Search Results (93)

The Balaton region is Hungary’s most important recreational area, known for Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake and its traditional vineyard and horticultural landscapes. Since 1990, vineyard and orchard abandonment and intensified shoreline urbanization have increasingly threatened both landscape character and ecological balance. This study analyses land-use changes in the Balaton hinterland and evaluates the effectiveness of regional land-use regulation between 1990 and 2018, with a focus on the 2000 Balaton Law (BKÜRT), which sought to preserve traditional land uses by permitting construction only where at least 80% of vineyard parcels remained cultivated. Spatial–temporal analysis was based on CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data from 1990 to 2018, supplemented by change layers from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service. The CORINE Land Cover classification is a three-level hierarchical system (5 Level-1 groups, 15 Level-2 classes, and 44 Level-3 classes) developed by the EEA to provide standardized, satellite-based land cover information across Europe. Land cover was aggregated into major categories (using Level-1 and Level-2 classes) relevant to the Hungarian landscape. To address CLC limitations related to representing vineyards as relatively homogeneous units despite substantial differences in the density and scale of built structures, detailed case studies were conducted in three C1 vineyard zones—Alsóörs, Paloznak, and Szentantalfa—using historical aerial photographs, Google Earth imagery, and the Hungarian Ecosystem Map (NÖSZTÉP). Despite the restrictive regulatory framework, the CLC database showed that the share of vineyards in the vineyard regulation zone (C-1, C-2) decreased between 1990 and 2018 from 45.4% to 35.8% (the share of gardens and fruit plantations had changed from 9.7% to 15.5%). In the whole Balaton region, there was an approximately 18% decline in vineyard areas. Considering the M-2 horticultural zone, the garden coverage increased from 18.9% in 1990 (17.7% in 2000) to 30.5% (share of vineyards changed from 54.3% (54.6% in 2000) to 38.8%). At the regional level, gardens and fruit plantations had a smaller decrease (3.2%). Although overall trends were more favorable than at the national level, regulatory measures proved insufficient to prevent the conversion of vineyards and orchards in sensitive areas, particularly on slopes overlooking the lake, in proximity to tourist hubs, and in areas exposed to strong development pressure. By 2018, the C1 zone had expanded spatially but became less targeted, as the proportion of vineyards within it decreased. Boundary refinements failed to substantially improve regulatory precision or effectiveness. The case studies reveal a gradient of regulatory strictness reflecting differing landscape protection priorities and stages of vineyard transformation, with Alsóörs responding to long-standing, partly irreversible changes while attempting to slow further landscape alteration. To counter ongoing negative trends, more targeted and enforceable regulations are required, including a clearer separation of cultivated and recreational land uses, a maximum building size of 80 m² for recreational properties, and a reassessment of vineyard zone boundaries to better reflect active cultivation and protect sensitive landscapes. Full article

The Santorini volcano in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc is of great scientific importance. Knowledge of historical eruptions is valuable for better understanding the volcanic cycle and for improved hazard assessments. One of the little-known historical eruptions occurred either in 1570 or in 1573 or from 1570 to 1573 CE. We bring to light a very little-known but reliable Greek manuscript dated in 1588 CE which improves our knowledge about this eruption. The manuscript documents that the eruption occurred in 1572 and took place within the sea caldera between Santorini and Palaia Kameni. It makes it clear that “fire, smoke, and stones” were coming out between the two islands and a new volcanic island named Mikri Kameni was born. This landscape has been verified by independent maps of the 17th and 18th centuries. The floating pumice was transported by the sea as far as to Thessaloniki and Constantinople. Also, we learn a lot about the consequences of the eruption: (1) smoke and heat destroyed the vineyards and the planting season on Santorini, i.e., spring–summer, (2) it is likely that sulfurous gases were released, and (3) the residents of Santorini were forced to move to nearby islands. The duration of the eruption was ~1 year, but the fire and smoke disappeared suddenly. The Volcanic Explosivity Index of the eruption was estimated to be as high as 3. Full article

Climate change is expected to negatively impact agricultural production, leading to phenological and metabolic changes, increased water demands, diminished yields, and changed organoleptic characteristics, restricting the positive geographic productivity potential. As an adaptive strategy, agriculture in mountainous regions has gained prominence despite the fact that it entails new challenges. Indeed, mountain-specific conditions and limitations need to be considered, compared to the traditional productive regions. Consequently, there is a lack of information about the most suitable locations because the new conditions and limitations need to be accounted for. This study provides a crop suitability assessment approach to be used in mountainous regions where data about crop yield or development is scarce or nonexistent. Specifically, we evaluated the suitability of vineyards and apple orchards in the southern Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees. Using Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques, integrated with fuzzy logic and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we combined traditional climatic, soil, and topographic indicators with factors relevant to mountainous regions. Our results indicated that the most suitable areas were primarily in lower basins and sunny hillsides, with smaller water needs. Vineyards would benefit from a very low risk of late spring frosts and elevated solar radiation, whereas apple orchards from a reduced risk of hailstorms, a very low risk of late spring frosts, and mild slopes. The fuzzy membership functions combined with the AHP facilitated the integration of indicators, effectively identifying areas with high potential for crop development. This approach contributes to landscape management and planning by offering a modifiable tool for assessing crop suitability in mountainous regions. Full article

The Central Valley of California provides critical wintering habitat for Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis), which rely on wetlands, grasslands, and grain crops to meet their energetic needs. However, temporary row crops that support Sandhill Cranes and other wintering birds are ostensibly being replaced by permanent woody crops, which offer little value for wetland and grassland-dependent species. To better understand how landcover changes may be affecting habitat availability for these wintering cranes, we analyzed landcover trends within priority crane wintering areas from 2008 to 2023. We employed a mixed-methods approach that allowed us to describe both linear and non-linear trends over time and across regions. Our findings indicate a significant decrease in landcover types suitable as crane habitat over the 16-year period ($\tau$ = −0.90, p < 0.001), with an average annual decline of approximately −1.15 ± 0.21% (B± 95% CI). The best-fit trendline showed that habitat suitability in priority wintering areas decreased from over 81% in 2008 to under 65% in 2023. Specifically, grasslands, rice fields, and alfalfa acreage declined across priority wintering areas, while woody landcover—including orchards, vineyards, and riparian forest breaks—increased significantly ($\tau$ = 0.88, p < 0.001; B = 1.14 ± 0.20%). These landscape-level changes may constrain the regional carrying capacity for Sandhill Cranes and reduce their overall resilience. Full article

The Red Kite (Milvus milvus), a Western Palearctic raptor, experienced a severe population decline across its range during the 19th and 20th centuries, nearly disappearing as a breeding species in Spain. Although conservation and reintroduction efforts have facilitated recovery, information on its wintering ecology remains limited. We evaluated the population size and habitat selection of wintering Red Kites in and around the La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve (MHBR), Central Spain, and assessed whether survey route type affected detectability. Surveys comprised 325 vehicle-based line transects along paved roads and dirt tracks during the winters of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, and the 2022 breeding season. Detection rates and density did not differ between route types. Across 212 winter transects, we recorded 124 individuals, with none detected during 113 breeding season transects. Density estimates were consistent across winters (1.3–1.4 individuals/km²), yielding a population estimate of approximately 1430 individuals. Habitat analysis indicated clear selection for open agricultural mosaics dominated by fallow land and vineyards, while rugged terrain was avoided. These results identify MHBR as an important wintering area. Yet, super-intensive agriculture is a poor habitat due to its uniformity. Enhancing heterogeneous open landscapes, including farmland, is essential for Red Kite colonization and expansion. Full article

Stakeholder participation is increasingly promoted in ecological monitoring programmes, yet it raises critical questions about the spatial representativity and scientific robustness of resulting datasets. This study evaluates the representativeness of BeeNet, Italy’s national honeybee monitoring network (2019–2025), in depicting the agricultural landscape despite the non-randomised placement of selected apiaries. Apiaries were selected from voluntary beekeepers, balancing stakeholder participation with the objectives of the project. The distribution of over 300 workstations was assessed across Italian regions in relation to surface area and agricultural land-use composition, using Corine Land Cover (CLC) data aggregated into macro-categories. The analysis revealed that, although regional imbalances persist, particularly in mountainous areas or regions with challenging climatic conditions, the network broadly reflects the agricultural landscape in accordance with project objectives. Agricultural categories such as “orchards,” “meadows,” and “complex agricultural surfaces” are often well represented, though limitations in CLC classification likely lead to underestimation in mosaic agroecosystems, such as mixed olive groves and vineyards. An overrepresentation of “anthropic” areas indicated a tendency to situate apiaries in rural yet accessible locations. By combining spatial analyses with field observations and apiary-level data, a refined categorisation of land types and explicit consideration of beekeeping practices, such as nomadism, could strengthen the interpretative capacity of such network. The results underline the importance of spatial validation of stakeholder-driven monitoring to ensure ecological datasets are reliable, policy-relevant, and scientifically robust. Full article

Ligurian viticulture is characterized by a fragmented landscape and diverse microclimatic conditions, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grape production under climate change. This study investigates the perceived impacts of climate change on viticulture in Eastern (Levante) and Western (Ponente) Liguria, with a focus on vine growth dynamics, productivity, and the adaptation strategies adopted by local winegrowers. Semi-structured interviews with 48 winemakers revealed significant shifts in grape maturation (p < 0.001), earlier harvest dates, and increased vulnerability to fungal diseases (p < 0.01), primarily driven by rising temperatures and altered precipitation regimes. A notable rise in extreme temperature events (p < 0.01) was reported, with all respondents (100%) observing irregular seasonal temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, climate change was linked to changes in local fauna, particularly the expansion of ungulate populations (p < 0.001), leading to increased vineyard damage. In response, growers have adopted a range of adaptive measures, including drought-resistant rootstocks (e.g., M-series), traditional training systems (Guyot, Alberello), and local innovations such as the low pergola in Cinque Terre. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed region-specific adaptation profiles, underscoring the influence of environmental and agronomic variability on viticultural resilience. Logistic regression identified temperature variability, disease incidence, and precipitation shifts as key predictors of perceived climate impact. The results underscore the urgency of developing regionally tailored adaptation strategies to sustain viticulture in Liguria’s complex and changing landscape. Full article

Truffle hunting in the Piedmontese landscapes of Northern Italy is not merely a foraging practice but a deeply embodied and multispecies relationship grounded in intergenerational knowledge, sensory attunement, and emotional connection to forest ecologies. This study draws on qualitative interviews with local truffle hunters (Trifulau) to examine how socio-ecological transformations driven by land privatization, vineyard expansion, monocultural hazelnut plantations, and tourism disrupt these traditional practices. Thematic analysis reveals five dimensions of transformation: ecological estrangement, dispossession and exclusion, erosion of knowledge transmission, commodification and spectacularizing, emotional and ontological loss. Hunters describe a loss of sensory orientation, access to ancestral commons, and a breakdown of the human–dog forest relational web, accompanied by feelings of grief, alienation, and identity erosion. We argue that these changes undermine ecological sustainability and threaten emotional, cultural, and epistemological sustainability. The findings call for a broadened understanding of sustainability, one that recognizes affective, multispecies, and place-based knowledge systems as vital to sustaining cultural landscapes. This study contributes to debates on rural transformation, non-material heritage, and the invisible costs of commodifying traditional ecological practices in globalizing economies. Full article

Epigeic groups play a key ecological role in vineyards, as they represent a significant component of soil and surface communities that directly affect the functioning of the agroecosystem. They act as predators, decomposers of organic matter, and important regulators of pest populations, thereby contributing to the natural biological protection of the vineyard. We conducted research between 2021 and 2023, where we monitored the impact of different types of vineyard landscape habitats on the spatial distribution and abundance of epigeic fauna. Over the study period, 57,964 individuals were recorded, with the highest abundance observed in 2023 and the lowest in 2022. Redundancy analysis confirmed a significant impact of habitat type on community composition, especially in semi-intensive and intensive vineyards, meadows, and abandoned sites, with the differences being statistically significant in all monitored habitats. The interannual changes indicated a significant decrease in biodiversity in 2022, followed by a significant increase in 2023, indicating a positive effect of changing management practices and natural succession on restoring ecological stability. The K-nearest neighbor (KNN) prediction model successfully classified individual years based on the number of individuals and taxa with an accuracy of 97%, with 2021 characterized by lower biodiversity, 2022 by a transitional state, and 2023 by a higher taxa and abundance level. The findings highlight the sensitivity of epigeic fauna communities to management and environmental changes and confirm that the application of gentle agri-environmental measures can significantly contribute to the maintenance and restoration of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Full article

Spatial variability in vine vigour and yield components is a major challenge for vineyard management and consistent grape quality, particularly in hilly landscapes. This study evaluates the impact of on-the-go variable-rate fertilisation (VRA) in reducing within-vineyard variability in an 8.5 hectares commercial vineyard in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG region (Italy). Over two growing seasons, a proximal NDVI sensor (GreenSeeker) guided real-time fertiliser applications without prescription maps. Vine vigour, yield components, and grape quality were evaluated using geostatistical analysis and coefficient of variation (CV) metrics. VRA reduced total spatial variability (sill) by 55% and erratic variance (nugget effect) by 39% for NDVI measurements. Variability in yield components also decrease (−21.1% for cluster number, −6.25% for cluster weight), while grape composition parameters (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH) was not significantly altered despite a slightly higher variability (in titratable acidity and pH), indicating that fertiliser modulation did not compromise grape quality. Nitrogen input was reduced by 50%, highlighting economic and environmental benefits (−302 kg CO₂). These results show that simplified, sensor-based, on-the-go VRA is a practical and sustainable precision viticulture tool, even in small and heterogeneous vineyards typical of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG area. Full article

(1) Background: Human–wildlife conflict can lead to adverse consequences for both parties, particularly in areas with a high concentration of wild ungulates. Ungulates cause frequent, severe plant damage by stripping the bark or browsing on the youngest plants. In the latter case, they damage vegetative sprouts and leaves, which can cause a delay in growth or the plant’s death. Tuscany is notable for its significant population of wild boar, which cause substantial damage to vineyards and cereal crops, costing farmers millions annually. In Tuscany, given the highly cultivated landscape of olive trees, damage has also been recorded in these plants. Balancing human and wildlife needs is crucial for minimizing damage and ensuring coexistence. (2) Methods: This study tested innovative electronic playback devices using long-range radio technology (LoRa) to deter wild ungulates and prevent crop damage. These devices use sounds and lights to induce wild animals to be afraid and thus run away from the cultivated plot to be protected. The experiment was conducted on a farm in Chianti, Tuscany, involving four plots of land planted with olive trees: in two test areas, four playback devices and four camera traps were installed, and in the two control areas, only camera traps were installed. Playback devices aimed to deter wild ungulates and camera traps aimed to test their effectiveness. Data from the camera traps were analyzed statistically and behaviorally. (3) Results: Playback devices significantly reduced wild animal activity in the equipped areas. Statistical analysis revealed that the use of acoustic–luminous deterrent devices (PDs) significantly reduced wildlife visits to the olive groves. (4) Conclusion: The study’s findings, supported by heatmaps and frequency analyses, provide insights into wildlife activity patterns and guide the development of targeted, effective wildlife management strategies. Full article

Vineyards are distinctive agroecosystems heavily influenced by local natural factors and traditional management practices, with significant implications for the quality and quantity of grape production. This study investigated the ecological impact of copper-containing fungicides on the accumulation and distribution of copper, manganese, chromium, and cobalt in the upper soil horizons of vineyards of varying ages in the Fruška Gora region, Serbia. The results indicated a marked difference in total copper content across vineyards, with the oldest vineyard exhibiting levels 6.9 times above the regulatory limit. Factor analysis delineated a strong correlation between copper accumulation and vineyard age while also highlighting the influence of landscape morphology on the spatial distribution of heavy metals. The findings suggest that copper accumulation is primarily related to agricultural practices, particularly the duration of fungicide application, while the distribution of other heavy metals is more closely associated with topographic features. The novelty of our research lies in the fact that we have shown that the assessment of copper accumulation in soil in vineyard ecosystems should take into account not only viticultural practices but also the history of land use and the landscape characteristics of the area. Full article

Agricultural landscapes significantly impact biodiversity, particularly within vineyard ecosystems where the configuration of native vegetation and vineyard edges plays a pivotal role. This study investigated the structure of bird communities across vineyards, their edges, and adjacent native vegetation, utilizing generalized linear mixed models to analyze the influence of surrounding land covers at varying scales of 100 m and 1000 m radii across these three landscape types on bird richness and abundance and functional groups. The results highlight that native vegetation is crucial for supporting endemic bird species, with 41% of all observed species found across all three habitat types and a significant 66.7% shared between native vegetation and edge habitats. In particular, insectivores and carnivores, key to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision, showed higher abundances in areas with extensive native vegetation, underscoring its vital role in maintaining ecological functions. Edges not only enhanced the general bird richness and abundance but also served as crucial habitats for granivores and omnivores, influencing ecosystem dynamics through changes in the trophic guild community structure. These findings underscore the importance of conserving native vegetation within vineyard landscapes to foster a diverse avian community that contributes to enhancing ecosystem services. These results provide an opportunity to intensify restoration initiatives on vineyard edges and enhance our understanding of how certain species adapt to agriculture. This can be considered a vital nature-based solution for sustainable agriculture, promoting biodiversity conservation alongside productive agroecological practices in vineyard ecosystems. Full article

The small Mediterranean islands, unique geographical places where coastlines and mountains converge due to volcanic genesis, are among the most threatened environments on Earth. Their marginality, which has historically led to their use as places of detention and punishment, coupled with the extreme climate and rugged geomorphology shaped by terracing practices, has resulted in the loss of systematic land management. This loss stems from the abandonment of cropland in favor of alternative activities and migrations, impacting essential ecosystem services such as the water cycle, soil fertility, and the cultural landscape. The need to counteract the land degradation in these vulnerable areas has been acknowledged for some Mediterranean small islands, including the UNESCO heritage site of Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy—an especially captivating location due to its active volcano. The agricultural abandonment on terraces, intensively cultivated with olives groves and vineyards until the mid-20th century, has rendered the area highly fragile and susceptible to risks such as fires and soil erosion, particularly as a consequence of extreme weather events, as proven in 2022, which saw a destructive fire followed by storms. To mitigate the negative effects of hydrogeological disruptions, the implementation of integrated landscape management—managing ecosystems at the landscape level—has been proposed. Specifically, an agroforestry intervention, coupled with the restoration of dry stone walls, the shaping of soil slopes by recovering the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and the design of water-collecting devices incorporated with the traditional hydraulic knowledge, may be proposed as a strategic approach to minimize the soil erosion risks, adapt to climate change, and extensively restore the use of traditional agrobiodiversity to support the local economy and tourism. A pilot intervention by local stakeholders based on these principles is described as an emblematic agrobiodiversity-based landscape design project in a vulnerable area, aiming at the preservation of the cultural landscapes of the small Mediterranean islands. Full article

Drosophila suzukii is a pest affecting a wide range of host plants, causing severe damage to small fruits, berries, and grapes. This study analyzed environmental factors influencing its population dynamics in regions where temperature is not a limiting factor. Data were collected in the spring–summer seasons of 2018 and 2019 across three vineyards in northwestern Portugal, examining the relationship between captured D. suzukii females, climatic variables, vine phenological stages, and ecological infrastructures. A stepwise linear model and Pearson correlation matrix were used. In 2020, a winter study was conducted in nine vineyards, focusing on landscape composition and its effect on D. suzukii populations. An ecological infrastructure index was created and correlated with captures data. Results show that vine phenological stages and nearby ecological infrastructures significantly affect population dynamics in spring and summer. Vineyards surrounded by complex landscapes, especially with wild hosts, supported higher D. suzukii populations during winter. These findings highlight the importance of ecological infrastructures in managing D. suzukii populations year-round and suggest their consideration in pest control strategies. Full article