Strategies for the enhancement of biodiversity and sustainability of the vineyard landscape: the landscape pattern and the biological balance and the ecological structure

Abstract

The vineyard(s) landscape(s) that are known today, a little everywhere, respond fundamentally to the technical requirements of consumption and markets, and therefore to productive factors. This income requirement, which responds to the productive function of the landscape, has to be reconciled with the other functions associated with the landscape, in particular with the functions of conservation of resources, but also with recreational functions, where aesthetic specificities and tourist dynamics are involved. In order to fulfill this integrated vision associated with the notion of landscape, strategies must be developed on order to promote a landscape pattern that values the biological balance, ecological structure and cultural aspects that can be achieved through landscape design and management. A first strategy is based on the notions of soil suitability and valuation of the main biophysical structures of the landscape in order to determine the agricultural areas and the definition of plots. A second strategy is centered in the design of a landscape structure that guarantees the biophysical requirements of higher hierarchy (above mentioned), and that enhance those of lower hierarchy, which include the small spaces and structures (hedges, wetlands/drainage areas, and / or compensation bands, routes/paths, among others), fundamental to establish a biological, physical and cultural continuity. The objective of this article is to reflect on the principles of design associated to the construction of the productive system associated with the landscape of the vineyard, taking into account a strategy to increase the biodiversity and the sustainability of the landscape, thus contributing to a greater environmental sustainability and valuation of the landscape, where the economic, social, environmental and aesthetic dimensions are integrated. The main characteristics and concepts associated to the practice of organic viticulture are explored, including the principles of the landscape pattern that best suits this agricultural practice and the more accurate plant species. The reflection is supported in some case-studies that illustrate the main issues related with the increase of biodiversity and sustainability of the vineyard landscape.