Vulnerability of olive orchards under the current CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) regulations on soil erosion: a study case in Southern Spain

For the study period, frequent events with a low return period resulted in soil losses >10 t ha−1, despite the use of different soil management techniques and the compliance of CAP agro environmental regulations. The high risk of soil degradation evaluated might mean that the criterion based on slopes >10% is not suitable for the application of agro-environmental requirements of CAP. On the other hand, further research on conservation technologies such as a more efficient use of cover crops, mulches and plant barriers, controlled traffic farming and/or changes in land use is needed.