Luso-Galician Living Lab

50.852 km²

Total area

~6,2M

Population

Vineyards and Olive groves

Permanent Crops

Leonor Pereira leopereira@utad.pt
Living Lab Leader

The Territory

The Luso-Galician Living Lab brings together two neighbouring regions across the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula: Galicia in Spain and Northern Portugal. Although separated by a national border, these territories share a deeply connected agricultural identity shaped by similar soils, climate conditions, and centuries of farming tradition.

Across this landscape, vineyards and olive groves define both the economy and the cultural heritage of the region. From the steep, terraced slopes of the Douro Demarcated Region, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape and birthplace of Port wine, to the Atlantic-influenced vineyards of Rías Baixas and Vinhos Verdes, the diversity of terrain is both a strength and a challenge.

This combination of shared conditions and contrasting landscapes makes cross-border collaboration essential. By working together, stakeholders from both regions are developing practical, science-based solutions to improve soil health in high-value, slope-based agricultural systems.

The Crops

The Living Lab focuses on two permanent crops that define the agricultural identity of this territory and face similar soil health pressures: vineyards and olive groves.

Vineyards

Vineyards across the region reflect a remarkable diversity of landscapes and production systems. They range from the historic terraces of the Douro Valley to the coastal vineyards of Rías Baixas and Vinhos Verdes, as well as the steep slopes of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia.

Most vineyards are managed under conventional or integrated systems, although the transition to organic production is gaining momentum. Cover crops are increasingly recognised for their benefits, yet many growers remain cautious due to concerns over competition for water and nutrients. At the same time, the continued use of herbicides for under-vine management raises long-term concerns for soil health, biodiversity, and resilience.

Olive Groves

Olive production is concentrated primarily in Trás-os-Montes, where a significant share benefits from Protected Designation of Origin status. In parallel, the Douro subregion is progressing towards Protected Geographical Indication certification, reinforcing the growing value of its olive oil sector.

Most olive groves rely on rainfed systems and traditional soil management practices such as tillage or mowing between rows. However, the combination of steep terrain and frequent periods of bare soil significantly increases the risk of erosion, particularly during intense rainfall events. This makes soil conservation a critical priority for the long-term sustainability of olive production in the region.

Main Challenges

The soils of this region face a combination of structural, climatic, and management-related pressures. Understanding these challenges is the first step towards finding lasting solutions.

Soil Erosion

The deeply terraced hillsides of the Douro and other inland areas are especially vulnerable to soil erosion. Sloping terrain, intensive tillage, and herbicide use — which leave soils bare for extended periods — combine with increasingly intense rainfall events to cause significant soil loss. In some areas, terrace construction has altered surface and subsurface water flow, intensifying erosion risk during extreme weather. Under climate change projections, these pressures are expected to worsen.

Soil Degradation

Repeated tillage, heavy reliance on mineral fertilisers, and limited organic matter inputs have progressively depleted soil structure and biological activity across many vineyards and olive groves. Declining organic matter reduces water retention, increases vulnerability to compaction and nutrient leaching, and creates conditions for soil disease outbreaks — all of which reduce long-term agricultural productivity.

Water Stress

In inland areas with continental climates, rainfall is increasingly concentrated in short, intense periods, while growing seasons face extended drought. This water stress directly reduces the productivity of vineyards and olive groves, triggers cascading effects on soil stability and nutrient availability, and threatens the viability of rainfed agriculture in the region. Climate change projections indicate that water stress will intensify in the coming decades across this area.

Soil Biodiversity

The widespread use of herbicides and tillage has led to a significant decline in soil biodiversity across the region. Lower microbial diversity weakens essential soil functions such as nutrient cycling, water filtration, and natural disease suppression, creating a feedback loop that further degrades soil health and reduces crop resilience over time.

Copper Accumulation

Vineyards and olive groves in this region require frequent fungicide applications to combat diseases such as grapevine downy mildew and olive leaf spot. Many of these products are copper-based, and repeated use leads to copper accumulation in soils, which can reach levels toxic to soil organisms. Monitoring and reducing copper loads in agricultural soils is a critical long-term challenge for sustainable farming in this region.

A Partnership Rooted in the Field

The Luso-Galician Living Lab is built on a strong alliance between scientific research and the agricultural sector. Leading research institutions including UTAD, the University of Vigo, and the University of Porto work hand in hand with farmers, producer organisations, and key players from the wine and olive industries on both sides of the border.

This collaborative approach ensures that every solution developed is grounded in real farming conditions. By combining scientific expertise with practical knowledge, the Living Lab accelerates the adoption of sustainable soil management practices and ensures that innovation reaches those who can implement it at scale.