N fixing legume
Carob was long believed to be unable to fix nitrogen, but bacteria thought to belong to the Rhizobium genus have been isolated from carob root nodules (El Idrissi et al., 1996).
Agricultural diversification, afforestation and soil erosion control
The carob tree, being hardy, drought- and salt-tolerant, with low orchard management requirements (which allow part-time farming) is a good candidate for agriculture diversification in semi-arid coastal areas. Carob trees may also be helpful in degraded areas threatened by soil erosion and desertification (Battle et al., 1997).
Other environmental services
Carob trees are used as windbreaks around orchards. Because of their dense foliage, they are also helpful buffers against noise from factories, roads and railways (Battle et al., 1997).