Heroic viticulture: Environmental and socioeconomic challenges of unique heritage landscapes

Steep-slope agricultural landscapes cover a small fraction of global areas.1Wang W. Pijl A. Tarolli P. Future climate-zone shifts are threatening steep-slope agriculture.Nat. Food. 2022; 3: 193-196https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-021-00454-yCrossref Scopus (18) Google Scholar Despite the limited coverage, they relevant for high-quality food and wine production, history, landscape value. On steep slopes, centuries effort tradition have created unique cultural heritage to be preserved. Here, peculiar traditional local knowledge soil water conservation combined with agronomic practices (e.g., dry-stone wall terracing) has been handed down generations. However, such fragile under threat. “On preserved.” Viticulture is one most systems landscapes. In Europe, we can find some famous sites popular wines Port wine, Prosecco, Passito). becomes “heroic” when practiced extreme climatic, geomorphologic, geographical conditions. Farmers considered heroes because deal this “adverse” environment every day, typically by purely manual operations without use mechanized tools. Landscapes characterized heroic viticulture recognized protected United Nations, being inserted in Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites Food Agriculture (FAO) Globally Important Agricultural Systems (GIAHS). virtuous combination practice, networks restaurants, green tourism, even religion art (if churches on site) an optimal condition circular economy socioeconomic sustainability. Nevertheless, these threat changing climate. The increased frequency weather extremes driven climate change accelerates degradation. Intense localized rainfall events, if solutions not optimally adopted, quickly trigger slope failures widespread erosion processes cultivated hillslopes. addition, prolonged droughts, as observed Europe 2022,2Straffelini E. Climate Change-induced Aridity affecting Northeast Italy.Agric. Syst. 2023; 208: 103647https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103647Crossref (1) could pose another criticality: sustainable resources management slopes. Managing irrigation slopes greater than 50% (in situations) difficult; it costs requires very efficient strategy. There is, however, second criticality, which our society. last half past century rural exodus gradual abandonment mountain new generation attracted continue working conditions economic benefits insignificant. technological modernization society “degrading” background previous generation. Because above critical threats, there urgent need establish actions keep people alive. risk only losing product or seeing change, negatively impacting economy. entire communities' history their roots. often finds ideal hillsides mountainsides. many reasons, example, solar radiation, correct day-night temperature fluctuation (essential grape ripening), ventilation, proper drainage. All factors contribute producing excellent internationally wines. Within family viticulture, narrow niche called "heroic viticulture". As already suggested nomenclature, category particularly complex environmental conditions, mainly due high gradients specific geomorphic features. CERVIM (Center Research, Studies, Enhancement Mountain Viticulture) speaks at least following observed: 1) 30 percent; 2) altitude 500 m sea level; 3) vines grown terraces; 4) vineyards located islands.3Center - CERVIMCollective Trademark "Cervim – Heroic Viticulture".https://www.cervim.org/en/trademarkDate: 2023Google home numerous and, more general, vineyards. particular, Italy lands from north south. Among those Prosecco Hills Conegliano Valdobbiadene (“Colline del di e Valdobbiadene” UNESCO Site), "Soave Traditional Vineyards" (a FAO site), Pantelleria Island (the practice “vite ad alberello” head-trained bush inscribed Intangible Humanity). Other notable examples Portuguese Alto Douro region (UNESCO landscape; production area) Spanish Canary Islands. result experience growing production. survival crops depends successfully implementing targeted interventions manage soil, providers vital ecosystem services. terraces system landscapes, primarily needed make areas cultivable. They also crucial regulating flow intense rainfall, increasing plant availability, limiting (valuable) organic matter leaching, mitigating hydrogeological risk. great required survive reinforces human-environment connection. This why uniquenesses primary historical social importance, where still determining element. Recognizing value first step designing protection maintenance strategies. point view. areas, market generated significantly drive economy, discouraging land communities. Farming strong determination equilibrium natural environment, all its surface. Working means practicing traditional, difficult support mechanization accessibility fields. Achieving balance preparing practices. It constant care, form continuous maintenance, prevent consequences phenomena causing Slope steepness morphological parameter that determines formation surface runoff development hillsides. capable accumulating along preferential lines. If occurs uncontrolled appropriately sized drainage network), overland cause erosion, terrace collapse, landslide formation.4Tarolli Straffelini Hilly Mountainous Landscapes: Threats, Monitoring Sustainable Management.Geogr. Sustain. 2020; 1: 70-76https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2020.03.003Crossref (58) severely damage vineyard functionality consequently requiring economical human efforts restoration. other hand, geology represents addressed quality landscape’s uniqueness. concept “terroir”, widely used highly influenced this. Indeed, wine-growing physical features (geology properties, but aspects, climate) give characteristics recognizable consumer. Wine marketable immersive produced. Calcareous soils white elegant low tannins. contrast, clay retain matter, making structured, thus red An interesting further example volcanic soils. lava, ash, basaltic deposits. According specialists, help characterize intensity structure, impossible Indeed,5Marques R. Prudêncio M.I. Abreu M.M. Russo D. Marques J.G. Rocha F. Chemical characterization incipient Fogo (Cape Verde).Environ. Monit. Assess. 2019; 191: 128https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7267-9Crossref (7) well-drained since tends infiltrate quickly. Remarkable islands Canary, Madeira, Pantelleria), volcanoes Etna), ancient activities occurred Soave). connection between value, heritage, terroir, At present, two major challenges facing: intensification seriously threatens agriculture.1Wang events occurring (especially affected anthropogenic roads terraces) severe degradation mass movements. should adequately designed maintained excessive runoff, avoiding concentration paths roads. drought catastrophic 20222Straffelini Scholar) create unprecedented criticalities suitable management. Irrigating difficult. Pumping plain delivering tanks through trucks economically environmentally unsustainable. Excessive groundwater displacement wells similarly decrease table impact freshwater storage scarcity rainwater harvesting help. Microwater offer effective solutions. impact, easy design. path, collect rain events; then reused emergency contributing change-resilient system.6Wang viticulture: effectiveness micro-water improving resilience extremes.Agric. Water Manag. 286: 108398https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108398Crossref (0) wetlands refugees birds amphibians, biodiversity enrichment. Concerning discussion complex, adaptation strategies involve policymakers governments. having farm significant, high. will worsened continues increase. First, normative view, able farms. Ad-hoc subsidies welcomed, necessary adopt clear non-structural measures guidelines protect realities offering competitive marketing networking (for wines, happening). Second, pay attention education. Educating about reality preserve live approach agriculture negative fact. far mere bottle monoculture. hedges tree buffer zones (inside farm) agriculture. When facing multifaceted issues like unsustainable practices, essential take integrated multidisciplinary approach. key success lies combining winemakers innovation scientific rigor, communication bring world closer farmers consumers. A defining projects stakeholder involvement levels: involved fieldwork technicians who care vineyards, finished product. latter intended experience. lead component attractive Moreover, consumers becoming increasingly aware different investment safe territory. Technically, problems diverse grounded three pillars: identifying sustainability cultivation, monitoring. Each benefit work research mutualistic relationship each actor compensates possible shortcomings other. technology identify landslides, general. remote platforms drones equipped types payloads (such laser scanners cameras photogrammetry) allows high-resolution 3D reconstruction surfaces. combine input data geomorphological hydrological analyses, detailed maps show hydrogeologic implement mitigation Nature-based (NBSs) strongly recommended promote sustainably facilities, providing services With sensing affordable, methods broad within farms increase farming For guide choice resilient using permanent grass prevents detachment particles) (maintaining carbon content improve retention). implementation case facilities (that size), digital terrain models (DTMs) mitigate drought. Finally, monitoring inspecting observing alarming movements) planning reduce instance, estimate proposed priori, assessing effects network designs. way, closely scientists optimize investments functional, sustainable, landscape—a winning alliance face challenges. authors represent group University Padova, worked few years supported SOiLUTION SYSTEM “Innovative better hilly landscapes”, Programma Sviluppo Rurale per il Veneto 2014–2020 (www.soilutionsystem.com); (2) Padova project “ViTE Vineyard terraced landscapes: understanding constraints management” (DALL_FINAC_P14_02); (3) European Research Council, Advanced Grant TerrACE (ERC-2017-ADG: 787790, 2019–2023; https://www.terrace.no/).