Agroecology can be defined as an integrated approach to agriculture and food systems, combining ecological and social principles to agricultural management and food systems design. Thanks to its holistic approach towards sustainability, agroecology can help tackle climate change challenges, from both mitigation and adaptation perspectives. Agroecological practices such as the use of cover crops and green manures have the potential to increase carbon stored in the soil, as well as soil fertility, mitigating climate change and at the same time improving crop productivity. Nonetheless, it has been shown that practices that can have a positive effect on carbon sequestration might increase emissions of other greenhouse gasses, such as nitrous oxide.
This webinar will provide an overview on agroecological practices and climate change, and present results from field experiments on the effect of cover crops on carbon and nitrogen in the soil, with related implications for climate change mitigation.