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Science communication has been completely transformed over the past decade: new channels, new formats, and new ways in which the public engages with scientific content.
And yet, many research groups still communicate as if Instagram did not exist, as if videos did not matter, and as if civil society were a secondary audience—despite the fact that it is often the main beneficiary of scientific findings… and also, directly or indirectly, their funder.

In this article, we reflect on the urgency of breaking away from this inertia. Connecting science and society is not a “nice extra” or something to be done only when there is spare time; it is a cross-cutting priority for any researcher who wants their work to have real impact.

And we are not speaking from theory—we are speaking from experience.

Access the article HERE

The first results of the GO OLIVE CARBON BALANCE Operational Group confirm that Andalusian olive groves act as an important carbon sink. In model farms such as Luque Ecológico, Cortijo El Puerto (Lora del Río) and Colival Valdepeñas, researchers have quantified the amount of CO₂ removed each year from the atmosphere and stored in the permanent biomass of olive trees (trunks, branches and roots).

The study, carried out by the Spanish Association of Olive-Growing Municipalities (AEMO), AgroecoliveLab and the Functional Unit of Ecology of INUO (University of Jaén), shows that all types of olive groves capture CO₂ effectively. The highest sequestration rates were observed in high-density hedge olive groves (>800 trees/ha), where values above 6 t CO₂ per hectare per year were recorded in some cases. Medium- and low-density olive groves showed sequestration rates ranging from 0.8 to 1.8 t CO₂/ha·year.

The amounts of CO₂ captured are similar to or even higher than the emissions associated with field operations, meaning that olive groves can be climate-neutral or even achieve a positive carbon balance, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. Funded by AEI-Agri (PEPAC) under the framework of supra-regional agricultural innovation, the project reinforces the role of olive groves as a key green infrastructure in the fight against global warming.

More information:
https://olivecarbonbalance.ecovalia.org/captura-carbono-olivares-andaluces/

Starting this week, we are launching the multilingual information campaign “The Olive Grove in Figures.” With the help of our avatar Picualín, we will be sharing interesting and surprising facts about the socioeconomic and environmental impact of olive groves in olive-oil-producing countries, with special attention to Spain.

We invite you to follow Picualín’s informative updates on our social media channels. Don’t miss it!

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At AgroecoliveLab, we are committed to making the most of the multiple dimensions of the olive grove.

Olive groves are entering a crucial moment in which their competitiveness and sustainability depend on harnessing all their functions, far beyond oil production alone. Changing consumer habits, now more focused on foods with added value, are opening new opportunities for the sector. In this context, olive groves also gain prominence for their role as carbon sinks, enabling the generation of carbon credits that provide complementary income for farmers. At the same time, oleotourism is emerging strongly as a way to diversify rural economies.

Given these trends, overlooking the multifunctional nature of olive groves no longer seems like a sound business decision. What do you think?

AgroecoliveLab presents new NUTRIOLIVAR results on the impact of soil erosion on nutrient balances (phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen) in olive groves under different management regimes. The study compares balances computed without and with erosion, integrating soil losses as a function of ground cover, tillage, and other practices.

The takeaway is clear: when soil is lost, nutrients are lost. Once erosion is included, small surpluses can turn into deficits, especially for potassium, changing the system diagnosis and potentially leading to less sustainable fertilization decisions if erosion is ignored.

The good news is that soil-protective practices, cover crops, reduced tillage, and incorporation of pruning residues, buffer that impact, enhance nutrient return, and help maintain long-term soil fertility.

Why account for erosion in nutrient balances?

Including erosion is essential for three reasons: (1) it is often omitted, which underestimates losses and biases management toward over-fertilization; (2) it is challenging to measure, depending on slope, rainfall, soil type, and cover, yet ignoring it distorts the diagnosis; and (3) the more agroecological the management, the lower the sensitivity of the balance to erosion.

Although there is uncertainty about the exact magnitude of losses, varying by site and management, the conclusion is robust: soil conservation is also an economic strategy, reducing reliance on external inputs and exposure to price volatility.

The accompanying figure illustrates how balances deteriorate when erosion is considered and how nature-based practices mitigate that effect, especially in systems with greater soil protection.

From November 4th to 6th, the SCALE-it project held its first annual meeting at the beautiful Estación Experimental del Zaidín (CSIC) in Granada.

Throughout the event, the extensive project team had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the progress and challenges of the many ambitious tasks related to testing innovative physical and chemical methods aimed at replacing traditional plant protection products across a wide range of European organic crops.

The presentations, workshops, and discussion sessions fostered an intense exchange of ideas and helped to refine the project’s procedures and roadmap.

At SCALE-it, we firmly believe in co-creation among partners: when projects are built collaboratively, the resulting solutions are stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable.

AgroecoliveLab presents new NUTRIOLIVAR results on nutrient recycling (N, P, and K) in olive groves under different management regimes. The study compares the exported fraction—what leaves the farm with the harvest or removed residues—with the recycled fraction, which returns to the soil via leaves, shredded pruning residues, cover crops, and organic amendments. The data confirm that as management shifts toward more agroecological practices, the percentage of recycled N, P, and K increases and the exported fraction decreases.

Closing the cycle of these nutrients translates into less purchased fertilizer, cost savings, and lower emissions associated with fertilizer manufacturing and transport. In addition, recycling reactivates soil biology and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity, thereby increasing the resilience of olive groves.

The accompanying figure illustrates the increase in recycling when moving from conventional to agroecological systems.

The carbon credit market is full of technical terms that can be confusing for many farmers, technicians, and researchers interested in the certification of CO₂ capture on agricultural land.

At AgroecoliveLab, we want to make it easier. That’s why we’ve created an interactive, visual, and user-friendly digital glossary that will help you understand the key concepts behind this fascinating field.

With this tool, you can become familiar with the most common terminology before diving into the world of certification — or simply when exploring information on the topic. This way, you’ll stop feeling like a stranger in a territory that’s becoming increasingly important for the future of farming and sustainability.

👉 Download the glossary and start speaking the language of carbon!