Contact Dr Michail (Mike) Giannitsopoulos
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 750111
- Email: m.giannitsopoulos@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
- ResearchGate
Areas of expertise
- Computing, Simulation & Modelling
- Digital Agriculture
- Natural Capital
- Soil Resources
Background
Michail holds a BSc in Agriculture and an MSc in Soil Resources Management from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His PhD was carried out at Cranfield and determined the effect of different conservation tillage systems on the agronomic, environmental and economic performance of a wheat and oilseed rape rotation in the UK.
Research opportunities
My research primarily explores the intersections of regenerative agriculture and crop-soil-water interactions. It focuses on sustainable agricultural practices that enhance ecosystem resilience and agricultural productivity by harnessing digital means and implementing innovative solutions. I employ field and/or modelling studies to quantify and monitor/estimate changes of the system under study. I am also passionate about translating scientific research into practical solutions for farmers. My research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting regenerative agriculture as a viable solution for sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.
Current activities
Michail's previous work has focused on bio-economic modelling and whole system valuation of arable, agroforestry and tree-only systems. He was part of the EU AGFORWARD project (www.agforward.eu), working with 26 organisations across 14 countries. Michail has also been involved in the NERC-funded research translation project, where a grassland tool was developed, to be used in learning and decision support with students, advisors and farmers. It described the effect of nitrogen application and cutting intervals on annual yields of green leaf and total dry matter from grass in England and Wales. Michail was also part of the UKRI-Innovate UK funded 'Data-led soil management' project, with the aim to improve tea management on smallholder farms in Kenya. The project brought together past tea modelling work completed by Cranfield University in East Africa, and incorporated nitrogen dynamics in tea simulations. Currently Michail is part of the European project AGROMIX (AGROforestry and MIXed farming systems), with the aim to deliver participatory research to drive the transition to resilient and efficient land use in Europe. He is also part of the BBSRC Prosperity Partnership which looks at "Developing a resilient and regenerative tea production system"
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Žalac H, Burgess P, Graves A, Giannitsopoulos M, Paponja I, .... (2023). Modelling the yield and profitability of intercropped walnut systems in Croatia. Agroforestry Systems, 97(3)
- Smith J, Westaway S, Mullender S, Giannitsopoulos M & Graves A. (2023). Making hedgerows pay their way: the economics of harvesting field boundary hedges for bioenergy. Agroforestry Systems, 97(3)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Burgess PJ, Bell MJ, Richter GM, Topp CFE, .... (2023). Translating and applying a simulation model to enhance understanding of grassland management. Grass and Forage Science, 78(1)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Burgess PJ, Sakrabani R, Holden A, Saini H, .... (2023). Modelling the effects of soil organic content and pH on the yield responses of tea to nitrogen fertilizer. Agricultural Systems, 212(December)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Leinster P, Butler D, Smith M & Rivas Casado M. (2022). Towards the coordinated and fit-for-purpose deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) for flood risk management in England. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua, 71(8)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Burgess PJ, Richter GM, Bell MJ, Topp CFE, .... (2021). Modelling the Interactions of Soils, Climate, and Management for Grass Production in England and Wales. Agronomy, 11(4)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Burgess PJ & Rickson RJ. (2020). Effects of conservation tillage drills on soil quality indicators in a wheat–oilseed rape rotation: organic carbon, earthworms and water‐stable aggregates. Soil Use and Management, 36(1)
- Crous-Duran J, Graves AR, García de Jalón S, Kay S, Tomé M, .... (2020). Quantifying Regulating Ecosystem Services with Increased Tree Densities on European Farmland. Sustainability, 12(16)
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Graves AR, Burgess PJ, Crous-Duran J, Moreno G, .... (2020). Whole system valuation of arable, agroforestry and tree-only systems at three case study sites in Europe. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269
- Giannitsopoulos ML, Burgess PJ & Rickson RJ. (2019). Effects of conservation tillage systems on soil physical changes and crop yields in a wheat–oilseed rape rotation. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 74(3)
- Kay S, Rega C, Moreno G, den Herder M, Palma JHN, .... (2019). Agroforestry creates carbon sinks whilst enhancing the environment in agricultural landscapes in Europe. Land Use Policy, 83
