Favorability Level Analysis of the Sevastopol Region’s Climate for Viticulture

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

After a detailed reading of the manuscript " Favorabiliy Level Analysis of the Sevastopol Region,s Climate for Grapes Growing" the following considerations can be made:

The main aim of this manuscript is to ascertain if it is possible to increase the cultivation of the vineyard in the eastern Crimea, where it seems that there are already around 4,000 hectares of vineyard. For this purpose, a study of the thermal climatic characteristics of the area is carried out applying models that are mainly influence altitude and orientation. The vine's own thermal indexes (Huglin and Winkler) and a Selyaninov hydrothermal index are also studied. Limiting “ecotopes” are signalled due to especially cold temperatures in winter. The study concludes that, considering the forecasts of climate change (mainly temperature increase and lower rainfall), a high percentage of the territory will be useful for growing grapes.

The manuscript will be improved bearing in mind the considerations bellow:

Title:

The title of the manuscript should be improved. In my opinion is not clear.

Material and Methods:

Line 77: Very low yields are deduced from the data provided on existing vineyards (4 Tons / Ha). It would be useful to know the reason for these low yields, as well as the varieties already implanted in the area and their phenology and quality potential…

Line 83:The air temperature data of the Sevastopol region from 1985-2018 are used, but I cannot find these data and above all, the number of meteorological stations consulted, and whether these actual data from existing stations have been used to validate the model. These data, if they exist, should be referred at least as complementary information.

Line 94: The thermal indices used are internationally known and useful for comparing wine growing areas. It would be very interesting to add the freshness of the nights index, which is very interesting for obtaining quality grapes (Tonietto et al., 2012).

Line 102: To establish hydration conditions, the Selyaninov index, unknown for me, is used. Perhaps it would be interesting to use the Drought index that is being used frequently internationally (Tonietto and Carbonneau, 2004).

Results:

Line 124: The average temperature in Sevastopol is 11.1 ºC… very close to the vine cultivation limit. Probably due to the winter cold since it seems that in the vine vegetation season the temperatures are quite good 17.7 ºC (regarding Winkler indices). Despite the forecasts of global warming, it is necessary to be very careful in studying extreme temperatures in winter as it can cause permanent damage to the plantation (perhaps this is the explanation for the low yields in the area).

Line 149: April-September precipitation of 250-350 mm (in the entire area?) Seems adequate to produce quality grapes but, depending on the nature of the soil and the distribution of rainfall, periods of water stress may appear or, in other cases, puddling if the winter precipitations are important. Therefore, it would be very important to have a good soil map for planting recommendations. As indicated below (line 152), there is less rainfall in some areas and if it continues the decreasing trend (-25 mm per year), for adequate yields, the vine may need some irrigation support.

Line 184: The figure presented is unclear, in my opinion the number of "ecotopos" should be reduced.

Line 204: a specific recommendation of varieties for each “Ecotopo” would be interesting; those published by Jones G.V. can be used (https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/gregory_jones/posts/climate-grapes-and-wine). It would even be advisable to think about rootstocks that, in addition to responding to the demands of the soil, can withstand low winter temperatures.

Conclusions:

Line 212: Conclusions: It is worth to avoid speculation and be very cautious with the recommendations.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript titled “Favorability Level Analysis of the Sevastopol Region’s Climate for Grapes Growing” is related to suitability assessment of Sevastopol Region for grape cultivation. Author have used proper tools to evaluate this region and provided important information which could be useful for stakeholders and researchers. The manuscript is well-written and easy to follow. However, there are some issues which should be addressed.

Section 2.2.

Please add information related to the spatial resolution (in conclusion section is described as high-resolution) as this is relevant for climatological studies, particularly for suitability assessment of vinegrowing regions with their complex topography.

Section 3.1.

There are variables as average air temperature during the whole year, growing season, precipitations during the growing period. Please present data from this section in Table format. Furthermore, certain statistical test was performed to analyze trends of aforementioned climate variables. Please add this info in Table as well and describe used statistical test in Materials and Methods section. If possible, add minimum and maximum air temperatures with their trends for the growing season period for studied period (1985-2018) and insert data in the same Table. Minimum and maximum temperatures are also relevant for suitability evaluation of new vinegrowing regions.

Section 3.2

Please present trend analysis for WI, HI and HTC over the period 1985-2018 as a Table. It could be merged with temperature and precipitation variables.

Table 1 Columns Class limits, Area (ha) and Area (%) - Please use commas to separate decimals and check it through the entire manuscript if data are presented consistently (including figures)

Table 1, Page 5 lines 163-170 and Figure 3 – Please use same format for data presenting, for example HI=2,400-2,700 or HI=2400-2700. Please do so for all variables including section 3.1 as well.

Section 3.3

Table 2 – Please use commas to separate decimals

Table 3 – It would be very useful and practical for researchers and grape producers as well if you suggest names of the varieties not only their frost resistance. Please add some.

Minor writing issues:

 Page 1 line 27 - …Vitis vinifera L. …

Page 1 line 33 - …radiation and precipitation) …

Page 7 line 200 - …500-600 m …

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The subject of the study is of interest to the field of viticulture and for providing a better understanding of the climatic features of importance to viticulture in the Sevastopol region. The study needs to address concerns mainly with regards to pointing out if viticulture is a primary focus of agriculture in this region or if this is a proposal to convert this region into one. If viticulture is not the primary focus of this region, then what crops are grown here (if any).

Also, please see additional comments and suggestions provided below to improve the manuscript.

Title: Please change the phase “grapes growing” to viticulture.

Abstract:

Lines 11-12: Climatic conditions determine the harvest and quality of vineyards, their territorial specialization – Please modify this sentence to possibly,

The territorial specialization or the harvest and quality of vineyards are determined by climatic conditions of the region.

Lines 12-14: Viticulture is a promising agricultural sector in the Sevastopol Region, thus the goal is a comprehensive analyze the orographic and climatic conditions and microclimate zoning to optimize the placement of vineyards

Please modify this to Viticulture is a promising avenue in the agricultural sector of Sevastopol region. In this study, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the …

Lines 14-17: Combine the 2 sentences.

Line 19: Please clarify “heat supply and frost resistance”

Line 20: Instead of “Agroclimatic conditions of the Sevastopol..” say something like “Our study indicates that agroclimatic conditions of the Sevastopol..”

Introduction

Line 44-52: Please provide some information on the key findings of each of the studies referenced here.

Lines 55-57: can you elaborate on this statement? What is a “single array” being referenced to here?

Lines 60-62: “Long-term adaptations to climate change include switching to new varieties and placing vineyards in optimal environmental conditions to best utilize the genetic capabilities of each variety.”

Are there key varieties that you have in mind that the growers can switch to? Or is this a more generic call for switch to climate resilient varieties?

Methods”

Lines 76-80: please provide a reference for each of the observations/ data provided here.

Line 88-90: Please provide a brief summary of the mathematical model referenced here in addition to the parameters utilized.

Lines 101-102: You mention that the use of Huglin and Winkler indices used to describe accumulation of heat, as well as to find (?) if a region is suitable for growing certain varieties. Can you please indicate more clearly if there is documentation that provides information on suitability of certain varieties to the Sevastopol region.

Line 105-Please explain very briefly on how the formula was proven reliable.

Results and discussions

Line 112: Do you mean ArcGIS, when you refer to GIS technology?

Lines 165-167- “According to Tonietto и Carbonneau [44], this warm climate (HI+2) has a potential to exceed the heliothermic requirements of varieties, even if these are late varieties, which carries a risk of stress”

This statement needs to be clarified to provide more information on what Tonietto and Carbonneau’s data indicate. Further, clarify what late variteies mean here? Late to bloom, etc? How does this come in play in this context.

Line 169-Provide a summary of what Winkler index means just like you have done for Huglin index and HTC in the previous paragraphs.

Lines 175-176- Please clarify geographic averaging of active air temperature and the usage of Huglin and Winkler indices for adjustment here.

A general comment for all figures in this manuscript- Please translate all labels to English. Also, please improve the resolution of all images, so that the labels are readable in print format as well.

Figure 4- I see that Ecotype 1 (purple) appears along the coast, as well as in some of the northern parts. Are there specific geographic determinants of this ecotype? For example, presence of lakes or other water bodies surrounding it? In this regard, please improve map in Figure 1 to show the presence of water bodies in Sevastopol region.

Conclusions:

Overall the conclusions fit the narrative. It will benefit from addition of the following information;

• What type of grape varieties are currently being grown in the region? Identify or name some varieties. What is the percentage coverage of vineyards in this region? If they are not currently grown here, what occupies most of the agricultural sector in this region.
• What are the implications of your findings for the current growers of grapes in this region? If grapes do not constitute the primary crop, what are the implications of your findings for the primary agricultural crop in this region?

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

change term jeopardize in all text. 

also, vine into maybe vineyards or viticulture. 

Are all the meteo data presented as averaged? 

example :

Figure 3. Agroclimatic indices for the Sevastopol Region over the growing season (April through  September).

As I understand its averaged data? 

some sentences hard to head.

improve material and methods. 

have you used any statistical program? 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear Authors,

Thank you for response to my comments. Here are my further recommendations.

Point 1: The study needs to address concerns mainly with regards to pointing out if viticulture is a primary focus of agriculture in this region or if this is a proposal to convert this region into one. If viticulture is not the primary focus of this region, then what crops are grown here (if any).

Response 1: Viticulture is a promising agricultural sector of the Sevastopol Region. Sevastopol is the oldest wine-growing region in Russia, the history of viticulture and wine-making here is about 2500 years old. Development of viticulture and winemaking is included in the main tasks of The Socioeconomic Development Strategy of the City of Sevastopol. Large wineries are located in the region (for example Inkerman, Zolotaya Balka). Wine tourism is developing in Crimea and Sevastopol.

Please include this information in the introduction section, with appropriate references.

From your answer I surmise that viticulture is not a primary focus of agriculture currently. Can you provide a summary of crops grown in the region? Where does viticulture stand currently in relation to the primary crops grown in the region? This information needs to be incorporated into the introduction.

Point 22: Conclusions: Overall the conclusions fit the narrative. It will benefit from addition of the following information;

• What type of grape varieties are currently being grown in the region? Identify or name some varieties. What is the percentage coverage of vineyards in this region? If they are not currently grown here, what occupies most of the agricultural sector in this region.
• What are the implications of your findings for the current growers of grapes in this region? If grapes do not constitute the primary crop, what are the implications of your findings for the primary agricultural crop in this region?

Response 22: Section conclusions have been improved

The manuscript is missing this information. Please include answers to questions in point 22 in your conclusions section.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx