The Effects of Cover Crops on Multiple Environmental Sustainability Indicators—A Review

Cover crops have been introduced in European agricultural systems due to their multiple agro-ecological services and environmental benefits, which do not necessarily affect profitability. Our paper follows a systematic literature review approach highlight the results of 51 studies on effects adopting cover crops. We used list 41 agri-environmental sustainability indicators present different impacts pedoclimatic situations. Herein, we positive (e.g., reduced soil erosion nitrate leaching, higher carbon sequestration quality, biodiversity enhancement, mineral fertilizer requirement), but also more variable associated with use management interest for farm economics, nutrient water competition cash crops, improved GHG balance, even if N20 emissions are slightly increased). highlights these synergies among indicators. More research data needed context diverse site-specific conditions farm-management practices, especially between traditional (i.e., C savings) climate change net balance potential global warming).