Agrobiodiversity dynamics in a French wine-growing region

• DOI: 10.20870/oeno-one.2022.56.4.5557
• Publication Date: 2022-11-25T07:33:25Z
• Authors: Antoine Doncieux; Olivier Yobrégat; Scott Prudham; Sophie Caillon; Delphine Renard
• Keywords: Agricultural biodiversity; Vineyard; Cash crop

Agrobiodiversity is a promising nature-based solution in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. In wine-growing systems, commercial pressure and varietal regulations have narrowed agrobiodiversity vineyards despite higher diversity being an important buffer against effects climate change. If drivers grape change are well-understood at national to global scales, little known about local, past or anticipated trajectories that drive dynamics depending on growers’ cultural values, practices choices. We combined quantitative agricultural census data qualitative ethnographic approaches characterise changes varieties from 1960 2020 communal vineyard levels French region, decipher highlight drastically changed 60 years, with decline planted area farm number. outline loss richness across both remains high evenness increased geographic scales 2020. Ethnographic field observations emphasize growers account for external (e.g., market changes, regulation policy, technology, environmental), but also values when they choose which plant. Grape was maintained integration as insurance spread production risk, mitigate volatility address environmental uncertainties. Securing livelihoods midst has been major concern over last six decades so. Despite pessimistic future vision shared by most growers, Gaillac region heritage thereby supports adaptation expect factors may play more role selection planting sites under influence pesticide reduction policies. order expand individual initiatives resulting diversified selection, need be better connected stakeholders variety institutional levels.