Effects of vineyard agricultural practices on the diversity of macroinvertebrates

Abstract

In Europe, agriculture represents the dominant land use and there is a substantial part of biodiversity associated with those habitats. Therefore, conservation studies should direct to agriculture fields aiming to minimize the biodiversity losses. Vineyards could play a key role in producing win-win solutions for agriculture and biodiversity conservation, as an entrance point of sustainable practices in agriculture management. This study aims to evaluate the influence of different agriculture practices on macroinvertebrate diversity and in the productivity of the vineyards. Comparing these variables, we hope to determine the most sustainable agriculture practices, to suggest conservation measures to enhance sustainability and improve biodiversity in the vineyards. We are comparing Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera diversity and levels of productivity in three differently managed vineyards: conventional, organic and integrated production with controlled doses of chemicals (optidose). Macroinvertebrates will be sampled by pitfalls and colour plates. Study area is Herdade dos Pinheiros of Fundação Eugénio de Almeida, in Évora (Alentejo, Portugal). We expect to find higher macroinvertebrates diversity where there is less disturbance, as in the organic vineyard. And the contrary for the conventional. Also, we are expecting to find little diversity of Hemiptera when there are higher levels of Coleoptera and Hymenoptera diversity, because that means biological control is acting. Finally, we hope to find the best agriculture measures to enhance sustainability and improve biodiversity in vineyards and surrounding areas.

Effect of Conversion to Organic Farming on Pest and Disease Control in French Vineyards

“…Growers must also take into account practicalities such as weather forecasts when using these products. New decision rules, management indicators, and decision support systems (DSS) are necessary to improve pest and disease management strategies [11,13,18]. Prophylactic measures also require a deeper analysis of the cropping system, increased planning, and more knowledge of the multiple processes occurring in the biological and agricultural system and their interactions [16,19].…”

Intermediate fragmentation surrounding vineyards favours the Coleoptera community within the crop

“…Therefore, the spatial scale used for the landscape quantification (i.e., distance from the crop) can determine the perceived effect of landscape on biodiversity (Whittaker et al, 2005). For example, some studies found that the abundance and diversity of beneficial arthropods within vineyard ecosystems are positively influenced by the large‐scale habitat heterogeneity (Franin et al, 2016; Pérez‐Bote & Romero, 2012; Ramos et al, 2019).…”

“…Despite the increment of investigation in the last decades about biodiversity patterns and ecosystem services in vineyards (Paiola et al, 2020; Ramos et al, 2019), and the recognized role of Coleoptera as an important group of insects in this crop (e.g., Caprio et al, 2015; Geldenhuys et al, 2021; Jiménez‐García et al, 2019; Sáenz‐Romo et al, 2019; Thomson & Hoffmann, 2009; Thomson & Hoffmann, 2013), the knowledge about this group in Portuguese vineyards is still deficient. In Portugal, published data about Coleoptera mainly focus on the Demarcated Region of Douro and mostly on the ground beetle's community of vineyards (Carlos et al, 2019; Gonçalves et al, 2019; Sharma et al, 2018) or Coleoptera in other crops, such as olives, almonds, chestnuts or citrus (Benhadi‐Marín et al, 2011; Magro & Hemptinne, 1999; Santos et al, 2012).…”