MELSpace (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)
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Optimizing seed harvest and processing of wild lentil genetic resources entering active and base genebank collections
No full textThis presentation was prepared for the 15th Biennial ISSS Conference / Seed Ecology VIII, which took place from September 15 to 19 in Australia
Conservation Status of Crop Wild Relatives in Lebanon’s Protected Areas: Eco-botanical Surveys for Baseline Data on Lathyrus
No full textLebanon, situated within the biodiversity-rich Mediterranean Basin, hosts a remarkable diversity of Crop Wild Relatives (CWR), including several species of the genus Lathyrus. These taxa represent valuable genetic resources for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, yet they remain under increasing pressure from habitat degradation, overgrazing, and climate change. This study presents a comprehensive eco-geographical survey of Lathyrus species across eight Lebanese protected areas, integrating field-based transect and quadrat sampling with ecological metrics, GIS-based spatial analysis, and morphological characterization. A total of 75 georeferenced occurrences representing 11 taxa were documented across 41 transects, revealing
heterogeneous distribution patterns influenced by altitude, slope orientation, and anthropogenic disturbance. Richness and frequency mapping highlighted the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) as a high-priority conservation area, while smaller reserves provided complementary habitats that enhance overall diversity. Several rare and previously overlooked taxa were recorded, and ambiguous accessions from earlier missions were clarified through morphological and ecological assessment. The findings provide essential baseline data for in situ conservation planning and support the designation of genetic reserves and long-term monitoring plots. A structured monitoring framework is proposed to track population dynamics and extend coverage to
underrepresented taxa, thereby contributing to the preservation of Lebanon’s agrobiodiversity and
strengthening regional conservation strategies
Exploring the effect of conservation agriculture on Soil fauna population in semi-arid cereal-legume agroecosystems: Use case from Morocco
No full textShifting conventional tillage (CT) system to conservation agriculture (CA), reduced tillage, soil cover and crop rotation has certainly an impact on different soil components (biological, chemical and physical). Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the influence of CA on soil physical and chemical quality in Moroccan soils. However, the impact on soil biology, particularly key soil organisms such as earthworms, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this study, summarized the results of two years of investigation on the effect of CA on earthworm population in a wheat-legume cropping system in the central region of Morocco. This study showed significant effects of earthworms on soil and crop productivity under CA-wheat based cropping system, particularly when climate conditions are more favorable for earthworm activity. Linking earthworms’ parameters to soil and crop data is necessary in future investigations. This suggests that soil fauna (e.g., earthworm), could be used as a soil health indicator which will be validated for potential use in different soil and climatic conditions
Water Footprint Network Approach Linked to Strategic Crop Value Chains in Tunisia
No full textThis methodological note presents an integrated framework for assessing the water footprint of strategic crop value chains under conditions of increasing water scarcity, with a particular focus on Tunisia. Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater resources in the country, while climate variability, recurrent droughts, and competing demands place growing pressure on limited surface and groundwater supplies. To support informed water management and sustainable agricultural development, the study combines two complementary approaches: a volumetric water footprint assessment based on the Stepwise Accumulation Approach and a water footprint impact assessment aligned with ISO 14046 and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) principles.
The first approach quantifies blue, green, and grey water use at each stage of the value chain and links water consumption to both physical and economic water productivity. The second approach evaluates the potential environmental impacts of water use, including water scarcity, eutrophication, ecotoxicity, and human toxicity, using established characterization methods such as AWARE, ReCiPe, and USEtox. Case studies from the literature illustrate how water footprints accumulate along value chains and identify irrigation and processing stages as critical hotspots.
The results demonstrate that integrating volumetric and impact-based approaches provides a more comprehensive understanding of water use, productivity, and environmental risk than either method alone. While volumetric indicators support efficiency and water allocation decisions, impact-based metrics contextualize water use within local environmental constraints. Despite data limitations and methodological challenges, the proposed framework offers a robust and adaptable tool to inform policy, guide resource allocation, and support sustainability strategies in water-scarce agricultural systems
Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: The Importance of Regional Collaboration with Dr. Zakaria Kehel
No full textDr. Zakaria Kehel, Research Team Leader for Genetic Resources at ICARDA, highlights why regional collaboration is essential for the conservation, management, and use of plant genetic resources.
Earlier in December, ICARDA brought together CWANA genebank managers to strengthen regional collaboration and safeguard crop diversity for food security and climate resilience
Linking Value Chains and Ecosystem Services in the Semi-Humid Area of North Africa: Frameworks for sustainable development of landscape chains in the Medjerda watershed, Northern Tunisia
No full textLandscape Chains explores how value chains of landscape products can drive sustainable landscape management while balancing social and ecological trade-offs across scales. This presentation investigates how these products connect consumers with the landscapes where they originate, and how flows of goods, finance, and information along value chains shape both people and ecosystems. The webinar will focus on three key dimensions: the ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies created by landscape product value chains; the movement of knowledge, feedback, and resources across production, processing, distribution, and consumption; and the identification of leverage points that can accelerate sustainable landscape transformation. By integrating insights from economic geography, socio-economics, and social-ecological research, this session will show how multifunctional landscapes capture value and highlight strategies for scaling sustainability through targeted interventions in value chains
Baseline high-resolution maps of soil nutrients in Morocco to support sustainable agriculture
No full textPhosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are essential fertilizer elements whose recommendations require soil
analysis tailored to crop-specific needs. However, in developing countries like Morocco, access to open
databases on nutrient bioavailability remains limited, hindering data-driven agricultural strategies.
This paper presents the first national reference maps of available P and exchangeable K at 250 m
resolution over Morocco’s croplands using digital soil mapping with machine learning algorithms and
environmental covariates. Unlike previous efforts employing traditional interpolation methods, these
maps were developed using Random Forest by integrating 5,276 soil samples for P and 6,978 for K with
76 environmental covariates representing climate, topography, vegetation, and parent material. Model
validation using independent test datasets demonstrated strong performance, with R2 values of 0.78 for
P and 0.80 for K. Uncertainty assessment through bootstrapping confirmed prediction stability across
diverse agricultural landscapes. These baseline maps enhance fertilizer recommendations, promote
precision farming and support agricultural sustainability. The maps are freely available through
open-access repository, enabling evidence-based decision-making for researchers, practitioners, and
policymakers to improve nutrient management efficiency
Upgrade of Digital Dashboard “Zar3direct” for Conservation Agriculture (CA) Advisory and Mechanization Services
No full textThis report provides the detailed progress update made on Digital Dashboard “Zar3direct” which aimed to provide Advisory and Mechanization Services for Conservation Agriculture (CA). Digital Dashboard “Zar3direct” intended to provide geographical database includes crop boundaries, farmer identification, current and precedent crops, and crop type. This data has been uploaded to a Postgresql database with postgis extensions. A provisional schedule has been approved and the next milestone corresponding to an alpha version of the platform during the cropping season 2024-2025. All the IT infrastructure is available, including a domain name, hosting services and database services
النشرة الرقمية للمزارع المغربي
No full textتهتم هذه النشرة الرقمية لتعزيز التواصل مع المزارعين المغاربة المهتمية بالزراعة الإيكولوجية بخصوص أنشطة مشروع جبلهن "تمكين الجمعيات النسائية كرائدات للتحول الإيكولوجي الزراعي وتحسين دخل المجتمعات الفلاحية الجبلية"
Olive Oil Geographical Indication Development in the Ellès–Sers Region
No full textTwo capacity-building workshops were held on 21–22 November 2025 in the Ellès–Sers area of the Governorate of Kef, as part of the Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program, under Area of Work 3: Markets and Business Models. The workshops aimed to support the development of an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable olive oil business model by assisting local producers in obtaining a quality label for their olive oil. The sessions focused on two main themes: the strategic role of Geographical Indications (GI) in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient olive-based farming systems, and the operational, governance, and implementation principles of GIs with an emphasis on agroecological integration. Participants explored how GIs can enhance product differentiation, reinforce territorial identity, ensure traceability, and provide long-term economic incentives, while fostering collective organization, inclusivity, and equitable value distribution. By combining technical knowledge, practical examples, and participatory discussions, the workshops strengthened the capacities of local olive growers to develop and manage a quality label, improve income opportunities, and increase value along the olive oil value chain. The initiative laid the groundwork for a territorially anchored, agroecological, and climate-resilient GI, contributing to sustainable landscape management and inclusive rural development