Vineyard floor management intensity impacts soil health indicators and plant diversity across South Australian viticultural landscapes

Throughout the last thirty years, major shifts in vineyard floor management have been observed. Challenges initially posed by intensive tillage included high rates of soil erosion and degeneration structure organic matter, which lead viticulturists to depend more heavily on herbicide use as an effective weed control strategy. However, increase persistence toxicity water, soils, grapevines, increasing resistance common weeds; pressure from consumers regulators reduce their is directing a shift towards overall reduction usage. This has led frequent manage vegetation vineyards, while some instances, cultural practices including slashing animal grazing are used solely or conjunction. little known about holistic effects these varying soils biodiversity across landscapes Australia. Thus, comparatively assess environmental impacts different practices, health indicators plant dynamics were seasonally measured mid- under-vine rows at twenty-four sites four native Barossa Valley, Eden McLaren Vale, all located South Australia, where intensities implemented. Vineyard categorised based frequency and/or passes particularly area into Low (no annual passes), Medium (one pass), High (two passes) intensity groups. Findings revealed similarities mid-rows intensities, yet displayed many differences; particular, there species, higher coverage, greater biomass group. Furthermore, decreased, relative richness ruderal species also giving way community mainly comprised slow-growing, perennial Poaceae Fabaceae Low-intensity These differences drove suite responses faster water infiltration, ammonium-N total nitrogen, tendency gravimetric content time sampling. results suggest that after initial period establishing extensive low levels disturbance may contribute positively improving natural ecosystem synergy functionality between plants. Therefore, our findings lend insights how rather than differing ideologies per se, viticultural landscape can be intrinsic supporters agroecosystem resilience under Australian conditions.