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

Case studies per NWRM