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
Impacts of crop rotation depend highly on the
rotation scheme
, the
choice of crops
and the cultivation
practices
. Crop rotation may have a positive impact on the rate
of accumulation (depletion) of soil organic matter, pore morphology and connectivity, enhancing
water absorption
. Through increased infiltration and decreased runoff, crop
rotation contributes to reducing flood risks and to providing groundwater recharge.
Crop rotation improves
fertilization efficiency
by making mineral elements more available, increasing humus and organic matter, thus enabling lower nitrate inputs. It implies
that the soil is not left bare thus pollutants are better caught; however, the effectiveness in reducing nitrate losses depends on the rotation scheme and nutrients input. Crop
rotation is also efficient in managing grass cover, thus in decreasing the need for pesticides. Runoff reduction finally contributes to reducing soil erosion. If well designed and
managed, crop rotation can thereby help to improve
physio-chemical water status
.
Introducing legumes into rotations can improve
carbon sequestration
. Compared to monoculture, crop rotation is an
effective and natural mean
to fight pests and grass.
It increases agriculture sustainability by maintaining good conditions for further cropping, through improved
soil fertility
. Tests in France showed higher yields for wheat included
in a rotation than under wheat monoculture. Finally, crop rotation increases
landscape heterogeneity
.
