Within the frame of the LIFE AgriAdapt project, a climate risk assessment at farm level was performed. Resulting from this assessment, a set of adaptation measures was proposed and some of them are being implemented in the pilot farm located in Melque de Cercos.

One of the first adopted measures was the improvement of crop rotations. The farmer currently performs rotations with five different crops (durum wheat, carob, barley/oats, sunflower). The crop rotation with legumes (e.g. carob) compared with monoculture cultivation, ensures higher yield and a better resistance to climate change, by increasing the nutrient content of the soil and improving the soil biology. In addition, crop rotation allows reducing GHGs emissions from the farming activity. The cultivation of association of legumes and cereals (e.g. barley and carob or oats and alfalfa) as forage crops to improve yields is another implemented measure, which has relevance in terms of adaptation. These species have different nutrient requirements; legumes grow better by climbing along the stalks of the cereal. Moreover, the association of these species enables to improve the nutrient balance and biology of the soil. Other measures such as early sowing to reduce hydric and thermal stress at the end of the growth cycle, use of traditional varieties well adapted to the local climate, and sowing of shorter cycle crops (such as oats) in January-February if the fall has being too dry and the emergence of the first crop sown has been compromised, were implemented.

Soil management measures are being implemented as well: avoiding bare soil by leaving the stubble standing, applying organic fertilizer (manure) at least every two years, and feeding of livestock (80 sheep, native breed) on fallow lands to further fertilize the soils, are being applied to increase the soil quality and resilience. Finally, multifunctional field margins were created or requalified to reduce soil erosion and enhance local biodiversity, with particular benefits for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Vegetation in these margins includes mostly local ruderal species (such as Matricaria chamomila, Papaver rhoeas, Foeniculum vulgare or Malva sylvestris), irregularly distributed shrubs (such as Crataegus monogyna, Sambucus nigra, Retama sphaerocarpa or Rosa canina) and isolated trees (such as Populus alba or Salix alba). Multifunctional margins often also include stone piles, which provide nesting and shelter sites for reptiles and arthropods. Farmers reported that during the first two years the establishment of the ruderal vegetation in the margin was rather difficult, due mainly to weeds competition. However, after the initial period of two years, the margins’ vegetation evolved into a more stable mix of species of more interest for pollinators and in general more beneficial for the local fauna.

Within the project, a new climate risk assessment will be performed to monitor the performance and efficiency of the implemented adaptation measures. Moreover, yields and feedback from the farmers are regularly checked to verify the expected benefits of these measures.