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Review

Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in European Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Focused Review

by
Roberta Farina
1,
Muhammad Ilyas
1,*,
Mariangela Diacono
2,
Claudia Di Bene
1,
Valentina Baratella
1,
Claudia De Santis
1,
Ulderico Neri
1,
Alessandro Persiani
2,
Francesco Montemurro
2,
Chiara Piccini
1,
Carlos Alberto Torres-Guerrero
3 and
Silvia Vanino
1
1
Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, (CREA), 00184 Rome, Italy
2
Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, (CREA), 70125 Bari, Italy
3
BETA Tech Centre, University of Vic—Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Earth 2026, 7(4), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7040114 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 4 May 2026 / Revised: 21 June 2026 / Accepted: 2 July 2026 / Published: 6 July 2026
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Abstract

Mediterranean agroecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change, soil degradation, and declining soil organic carbon (SOC), threatening long-term agricultural sustainability. Carbon farming and regenerative agriculture have emerged as complementary approaches to restore soil functionality while contributing to climate change mitigation. This review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025 to assess the agronomic effectiveness of key regenerative and carbon farming practices in Mediterranean systems. A structured bibliographic analysis using Scopus and Web of Science evaluated practices influencing SOC dynamics, erosion control, water regulation, and associated ecosystem services. Evidence indicates that the introduction of cover crops in the crop rotation and reduced or no-tillage are the most consistently effective practices for enhancing SOC stocks, particularly when combined with organic amendments and diversified rotations. Crop diversification, intercropping, and agroforestry further support SOC accumulation and erosion control, especially in perennial systems such as vineyards and olive orchards. Organic inputs stimulate microbial-mediated carbon stabilization, while regenerative grazing contributes to nutrient cycling under context-specific conditions. Across practices, integrated management consistently delivers greater and more stable benefits than single interventions. Regenerative agriculture thus provides a systems-based foundation for carbon farming in Mediterranean agroecosystems. Long-term field experiments and improved monitoring frameworks remain essential to quantify carbon persistence and support policy implementation.
Keywords: soil organic carbon; conservation tillage; crop diversification; organic amendments; climate mitigation; agroecosystem resilience soil organic carbon; conservation tillage; crop diversification; organic amendments; climate mitigation; agroecosystem resilience
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MDPI and ACS Style

Farina, R.; Ilyas, M.; Diacono, M.; Bene, C.D.; Baratella, V.; De Santis, C.; Neri, U.; Persiani, A.; Montemurro, F.; Piccini, C.; et al. Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in European Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Focused Review. Earth 2026, 7, 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7040114

AMA Style

Farina R, Ilyas M, Diacono M, Bene CD, Baratella V, De Santis C, Neri U, Persiani A, Montemurro F, Piccini C, et al. Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in European Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Focused Review. Earth. 2026; 7(4):114. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7040114

Chicago/Turabian Style

Farina, Roberta, Muhammad Ilyas, Mariangela Diacono, Claudia Di Bene, Valentina Baratella, Claudia De Santis, Ulderico Neri, Alessandro Persiani, Francesco Montemurro, Chiara Piccini, and et al. 2026. "Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in European Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Focused Review" Earth 7, no. 4: 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7040114

APA Style

Farina, R., Ilyas, M., Diacono, M., Bene, C. D., Baratella, V., De Santis, C., Neri, U., Persiani, A., Montemurro, F., Piccini, C., Torres-Guerrero, C. A., & Vanino, S. (2026). Regenerative Agriculture and Carbon Farming in European Mediterranean Agroecosystems: A Focused Review. Earth, 7(4), 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7040114

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