E
cosystem
servicesdelivered
Provisioning
Regulation & maintenance
Cultural
Abiotic
C
ontribution
topolicyobjectives
Water Framework Directive
Floods Directive
Birds & Habitats Directive
2020 Biodiversity Strategy
P
otential
biophysicaleffects
Runoff
Reducing pollution
Soil conservation
Habitat
Climate Change
High
Low
Medium
None
Early sowing can increase the level of
vegetation cover
up to 25%. The impacts of early sowing on evapostranspiration and soil wa-
ter retention are likely to be similar to those for green cover: more soil coverage might reduce runoff, increase soil water retention and enhance wa-
ter storage. Runoff reduction and enhanced infiltration can significantly contribute to groundwater recharge, flood risk reduction and
erosion control
(up to 50%).
Early sowing also contributes to
filtering pollutants
by taking up residual nutrients. Through reducing sediment loss and nitrate leaching, it thereby contributes to improving
the hydromorphology status of surface water, and preventing status deterioration.
Early sowing provides a better protection for ecosystems and habitat for fauna. Reduced nitrate leaching and reduced soil erosion make agriculture more sustainable. Early sowing
also contributes to
absorbing CO2
; increased carbon sequestration in the soil plays a role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Finally, early sowing can increase yields: trials led to 1% to 100% increase.
