Effects of organic and conventional crop management on vineyard biodiversity

Published source details Puig-Montserrat X., Stefanescu C., Torre I., Palet J., Fàbregas E., Dantart J., Arrizabalaga A. & Flaquer C. (2017) Effects of organic and conventional crop management on vineyard biodiversity. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 243, 19-26.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Manage vineyards to benefit butterflies and moths Action Link
	Reduce fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide use generally Action Link

Manage vineyards to benefit butterflies and moths

A replicated, site comparison study in 2013–2014 in 20 vineyards in Catalonia, Spain (Puig-Montserrat et al. 2017) found that grass strips between the crop lines had more butterfly species than the crop lines themselves. There were more species of butterfly along grass strips in vineyards (32–33 species) than along the crop lines (22–30 species). In addition, vineyards managed with fewer chemicals had more butterfly species (30–33 species) than conventionally managed vineyards (22–32 species). Twenty vineyards managed with uncultivated grass strips between the crop lines were surveyed. Ten vineyards were managed with fewer insecticide and herbicide (Glyphosate) applications/year than 10 conventionally managed vineyards. From April–August 2013–2014, butterflies were surveyed four times/year on two 100-m transects/vineyard in nine vineyards/year. One transect was along crop lines, and the other was along grass strips between crop lines.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Reduce fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide use generally

A replicated, site comparison study in 2013–2014 in 20 vineyards in Catalonia, Spain (Puig-Montserrat et al. 2017) found that vineyards managed with fewer chemicals had more butterfly species than conventional vineyards, but a similar number of moth species. There were more species of butterfly in vineyards managed with fewer chemicals (30–33 species) than conventionally managed vineyards (22–32 species), but the number of moth species was similar (reduced: 193 species; conventional: 190 species). Ten vineyards were managed with fewer insecticide and herbicide (Glyphosate) applications/year than 10 conventionally-managed vineyards. From April–August 2013–2014, butterflies were surveyed four times/year on two 100-m transects/vineyard in nine vineyards/year. One transect was along crop lines, and the other was along grass strips between crop lines. From April–September 2013–2014, moths were sampled for 3–4 hours after sunset using two light traps, one each on a reduced and conventional farm. The number of nights is not specified, but 18 farms were sampled in 2013 and 20 in 2014.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)