Vineyard footprint on pollinators is mediated by flower vegetation, organic farming, seasonal and weather factors, a case study from North Italy

Summary

This field study from Northern Italy examined how vineyard management practices and environmental conditions influence pollinator communities across multiple wine farms. The research found that herbaceous vegetation cover, weed height, and flower diversity within vineyards positively correlated with pollinator abundance and diversity, whilst organic farming showed a slight negative association with overall pollinator abundance. Temporal, weather, and seasonal factors also significantly shaped pollinator activity, suggesting that integrated management strategies accounting for both structural habitat provision and phenological dynamics are necessary to mitigate vineyard impacts on pollinator communities.

UK applicability

The findings on herbaceous cover and flower diversity effects are likely applicable to UK viticulture and broader horticultural systems, though the specific magnitude of responses may differ under cooler, wetter UK conditions and different seasonal phenology. The negative association with organic farming warrants further investigation in UK contexts, where organic viticulture and horticulture may operate under different environmental and management conditions.

Key measures

Pollinator abundance (percentage change per unit management factor), pollinator diversity (percentage change per unit), functional trait distribution, effects of herbaceous vegetation cover, weed height, flower diversity, organic vs. conventional farming, wind intensity, air temperature, seasonal progression, and sampling hour on pollinator populations

Outcomes reported

The study measured pollinator abundance, diversity, and functional trait distribution across vineyards under different management regimes, and identified which environmental, weather, and management parameters shaped these populations. Key findings included quantified relationships between herbaceous vegetation cover, weed management, flower diversity, and pollinator responses, as well as temporal and weather effects on pollinator activity.

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