The Importance of Green Covers in Mediterranean Crops Using Different Analysis Methods and Geoprocessing Tools

[EN] Plant cover on Mediterranean crops has become increasingly important in recent decades. The aim of plant covers between tree crops is to enrich the agricultural soil, which decreases erosion and the loss of biodiversity. It creates an ecosystem together, but not competing, with the cultivated plants. The aim of the use of green covers is to maintain and improve soil quality. These covers can increase organic matter and nutrient content, reduce erosion, and contribute to balancing the water balance, hydrological cycle, and even soil biodiversity. For all these reasons, this work is focused on evaluating the effect on the soil of the use of cover crops based on grasses, legumes, cruciferous plants, and a mixture of different ¿owering species in soils dedicated to the cultivation of persimmon (Diospyros kaki, Thumb) in Valencia (Spain). Ten orchards were under study, with different cover crops and bare soil to compare them. Soil samples were obtained by systematic sampling at a total of 71 sites within 15 cm of the surface. Soil respiration was measured in the ¿eld, and pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter were determined in the laboratory. For this purpose, Sentinel 2 satellite images and multispectral drone images were used to study the different vegetation, soil, and moisture indices, and analyse them with geostatistical tools. Those statistical analyses of soil variables were also used to obtain relationships between the different parameters under study and soil arthropods, which are known to be active decomposers of soil organic matter. The preliminary results show relevant data in mixtures of legumes, ¿owers, and spontaneous green covers because they increased the percentage of organic matter and mesofauna in the period of study, while bare soil decreased in biological properties.