Promoting an integrative landscape approach in vineyards for greater resilience in the face of climatic and environmental changes

Grape growers are increasingly interested in finding strategies to enhance vineyard’s long-term productivity while improving the overall ecosystem health. The market for organic wine is also an incentive that encourages some growers to adopt these practices. Using a landscape approach, we will examine how increased native biodiversity in the vineyards and perimeters can contribute to enhancement of ecosystem services (pest management, soil health including soil carbon and organic matter) and thus improve productivity and resilience. The objectives of the project are to: 1) assess the use of native plant species as cover crops in vineyards (including the attraction of beneficials), and 2) assess the influence of perimeters and their biodiversity in reducing climatic and environmental variation and their roles as pest control. The data will be used to inform grape growers on the influence of these parameters on their productivity. Blogs and infographics will be prepared for this purpose.

Faculty Supervisor:

Liette Vasseur

Student:

Partner:

The Organic Council of Ontario

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Wholesale trade

University:

Brock University

Program: