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Demonstrating functional biodiversity in viticulture landscapes (BioDiVine)
Start date: Sep 15, 2010, End date: Dec 31, 2014 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Background Grape vines provide habitats with unlimited food supply and few natural enemies. Thus they are an ideal breeding ground for pests. As restrictions on phytosanitary products increase, environmentally-sensitive biological pest control methods are growing in importance. Control of pests, diseases and weeds, as well as soil preservation, may be considered at the field scale or at the landscape scale. The latter has gained consideration only recently. Research on functional biodiversity and landscape connectivity demonstrates that new options arise when a landscape approach is used. Over recent decades, many attempts have been made to enhance the quantity and quality of the semi-natural features that are left in the countryside – such as hedges, groves or ground covers – so as to contribute to nature conservation and a better environmental quality and to promote the aesthetic and heritage values of the countryside. Objectives The aim of this LIFE+ Biodiversity project focuses on demonstrating the benefits from strengthening landscape structures as a means to restore and conserve biodiversity in cultivated vineyards. This will be achieved by assessing biodiversity-friendly actions in different European biotopes. Complementary semi-natural spaces will be created in vineyards from seven test sites in three countries (Portugal, Spain and France) covering Atlantic, Mediterranean and Continental regions. The agronomic benefits of using arthropods and fungi biodiversity for viticulture will be tested and evaluated. Results will inform the design of a landscape and ecological action plan intended to effectively combine wine production and biodiversity conservation actions. Expected results: Seven management plans will be developed based on conservation biological control; 175 ha ground cover put in place ; 35 km of hedges put in place; 700 m of low walls restored; Some 40.000 pheromone traps placed; 70 ha of headlands planted; Biodiversity will be closely monitored and should increase on each site by 15-20% for arthropods, by 20% for microbial diversity and by 50% for birds and small mammals.
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