Improving Functional Biodiversity in Vineyards

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been a considerable expansion of viticultural acreage, even outside the Mediterranean, the native area of Vitis vinifera. The areas with the greatest wine production are also areas of high biodiversity, usually rich in endemisms. The expansion of viticulture has therefore posed serious problems for the maintenance of biodiversity and nature conservation, because pest and pathogen management has given rise to the use of agricultural inputs, including pesticides. Improving functional biodiversity has thus become an increasingly important aim in the development and management of wine grape production and nature conservation. Research has shown that conservation strategies at different spatial scales (from vineyard to landscape) can often increase populations of beneficial insects. This Special Issue will focus on original research articles that highlight the importance of reconciling aspects of wine grape production with those of nature conservation in an ever-expanding agro-ecosystem such as vineyards.

Dr. Daniele Sommaggio
Assoc. Prof. David G. James
Prof. Giovanni Burgio
Guest Editors

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