Agriculture faces growing challenges, including soil degradation and the unsustainable use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, whose costs have surged in recent years. A shift towards ecological intensification—enhancing ecosystem services (ES) to reduce dependency on external inputs—is essential for long-term sustainability.
This pilot study explores the role of gorse (Ulex europaeus L.), a native woody legume often regarded as a weed, in soil resilience and crop facilitation. Research suggests that gorse can stabilize soil, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to nitrogen fixation, yet its potential in agroforestry and ecological intensification remains largely unexplored.
Key Objectives:
- Assess how gorse hedges and shelterbelts improve soil resistance to erosion and compaction.
- Measure changes in soil water-holding capacity and carbon and nitrogen content associated with gorse.
- Evaluate potential positive (facilitation) and negative (allelopathy) effects on crops.
- Investigate the use of gorse as green manure or liquid macerate for nitrogen input and soil health.
- Quantify nitrogen fixation potential of gorse on marginal lands.
By identifying the multiple ecosystem benefits of gorse, this study aims to challenge perceptions and promote its use as a valuable agroecological resource rather than a nuisance.