A call toward a consistent terminology of “cover crops” in agroecological literature

Abstract Cover crops (CCs) are increasingly recognized for their multifunctionality in provisioning, regulating, and supporting ecosystem services. CCs are characterized by different functional groups, which deliver distinct benefits, such as N fixation, nutrient scavenging, or pest suppression. Research on CCs has expanded rapidly over recent decades, yet this growth has also been accompanied by significant semantic inconsistencies in the terminology used to describe CCs, including terms such as “green manure,” “catch crops,” “trap crops,” “service plants,” “service crops,” “living mulch,” and “companion plants.” This variability is more than linguistic. It hinders literature searches, biases meta‐analyses, impedes standardization, complicates policy development, and obstructs effective cross‐disciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer. Furthermore, terminological ambiguity creates inefficiencies in research and challenges for educational and algorithmic tools. To address these issues, we argue for harmonization in CC terminology, proposing that the phrase “cover crops” be systematically included in titles, abstracts, or keywords of all CC publications while allowing complementary terms to highlight specific functions of CCs. Greater consistency in language will enhance the clarity, comparability, and impact of CC research, supporting both scientific advancement and practical implementation of CCs in agroecological systems.