The Ecosystem Services from Cover Crops resources found on this page include a series of fact sheets, three infographics and one PowerPoint slide set. Together, these resources address the role of cover crops in nutrient management, erosion, infiltration, soil organic matter, supporting wildlife and beneficial insects, and carbon sequestration. They are available for use by educators, farmers and others interested in sharing information about the role of cover crops in protecting water quality.
Cover Crop Facts
Resulting from a synthesis of scientific literature documenting the impacts of cover crops on water quality and soil health, the “Cover Crop Facts” resources provide a brief look at cover crops' impact on soil erosion, water infiltration, nutrient losses and soil organic matter and the consequences for water quality.
10 Ways Cover Crops Enhance Soil Health (PDF)
Cover Crops Improve Soil Conditions and Prevent Pollution (PDF)
Cover Crops at Work: Covering the Soil to Prevent Erosion (PDF)
Cover Crops at Work: Increasing Infiltration (PDF)
Cover Crops at Work: Keeping Nutrients Out of Waterways (PDF)
Cover Crops at Work: Increasing Soil Organic Matter (PDF)
Cover Crops and Carbon Sequestration (PDF)
Impact of Cover Crops on Natural Enemies and Pests (PDF)
Cover Crop Impacts on Soil Invertebrates (PDF)
Cover Crop Impacts on Pollinators (PDF)
Cover Crop Effects on Deer and Other Mammalian Wildlife (PDF)
Cover Crop Effects on Songbirds and Game Birds (PDF)
Cover Crops and Water Quality Slide Set
A template PowerPoint presentation exploring cover crop impacts on water quality. Available for use by educators, farmers and professionals for outreach and educational purposes.
Cover Crops and Water Quality slide set
Cover Crop Infographics
Three infographics providing a glance at the impacts of cover crops on soil erosion and water infiltration, nutrient losses and soil organic matter. Each infographic is available for download as a .png image file or a press-quality PDF for professional printing.
Erosion and infiltration
Download as image (.png)
Nitrogen and phosphorous
Download as image (.png)
Soil organic matter
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