The quest for sustainable agriculture is more critical than ever, prompting innovative research to enhance environmental stewardship alongside food production. A groundbreaking European project is employing a combination of factorial experiments and stakeholder engagement across diverse agricultural landscapes to delve into the intricate relationship between plant and soil traits and ecological outcomes. This initiative spans arable agriculture, extensive and sown grasslands, and agroforestry systems in France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, representing a broad spectrum of European agro-ecological zones.
At the heart of this research is the desire to understand how specific traits and trait attributes of plants and soil are influenced by, and in turn influence, vital soil properties. These include soil organic matter dynamics, topsoil hydrology, and the efficiency of water and nutrient use – all crucial components of a healthy and productive agricultural ecosystem. The project’s findings are intended to have broad applicability, identifying both general principles and context-specific limitations relevant to various agro-ecological areas within Europe and beyond.
Dissemination and stakeholder involvement are integral to the project’s design. Active engagement with stakeholders, including farmers and policymakers, ensures a two-way flow of knowledge. Stakeholder insights inform the ongoing research, while research outputs are tailored to support practical changes in production system management, fostering improved sustainability. Discussions with farmers and other actors will explore potential synergies and trade-offs among ecosystem services deemed important at the landscape level. This collaborative approach will help determine the feasibility and scope of adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.
Landscape-level integration is achieved through stakeholder-driven scenario building. Novel technical information generated by the project serves as the foundation for developing a range of stakeholder-preferred management schemes. These schemes will then be rigorously evaluated within the project framework. Extending beyond regional engagement, the project’s implications will be discussed with stakeholders at the European level, ensuring its broader relevance and impact on agricultural policy and practice. This holistic approach aims to deliver practical, science-backed solutions for a more ecologically sound and sustainable agricultural future, embodying the principles of “Eco Serve” through environmentally conscious and effective strategies.
