Some soils can no longer be worked
Fields and orchards in Mediterranean countries are at risk of turning into deserts, the study found, with soil organic matter falling while salinity rises.
Researchers analysed agricultural analysis and data from dozens of European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Their findings show that the Mediterranean region generally has the highest soil erosion rates in Europe, the lowest levels of organic matter and severe salinisation problems.
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Some soils are approaching the point where they cannot be worked. Declining levels of organic matter, combined with pollution, hardening and erosion, mean that worms, ants and other organisms that provide biodiversity and enrich the soil are in danger.
Researchers want to implement a monitoring system in order to stay ahead of the degradation.
