Code
A08
Sector
Agriculture
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary
Green cover (including cover crops or catch crops) refers to crops planted in late summer or autumn, usually on arable land, to protect the soil, which would otherwise lie bare during the winter, against wind and water erosion. Green cover crops also improve the structure of the soil, diversify the cropping system, and mitigate the loss of soluble nutrients.
Illustration(s)
Orchard with green cover
Source: Gonzalo Delacámara’s presentation, NWRM Workshop 1 (Spain)
Possible benefits with level
| Benefits | Level |
|---|---|
|
BP2 - Slow runoff
|
High
|
|
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
|
Medium
|
|
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
|
Medium
|
|
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
|
Medium
|
|
BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources
|
Low
|
|
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
|
High
|
|
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
|
High
|
|
BP11 - Improve soils
|
Medium
|
|
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
|
Low
|
|
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
|
Medium
|
|
ES3 - Natural biomass production
|
Low
|
|
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
|
Low
|
|
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
|
Medium
|
|
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
|
Medium
|
|
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
|
High
|
|
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
|
High
|
|
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
|
High
|
|
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
|
Low
|
|
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
|
Medium
|
|
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
|
Low
|
|
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
|
Low
|
|
PO6 - Improving chemical status
|
Low
|
|
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
|
High
|
|
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
|
Medium
|
|
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
|
High
|
|
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
|
Low
|
|
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
|
High
|
|
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
|
High
|
|
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
|
High
|
in-depth 
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