Extensive grazing adjusted to an appropriate stocking density according to the available vegetation favours the incorporation of organic matter into the soil. This improves soil structure and composition, and enhances grasslands’ capacity to absorb carbon, thereby mitigating the carbon footprint of agricultural and livestock activities.

This is under the Carbon Farming and Agroecology eco-regime. The aim of this practice is to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, promote ecosystem services, and preserve natural habitats and landscapes.

It is divided into two sub-practices: establishing biodiversity islands and sustainable mowing. These prevent the abandonment of grasslands and protect habitats and endangered species. Many insect species, such as certain Lepidoptera, use species found in grasslands as a substrate for reproduction and nutrition, for example. To enable these species to complete their life cycles, the timing of mowing must be adapted to maintain high levels of invertebrate biodiversity.

This practice involves implementing a crop rotation scheme on participating farms, ensuring the inclusion of species capable of improving soil properties. Within the framework of the environmental approach of ‘Agroecology’, the main purpose is to protect the environment by prioritising sustainable management and preserving soil quality and water resources.

The implementation of inert covers, in the form of permanent mulching made from woody crop prunings, is an essential strategy to mitigate problems such as erosion and desertification in agricultural areas.

This practice establishes an inert protective layer on the soil, which acts as a barrier against these adverse processes. In addition, it contributes to the increase of organic matter in the soil, thus favouring a significant improvement in its quality and fertility. This initiative fits into the environmental framework known as ‘carbon farming’, given its focus on sustainability and the preservation of natural resources.

This eco-scheme is in line with the objectives set out in the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030. This practice aims to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, strengthening ecosystem services, and preserving habitats and landscapes. The ultimate goal is to promote biodiversity in agricultural areas, protect landscapes, and ensure the conservation of natural resources.

In the case of biodiversity areas in underwater crops, if the farmer has eligible farmland dedicated to underwater crops for a significant part of the year or production cycle, the following practices may be implemented in these areas:

A) Allocate at least 3% of the area to creating spaces for biodiversity.

B) The sustainable management of water surfaces in flooded areas to encourage the presence of migratory birds, reduce associated emissions and optimise water consumption.

This practice involves maintaining a vegetative cover on the soil, either by establishing spontaneous vegetation or by planting it. The main objective is to increase the soil’s capacity as a carbon sink, thereby reducing its susceptibility to the effects of climate change.

Additionally, the formation of a layer of organic debris on the soil’s surface optimises the use of resources by reducing the need for fertilisers thanks to the accumulation of organic matter and increased water availability. Furthermore, reducing tillage and optimising inputs significantly reduces Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. This strategy forms part of the environmental framework of ‘carbon farming’.