Our last publication: Application of Regenerative Agriculture: A Review and Case Study in an Agrosilvopastoral Region

Nuestra última publicación/ Our last publication:

Jiménez-Ballesta, R.; Mongil-Manso, J.; Jímenez-Sánchez, A.; 2025. Application of regenerative agriculture: A review and case study in an agrosilvopastoral region. Sustainability, 17, 9066. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17209066

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Abstract:

While agriculture is experiencing localized crises, its indispensable role as the foundation of humanity’s food supply requires its uninterrupted functioning. This conventional sys-tem is therefore in a state of competition with alternative models, particularly agroecol-ogy, which offers a different paradigm for food production. Given this situation and the need to gather reliable information on regenerative agriculture (RA), this article provides a literature review on its principles, objectives, and edaphic benefits. Additionally, it pre-sents a case study that offers practical knowledge of the techniques and actions imple-mented by an agroforestry farm in central Spain. With this goal, this article addresses key aspects of RA, such as the use of cover crops, and the integration of livestock, emphasizing its role in improving soil quality and increasing biodiversity, among other benefits. After reviewing numerous scientific articles, and despite widespread interest in RA, there is no commonly accepted definition, so there is a wide range of ways to define RA. Until a gen-eralized definition is accepted, we advocate making proposals and implementing meth-ods with extreme caution and based on the regional or local context in which it is defined. In this sense, based on the implementation of RA at the Kerbest Foundation farm, we pro-pose regenerative agriculture as a set of agroecological actions and processes that funda-mentally provide functional soil quality, food quality, ecosystem services, and, especially, healthy and economically profitable livestock farming. Based on all of the above, we can argue that RA is no longer merely a commitment made by farmers but, rather, an envi-ronmentally, economically, and socially sustainable solution grounded in scientific knowledge and technical experience.

Our last publication: Heterogeneidad a pequeña escala en laderas semiáridas: Propuesta metodológica e implicaciones ecohidrológicas para la restauración

Nuestra última publicación/Our last publication:

Mongil-Manso, J.; De Ancos-Siguero, J.L.; 2025. Small-scale heterogeneity in semi-arid slopes: Methodological proposal and ecohydrological implications for restoration. Bosque, 46(2): 189-203. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-92002025000200189

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Resumen:

En el momento de abordar una restauración ecológica, es necesario evaluar la situación de los procesos ecológicos en términos de funcionalidad o disfuncionalidad, para así poder planificar correctamente las actuaciones restauradoras. Para este fin, la metodología EFA/LFA es muy útil, puesto que utiliza una serie de indicadores ecohidrológicos apoyados en la heterogeneidad a pequeña escala de laderas semiáridas. Se basa en que los ecosistemas altamente funcionales retienen fuertemente recursos vitales (agua, suelo, nutrientes y materia orgánica), mientras que a medida que la función se deteriora se produce una creciente pérdida de estos recursos vitales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue proponer una modificación a la técnica de muestreo de la mencionada metodología. Mientras que la metodología original propone un muestreo mediante transectos lineales, este trabajo abogó por muestreos superficiales, que consiguen una mejor y más precisa evaluación de la funcionalidad ecológica de las laderas. Para comparar ambas metodologías, se han empleado, entre otras, pruebas estadísticas como t de Student, U de Mann-Whitney y ANOVA. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que en todas las variables se han encontrado diferencias significativas (P < 0,05) entre el método de muestreo original (lineal o unidimensional) y el propuesto como mejora (superficial o bidimensional). Se pudo afirmar, además, que la aplicación de ambas metodologías fue independiente de la zona en la que se desarrolle el muestreo, así como de la mayor o menor funcionalidad ecohidrológica.

Abstract:

When engaging in ecological restoration, it’s crucial to assess the status of ecological processes in terms of functionality or dysfunctionality to properly plan restoration efforts. In this regard, the EFA/LFA methodology proves highly beneficial as it employs a set of ecohydrological indicators based on the small-scale heterogeneity of semi-arid slopes. This methodology operates on the premise that highly functional ecosystems effectively retain essential resources like water, soil, nutrients, and organic matter, while declining functionality leads to a progressive loss of these vital resources. The aim of this study was to propose a modification to the sampling technique used in the aforementioned methodology. While the original method suggests sampling via linear transects, this research advocates for surface sampling, which provides a more thorough and precise assessment of the ecological functionality of slopes. To compare both methodologies, statistical tests such as Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and ANOVA were employed. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in all variables between the original linear or unidimensional sampling method and the proposed surface or bidimensional method. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the application of both methodologies was independent of the sampling area and the degree of ecohydrological functionality.