Life-Cycle Assessment of Cover Cropping in Mediterranean super high density fruit tree orchard (CLIMCOVER Project)

This dataset presents the comprehensive results of the CLIMCOVER project, a two-year research initiative evaluating the transition from traditional bare soil management to cover cropping in modern fruit tree cultivation. By integrating agronomic, physicochemical, and high-throughput molecular indicators, the data quantifies the benefits of this agroecological practice for soil health, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem multifunctionality, including detailed site metadata, climatic variables, and agricultural management records. A core component of the study is the assessment of environmental impacts and ecosystem services of provision (ESP) and regulation/maintenance (ESRM) through a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). Following a farm-to-gate approach and ISO 14040-14044 standards, the LCA utilizes the ReCiPe2016 mid-point H methodology—processed via SimaPro—to analyze impact categories such as water consumption, ecotoxicity, and Global Warming Potential (IPCC). Ultimately, this dataset provides a robust framework for orchard management recommendations aimed at preserving soil biodiversity and enhancing carbon sequestration and storage, standardized to a functional unit of 1 kg of product in accordance with UN CPC 21537 and 013 categories.