1. UNCCD 2nd Scientific Conference
Economic assessment of desertification, sustainable land management and
resilience of arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas
Bonn, Germany, 9-12 April 2013
Impacts of agricultural practices on manmade soils
and ecological restoration efforts in a protected
NATURA 2000 area in the Apulia Region, Italy
Prof. Dr. Pandi Zdruli
International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM)
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy
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2. CIHEAM
Was established in 1962 under the auspices of OECD and the Council of Europe with original
membership of France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and ex-Yugoslavia.
At present CIHEAM brings together 13 member states Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Malta,
Morocco, Tunisia in addition to France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey
Paris
Montpellier
Zaragoza
Bari
Chania

3. RICERCA@ IAMB
Main activities of CIHEAM
• Training
• Research
• Cooperation
• Knowledge Dissemination
IAMB: areas of Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management
scientific excellence of Mediterranean fruit trees
of Mediterranean fruit trees
Mediterranean Organic
Mediterranean Organic
Agriculture
Agriculture
Land and water
Land and water
resources
resources
management
management
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture
and rural development
and rural development

4. Location of study areas within the Apulia region
Apulia is characterised by a typical
Mediterranean climate: hot and dry summers
and cool and wet winters Bari
80 % of the rainfall from November to April
Geologically the area is typical for karstic
Brindisi
processes and the presence of Cretaceous
limestone usually covered with Pleistocene
calcarenite (soft calcareous sandstone).
Provinces
Apulia Region 81 % of Apulia’s territory is
used by agriculture

5. Case 1: The province of Bari
Strong competing interests for land: rock grinding for crop production
More 20,000 ha over the last three decades were converted
Rock and soil grinding:into agricultural lands
From natural areas frantumazzione

6. Altamura, Province of Bari
Co n
ver
ting
pas
ture
s in 90 % surface stoniness
ara
bl e
l a nd
s fo
r ce
r ea
ls
Subsidized durum wheat but with low yields
Pastures with rock outcrops
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8. Apulia is the largest table grape producer and exporter in Italy
Man made soils: Anthrosols
30,000 €/ha investment
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9. Impacts on above ground biodiversity: flora
33,33 % loss in species diversity (27 versus 9)
But increase in number of individual plants
(100 versus 84)
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10. Impacts on soil quality
Positive changes Negative changes No changes
Decrease in SOM (≈ 57 %)
Increase in soil depth Decrease in SOC (≈ 58 %) Soil texture
Increase in active and total CaCO3 Decrease in N (≈ 32 %) CEC
Increase in rock fragments (skeleton) Increase in pH EC
Increase in P2O5 Destruction of soil structure
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11. Good agricultural practices towards soil management
Farmyard organic manure Legume green manuring
The future of rock grinding???????????
• If not subsidized cereals are not a viable and profitable option,
• Table grapes depend on the market,
• 2012 yielded good economic returns followed soon after by new land conversions
•The perception of biodiversity conversation attracts little attention to farmers
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12. Case 2: The province of Brindisi
No till corn grown in Brazil
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13. Since 2000 the official management Authority is a Consortium made of
representatives from
• Commune of Carovigno
• Commune of Brindisi
• WWF Italia
The Consortium is in charge of:
Nature conservation and rehabilitation
Ecosystem management
Preservation of cultural heritage
Enhancement of sustainable agricultural production No till corn grown in Brazil
In-house research in coastal habitat protection
Environmental awareness, training and education
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14. http://www.riservaditorreguaceto.it
No till corn grown in Brazil
Established in 1991
Total area: 2,300 ha (land and water)
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15. Wetlands of international importance (RAMSAR Convention)
• Special Zone Protection (ZPS) – directive 79/409/CEE
• Sites of Community Importance (SIC) – directive 92/43/CEE
– 3 priority habitats
– 5 habitats of community interest
No till corn grown in Brazil
Coastal sand dunes with Caretta caretta
Juniperus spp.,
Coastal lagoons,
Mediterranean saline steppes
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16. Agricultural development
The Park Authority endorse a
pragmatic approach by promoting
certified organic farming produce
No till corn grown in Brazil
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17. Recovering the Machia Mediterranea
No till corn grown in Brazil
Re-converting arable lands into natural habitats a
drop in the ocean but worth pointing out
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18. The experience of Torre Guaceto Natural
Park shows that it is possible to merge
cultural heritage, nature conservation,
environmental protection and
agricultural development
Thank you!
pandi@iamb.it
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