How does biodiversity make a difference in the vineyard? What can producers do to encourage it?
For our biodiversity session, our guest speakers included Dr Erna Hailey Blancquaert of the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, João Raposeira of Tapada de Coelheiros in Portugal, and Josef Maier of Geyerhof in Austria.
What is biodiversity?
Dr Blancquaert explained that biodiversity relates to the connectivity of species within an area, as well as the genetic diversity within that species. This includes plants, animals and even bacteria – a subject increasingly studied but relatively poorly understood in vineyards. She works alongside many producers in the Cape Winelands to explore how to improve the diversity of their vineyards, and given that the region is one of the most important floral kingdoms on the entire planet, it’s a privileged and important position.
Why should producers improve their biodiversity?
Josef Maier, who studied Organic Agriculture at the University of Vienna Soil Sciences before he and his wife took over the family farm, shocked the audience with the statistic that there is 80% less insect biomass in Austria compared to 30 years ago. He blamed intensive agriculture, suggesting that bigger farms, more fertilisers and less use of traditional practices like crop rotation, grazing animals or natural hedges had all played a part.
He sees his family as custodians of the land and says he ‘feels better’ making his own personal impact – but there are also tangible benefits like less soil erosion, a better microclimate for growing grapes and often better yields.
João Raposeira’s aim is to ‘disrupt the monoculture’ in Portugal. He also has proof that his costs before and after they began focusing on biodiversity are the same, but the output now is greatly improved. He also explained that biodiverse vineyards had improved the drought resistance across the board, helping support the crucial process of water management.
So, what can they do?
João has stopped ploughing to improve the biodiversity of his soils; he has shelters for bats who act as natural predators for pests; has reintroduced 1,300 sheep to ‘mob graze’ his forests and has planted olive trees, cork and plenty of other species beyond the vines.
Likewise, Josef reserves 13% of his landholding for biodiversity projects which include plantings of trees and hedgerows, installing ponds and reintroducing livestock. He also heads up a special wine project called Wildwix which he manages in conjunction with another Society producer – Birgit Braunstein.
Both speakers agreed that there is always more that can be done, but that everyone can get started on a small piece of land – even the smallest plots can start to make a difference.
What next?
Both Josef and João are excited to continue experimenting and improving the biodiversity of their own sites and promoting the benefits to other producers.
Dr Blancquaert said she is keen to conduct more further research on the epigenetics of the vine in different environments and proving tangible links between biodiversity and how the plant grows – watch this space.
Want to find out more about our producer seminars? You can read about pruning and water management on our sustainability hub.