SIC dynamics in Mediterranean agricultural soils: Characterizing farm advisors’ perception to inform research agendas

Calcareous soils are widespread in many regions of the world, including the Mediterranean basin, and are characterized by the presence of inorganic carbon (SIC), predominantly in the form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Although long considered stable and inert, SIC is now understood as dynamic and its presence, concentration, and composition influence agricultural soil functioning and carbon storage. Carbonate dissolution and precipitation are sensitive to agricultural practices. For instance, nitrogen fertilization induces soil acidification and gradually deplete SIC stocks, resulting in carbon losses through CO₂ emissions (Raza et al., 2024). Beyond their role in buffering soil pH, carbonates have also been reported to contribute to soil aggregation, soil organic matter stabilization, and nutrient availability (Zamanian et al., 2024). Therefore, a better understanding of SIC dynamics would support the development of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance the conservation and resilience of calcareous soils (Dina Ebouel et al., 2024; Raza et al., 2022). In response to environmental and climatic challenges that necessitate rapid adaptation of agricultural practices, greater integration of stakeholder perspectives and needs into soil research agendas has been widely encouraged (Cimpoiasu et al., 2021). Establishing shared understanding of the challenges enables to align research questions with real-world conditions, enhancing the relevance of recommendations for practice changes. In the frame of the PRIMA European project “Sharing-Med”, which aims to characterize Mediterranean soils, a survey is being undertaken to investigate farm advisors’ perceptions, concerns, and knowledge regarding SIC. The objective is to relate these perspectives with scientific knowledge to identify future research priorities specifically relevant to Mediterranean calcareous agricultural soils.  By march 2026, a total of twenty semi-structured interview, will have been conducted in southern France, complemented by an online questionnaire disseminated to agricultural advisors across the broader Mediterranean region (including Spain, Italy, Greece, and others). Insights derived from this survey will subsequently be discussed with the scientific community to refine and prioritize SIC research directions.

 

References
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