Novel Aspects for Accounting and Monitoring Carbon Sequestration of Tree Crops in the Mediterranean; Environmental and Economic Benefits

Our study investigates the mitigation potential of tree-crop cultivations in the Mediterranean. We analyze the CO2 balance of tree crops in different regions of the Mediterranean, taking into account the yearly growth of the biomass, the soil absorption affected by the climatological conditions and the cultivation patterns, as well as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, electricity, and fuels during the production process. An algorithm describing the CO2 balance and the CO2 sequestration processes has been developed on the basis of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge, reports, and estimates of the LULUCF framework as well as extensive experiments and surveys in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Different cultivation practices are evaluated, and their mitigation potentials are ranked accordingly. Our study identifies certain mitigation potentials of the agricultural sector, and hence, contributes to the development of climatic policies coupling agricultural, economic, and climatic objectives. Furthermore, our study may contribute to improved national CO2 emission estimations on the LULUCF sector, reducing the current uncertainty level which is estimated at ≈70%.