Research Units
Ecology Unit

This unit is focused on increasing the sustainability of the olive grove, from environmental and socio-economic points of view, and on raising the value of the main by-products of the sector. This objective is pursued through research, transfer, training and dissemination activities aimed to promote the implementation of technically and economically viable management practices and innovations that reinforce a diversity of ecosystemic services that guarantee sustainable production and provide resistance and resilience against to climate change.

2026

Domouso, P., Pareja-Sánchez, E., Lechuga-Puñal, J., García-Moreno, A.J., Ochoa-Esteban, V., & García-Ruiz, R. (2026). Carbon farming in Mediterranean olive groves: potential for carbon credits and policy implications. Journal of environmental management, 398, Article 128464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.128464

Manzaneda, A.J., Martínez, L.M., Fernández-Ocaña, A., Salido, T., & Rey, P.J. (2026). Drivers of insect herbivory resistance and tolerance to plant damage in the Brachypodium distachyon species complex. American journal of botany, Article e70176. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.70176

Navas-Higuero, C., Tiban, B.A., Valenzuela-Polo, V., Reyes-Alcalde, M.I., Manzaneda, A.J., Rascón, A.J., García Reyes, J.F., Salazar García, R., Palomares Rius, J.E., Lacasa, E., Rodrigo, M.A. & Saez, C. (2026). Oxidative technologies for olive grove soils: Impacts of eletrogenerated H2O2 and O3 on persticide degradation and ecosystem health. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 14(2), Article 121576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.121576

Rahmanian, S., Eisenhauer, N., Huang, Y., Hejda, M., Pyšek, P, Feilhauer, H., Eldridge, D.J., Gross, N., Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Y., Saiz, H., … Maestre, F.T. (2026). Abiotic and biotic controls of non-native perennial plant success in drylands. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 10, 523-535. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02971-6

Ruiz-Carrasco, B., Pareja-Sánchez., E., Liétor, J., Vera, D., Fernández-Lobato, L., & García-Ruiz, R. (2026). Field-based assessment of carbon farming practices in Mediterranean olive groves: Emission reductions and sequestration outcomes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 543, Article 147562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2026.147562

2025

Alcántara, J.M., Verdú, M., Garrido, J.L., Montesinos-Navarro, A., Aizen, M.A., Alifriqui, M., Allen, D., Al-Namazi, A.A., Armas, C., Bastida, J.M., Bellido, T., Paterno, G.B., Briceño, H., Camargo de Oliveira, R.A., Campoy, J.G., Chaieb, G., Chu, C., Constantinou, E., Delalandre, L., Duarte, M., … Zamora, R. (2025). Key concepts and a world-wide look at plant recruitment networks. Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 100(3), 1127–1151. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.13177

Borrelli, P., Matthews, F., Saggau, P., Manzaneda, A.J., Panagos, P., Kaffas, K., & Alewell, C. (2025). Unsustainably losing ground. Nature sustainability, 8, 986-989. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01628-3

Cordovilla, M.D.P., Rharrabti, Y., & El Yamani, M. (2025). Drought-Induced Changes in Morphology and Phenology of Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.). Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 14(23), Article 3624. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233624

Fernández-García, A., Moreno-González, D., Rascón, A.J., Martínez-Piernas, A.B., Gilbert-López, B., Manzaneda, A.J., & García-Reyes, J.F. (2025). Rugged LC-MS/MS method for the large-scale monitoring of glyphosate and other highly polar pesticides in soils across European Union olive orchards. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 385, Article 127073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127073

Friji, C., Boubakri, H., Martínez, L.M., Ruiz Torres, L., Manzaneda, A.J., & Gandour, M. (2025). Identification and expression analysis of phosphate transporter (PHT) genes in Brachypodium distachyon in response to phosphorus deficiency. Protoplasma, 262, 515-529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-024-02014-0

Korte, M.K., Manzaneda, A.J., Martinez, L.M., Patterson, T.A., Etienne, R.S., Van de Zande, L., & Smit, C. (2025). The effect of local perennial plants on the occurrence and traits of the Brachypodium distachyon complex along an aridity gradient. Plant Ecology, 226, 485–495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-025-01508-y

Liétor, J., Jowers, M.J., Jódar, P.A., Galán-Luque, I., & Tudela, A.R. (2025). Searching for the elusive imposter land snails. Description and geographical delimitation of two cryptic Iberus subspecies (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicidae) in southern Spain. Ruthenica, Russian Malacological Journal, 35(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.35885/ruthenica.2025.35(1).1

Martínez, L.M., Fernández-Ocaña, A.M., Rey, P.J., & Manzaneda, A.J. (2025). Over-expression of the Brachypodium dehydrin gene, BdDHN3, enhances drought tolerance in Brachypodium distachyon (Poaceae). Plant Physiology Reports, 30, 942-950. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-025-00905-9

Pareja Sánchez, E., García-Moreno, A.J., Martínez-García, M., Pérez-Colodrero, L., García-Zapata, L., & García-Ruiz, R. (2025). Bio-based solvents for polyphenol recovery: Transforming olive mill wastewater into high-value resources. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 71, Article 107238.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107238

Pareja Sánchez, E., García-Moreno, A.J., Martínez-García, M., Pérez-Colodrero, L., García-Zapata, L., & García-Ruiz, R. (2025). Optimizing alperujo composting strategies for acceleration and quality enhancement. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 201, Article 106076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2025.106076

Pareja-Sánchez, E., García-Ruiz, R., Sanchez, G., Cerdá, X., Angulo, E., Soriguer, R.C., & Cobos, J. (2025). Soil Respiration in Traditional Mediterranean Olive Groves: Seasonal Dynamics, Spatial Variability, and Controlling Factors. Agriculture, 15(24), Article 2610. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15242610

Romero-Márquez, J.M., Navarro-Hortal, M.D., Varela-López, A., Calderón-Iglesias, R., Puentes, J.G., Giampieri, F., Battino, M., Sánchez-González, C., Xiao, J., García Ruiz, R., Sánchez, S., Forber-Hernández, T.Y., & Quiles, J.L. (2025). Olive leaf extracts with high, medium, or low bioactive compounds content differentially modulate Alzheimer’s disease via redox Biology. Food Frontiers, 6(3), 1513-1529. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.70013

Ruiz-Cátedra, G., Calero, J., Domouso, P., & García-Ruiz, R. (2025). Do management practices which enhance nature-based processes improve soil health in olive groves? Geoderma, 457, Article 117276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117276

Ruiz-Torres, L., Martínez, L.M., Contreras-Moreira, B., Rey, P.J., & Manzaneda, A.J. (2025). Natural variation of response to glyphosate in Sinapis alba (Brassicaceae): Physiological effects, shikimate accumulation and genetic mechanisms. Weed Research, 65(5), Article e70027. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.70027

Smit, I.C., Le Roux, P.C., Soliveres, S., Gross, N., Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Y., Saiz, H., Abedi, M., Ahumada, R., Arroyo, A.I., Asensio, S., … Maestre, F.T. (2025). Plant trait matching occurs in facilitative interactions across global drylands. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 34, Article E70158.  https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.70158

2024

Abdelhamid, S., Araouki, A., Chehab, H., & Garcia-Ruiz, R. (2024). Discriminating the capabilities and efficiencies of RAPD, ISSR and SSR markers in the assessement of the genetic variation in cultivated Tunisian olives. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 9(3), 1765-1775. https://doi.org/10.1007/S41207-024-00520-4

Abdelhamid, S., Omri, A., Araouki, A., Chehab, H., Garcia-Ruiz, R., & Ashrafi, H. (2024). Application of RAPD and ISSR markers tools for commercial monovarietal Tunisian extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) authenticity and traceability. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. https://doi.org/10.1007/S41207-024-00614-Z

Aslam, M.M., Waseem, M., Weifeng, X., & Qamar, M.T.U. (2022). Identification and expression analysis of phosphate transporter (PHT) gene family in Lupinus albus cluster root under phosphorus stress. International journal of biological macromolecules, 205, 772–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.085  

Domouso, P., Calero, J., Ruiz-Cátedra, G., & García-Ruiz, R. (2024). Nitrogen recycling across a spectrum of fertilization strategies: an assessment in olive groves. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 372. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2024.109096

Domouso, P., Pareja-Sánchez, E., Calero, J., & García-Ruiz, R. (2024). Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization of Common Organic Amendments in Olive Grove Soils. Agriculture, 14(11), Article 1923. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14111923

Elhaddad, F., González, J.A.C., Abdelhamid, S., Garcia-Ruiz, R., & Chehab, H. (2024). Alternative Cover Crops and Soil Management Practices Modified the Macronutrients, Enzymes Activities, and Soil Microbial Diversity of Rainfed Olive Orchards (cv. Chetoui) under Mediterranean Conditions in Tunisia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16135329  

El Yamani, M., & Cordovilla, M.D.P. (2024). Tolerance Mechanisms of Olive Tree (Olea europaea) under Saline Conditions. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 13(15), Article 2094. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13152094  

Fernández-Lobato, L., Ruiz-Carrasco, B., Tostado-Véliz, M., Jurado, F., & Vera, D. (2024). Environmental impact of the most representative Spanish olive oil farming systems: A life cycle assessment study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 442. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2024.141169

Grigoletto, I., García Salas, P., Valli, E., Bendini, A., Ferioli, F., Pasini, F., Sánchez Villasclaras, S., García-Ruiz, R., & Gallina Toschi, T. (2024). HPLC-MS/MS Phenolic Characterization of Olive Pomace Extracts Obtained Using an Innovative Mechanical Approach. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 13(2), Article 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13020285

Gross, N., Maestre, F.T., Liancourt, P., Berdugo, M., Martin, R., Gozalo, B., Ochoa, V., Delgado-Baquerizo, M., Maire, V., Saiz, H., Soliveres, S., Valencia, E., Eldridge, D.J., Guirado, E., Jabot, F., Asensio, S., Gaitán, J.J., García-Gómez, M., Martínez, P., Martínez-Valderrama, J., … Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Y. (2024). Unforeseen plant phenotypic diversity in a dry and grazed world. Nature, 632(8026), 808–814. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07731-3  

Guzmán, G.I., Aguilera, E., Carranza-Gallego, G., & Alonso, A.M. (2024). Joint analysis of land, carbon and nitrogen reveals diverging trends in the sustainability of organic crops in Spain. The Science of The Total Environment, 949(14), Article 174859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174859

Nkebiwe, P.M., Stevens Lekfeldt, J.D., Symanczik, S., Thonar, C., Mäder, P., Bar-Tal, A., Halpern, M., Biró, B., Bradáčová, K., Caniullan, P.C., Choudhary, K.K., Cozzolino, V., Di Stasio, E., Dobczinski, S., Geistlinger, J., Lüthi, A., Gómez-Muñoz, B., Kandeler, E., Kolberg, F., Kotroczó, Z., … de Neergaard, A. (2024). Effectiveness of bio-effectors on maize, wheat and tomato performance and phosphorus acquisition from greenhouse to field scales in Europe and Israel: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in plant science, 15, Article 1333249. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1333249  

Pareja-Sánchez, E., Calero, J., & García-Ruiz, R. (2024). Does spontaneous cover crop increase the stocks of soil organic carbon and nitrogen in commercial olive orchard? Soil and Tillage Research, 244, Article 106237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2024.10623

Pareja-Sánchez, E., Domouso, P., Gómez-Muñoz, B., Heras-Linares, M.T., & García-Ruíz, R. (2024). Conservation Practices Boost Soil-Protected Organic Carbon Stocks in Olive Orchards. Agriculture (Switzerland), 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/AGRICULTURE14081354  

Romero-Márquez, J.M., Navarro-Hortal, M.D., Forbes-Hernández, T.Y., Varela-López, A., Puentes, J.G., Sánchez-González, C., Sumalla-Cano, S., Battino, M., García-Ruiz, R., Sánchez, S., & Quiles, J.L. (2024). Effect of olive leaf phytochemicals on the anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-cyclooxygenase-2 and ferric reducing antioxidant capacity. Food chemistry, 444, Article 138516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138516

Sánchez-Osorio, I., López-Pantoja, G., Tapias, R., Pareja-Sánchez, E., & Domínguez, L. (2024). Physiological Activity of Quercus suber with a High Presence of Cerambyx welensii. Forests, 15(2), Article 282. https://doi.org/10.3390/f15020282  

2023

Calero, J., García-Ruiz, R., Torrús-Castillo, M., Vicente-Vicente, J.L., & Martín-García, J.M. (2023). Role of clay mineralogy in the stabilization of soil organic carbon in olive groves under contrasted soil management. Minerals, 13(1), Artículo 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/min13010060

Carrión-Paladines, V., Fries, A., Hinojosa, M.B., Oña, A., Álvarez, L.J., Benítez, A., Rodríguez, F.L., & García-Ruiz, R. (2023). Effects of low-severity fire on soil physico-chemical properties in an andean páramo in southern ecuador. Fire, 6(12), Artículo 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6120447 

Cordovilla, M.P., Aparicio, C., Melendo, M., & Bueno, M. (2023). Exogenous application of indol-3-acetic acid and salicylic acid improves tolerance to salt stress in Olive Plantlets (Olea europaea L. Cultivar Picual) in growth chamber environments. Agronomy, 13(3), Artículo 647. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030647 

De Luca, A.I., Iofrida, N., González de Molina, M., Spada, E., Domouso, P., Falcone, G., Gulisano, G., & García Ruiz, R. (2023). A methodological proposal of the sustainolive international research project to drive mediterranean olive ecosystems toward sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7, Artículo 1207972. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1207972

González Ruiz, R., Gómez Guzmán, J.A., Martínez Rojas, M., García Fuentes, A., Cordovilla, M.P., Sainz Pérez, M., Sánchez Solana, A.M., Carlos Hervás, J., & Rodríguez Lizana, A. (2023). The influence of mixed green covers, a new trend in organic olive growing, on the efficiency of predatory insects. Agriculture (Switerland), 13(4), Artículo 785. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040785 

Kaniewski, D., Marriner, N., Morhange, C., Khater, C., Terral, J-F., Besnard, G., Otto, T., Luce, F., Couillebault, Q., Tsitsou, L., Pourkerman, M., & Cheddadi, R. (2023). Climate change threatens olive oil production in the Levant. Nature plants, 9, 219-227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-022-01339-z

Romero-Márquez, J.M., Navarro-Hortal, M.D., Forbes-Hernández, T.Y., Varela-López, A., Puentes, J.G., Pino-García, R., Sánchez-González, C., Elio, I., Battino, M., García, R., Sánchez, S., & Quiles, J.L. (2023). Exploring the antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory potential of olive leaf extracts from Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. Antioxidants, 12(8), Artículo 1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12081538

Torrús-Castillo, M., Calero, J., & García-Ruiz, R. (2023). Does olive cultivation sequester carbon?: Carbon balance along a C input gradient. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 358, Artículo 108707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2023.108707 

Verdú, M., Garrido, J.L., Alcántara, J.M., Montesinos-Navarro, A., Aguilar, S., Aizen, M.A., Al-Namazi, A.A., Alifriqui, M., Allen, D., Anderson-Teixeira, K.J., Armas, C., Bastida, J.M., Bellido, T., Bonanomi, G., Paterno, G.B., Briceño, H., de Oliveira, R.A.C., Campoy, J.G., Chaieb, G., Chu, C., … Zamora, R. (2023). RecruitNet: A global database of plant recruitment networks. Ecology, 104(2), Artículo e3923. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3923

OLIve tree for Verified Emission Reduction generation (OLIVER)

Funding entity: European Union, LIFE Programme.

Reference: LIFE22-CCM-IT-LIFE-OLIVER/101114119

Principal researchers: Roberto García Ruiz (INUO) y David Vera Candeas

Start year: 2023

Budget: €140,834.09 €

Climate Smart Management for Resilient European Cropping Systems  (Climate Cropping)

Funding entity: European Union, EJP Soil 2022. 

Reference: 21

Coordinator: Magdalena Necpalova (University College Dublin). 

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruiz

Start year: 2023

Budget: €183,920.00 

'Estudio de balances de nutrientes en olivares andaluces: evaluación de prácticas de manejo que promueven procesos basados en la naturaleza y el cierre de los ciclos de nutrientes (NUTRIOLIVAR)'

Funding entity: 'Programa Operativo FEDER Andalucía 2021-2027'.

Reference: Talento UJA.  M.1.B.A TA_000080

Principal researcher: Evangelina Pareja (INUO)

Start year: 2024

Budget: €111,940.00 €

'Certificación de créditos de carbono del Olivar Tradicional (ABSORCARBOLIVO I)'

Funding entity: 'Grupos Operativos de la Asociación Europea de Innovación (AEI) en el marco del Programa de Desarrollo Rural de Andalucía 2014-2022'. 

Principal researchers: Roberto García Ruiz y  Francisco Ramón Feito Higueruela (INUO)

Start year: 2024

Budget: €130,677.27 

'Validación de una metodología innovadora para rentabilizar prácticas de acumulación del carbono en el olivar (C-OLIVAR)'

Funding entity: 'Grupos Operativos de la Asociación Europea de Innovación (AEI) en el marco del Programa de Desarrollo Rural de Andalucía 2014-2022'. 

Reference: GOPO-SE-23-0006

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruiz (INUO)

Start year: 2023

Budget: €78,200.00 

The soil biodiversity and functionality of Mediterranean olive groves: A holistic analysis of the influence of land management on olive oil quality and safety (SOIL O-LIVE)

Funding entity: European union, HORIZON-MISS-2021-SOIL-02-03 - Linking soil health to nutritional and safe food, Grant agreement

Reference: 101091255

Principal researcher and coordinator: Antonio Manzaneda Ávila

Start year: 2023

Budget: €6,988,660.00

Quantifying the impact of Climate Change on the implementation and functionality of groundcovers in olive groves.’ Rasgos Funcionales'

Funding entity: 'Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación'.

Reference: TED2021-131496B-C21

Principal researchers: Antonio J. Manzaneda (INUO) y Ana M. Fernández

Start year: 2022

Budget: €101,200.00 

'Impulsando la transición ecológica: sostenibilidad ambiental de los sistemas agroecológicos a escala de finca y cadena alimentaria' (Agroescaling)

Funding entity: 'Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación'.

Reference: TED2021-130333B-C31

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruiz

Start year: 2022

Budget: €115,000.00 

'Cálculo de huella de carbono de compostaje de Alperujo, ensayo demostrativo de compostaje con microorganismos y centro de formación agrícola para la comarca de Sierra Mágina'

Funding entity: 'Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y Reto Demográfico (MITECO)'.

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruíz

Start year: 2023

Novel approaches to promote the sustainability of Olive groves in the Mediterranean (SUSTAINOLIVE)       Funding entity: PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area). Cofinanciado con fondos Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union

Reference: Farming System 9

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruiz      

Start year: 2019

Budget: €2,032,690.17 

'El nexo entre agua y producción agraria y su rol en la sostenibilidad de los agroecosistemas andaluces en un contexto de cambio climático y deterioro ambiental. Un análisis metabólico (AGUAMET)'

Funding entity: 'Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014-2020'

Reference: PY20_00822 202099905116691

Principal researcher: Manuel González de Molina Navarro

Start year: 2022

Budget: €40,450.00 

'BIOLIVAR. Monitorización, optimización y valorización del capital natural en el cultivo del olivar en producción integrada en Andalucía'

Funding entity: 'Ayudas al funcionamiento de Grupos Operativos de la Asociación Europea de Innovación'.

Reference: GOPO-SE-20-0002

Principal researcher: José Alfonso Gómez Calero

Start year: 2021

Budget: €253,495.00

'Avance multidisciplinar en la gestión y conocimiento de las cubiertas de restos de poda en olivar a escala árbol, parcela y explotación'

Funding entity: 'Proyectos I+D+i FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020'

Reference: 1380979

Principal researcher: Antonio Rodríguez Lizana

Start year: 2021

Budget: €80,000.00

'Evaluando la deuda de recuperación de servicios ecosistémicos provistos por la fauna en cultivos permanentes: efecto de la intensificación agrícola y el paisaje en olivares'

Funding entity: 'Concesión de ayudas a «Proyectos de I+D+i», en el marco del Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema de I+D+i y del Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020'

Reference: PID2019-108332GB-I00

Principal researcher: Pedro Rey Zamora

Start year: 2020

Budget: €199,650.00 

'Reservas de carbono inorgánico y orgánico en sistemas perennes semiáridos; el papel de la cubierta vegetal'

Funding entity: 'Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014-2020'

Principal researcher: Roberto García Ruíz

Start year: 2019

Budget: €78,340.00 

'Modelo de Restauración Forestal para mitigar los efectos del cambio climático: mejora de la resilencia de los ecosistemas agrícolas y forestales del corredor seco de Guatemala'

Funding entity: A'gencia Andaluza de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo'

Principal researcher: Antonio García Fuentes

Start year: 2018

Budget: €34,750.00 

'Síntesis de compuestos nitrogenados y estudio de su actividad frente a hongos patógenos de especial incidencia en la provincia de Jáen'

Funding entity:  'Instituto de Estudios Giennenses (Diputación provincial de Jaén)'

Principal researcher: María del Pilar Cordovilla Palomares

Start year: 2018

Budget: €8,000.00

Advice towards the organic olive grove

Restoration and rehabilitation of olive grove soils

Dissemination and management of conferences