typical of north-eastern
Sardinia (Italy), changes in land use with respect to the potential
native vegetation of cork oak forest affected the carbon balance
significantly with a sharp decrease in the vineyards, with a lower
effect to be ascribed to climate change scenarios. This should be taken
into account when planning measures for mitigation and adaptation
to climate change by adopting cropping systems at low
intensification which have proved to be more effective in maintaining
the carbon stock. Moreover, in the study area the land devoted
to vineyards is constantly increasing since this farming
system is more profitable, and is a key economic driver for removal
of forested and pasture land. Nonetheless, when vineyards are
introduced they should be managed with less disturbance to the
soil (i.e. no-tilled and grassed) in order to limit soil degradation
in a long term perspective