Characterisation of Franciacorta vineyard agroecosystem to support biodiversity and ecosystem services

Abstract

Vineyard is a multifunctional ecosystem associated to a multitude of environmental benefits and ecosystem services. Despite the increased research efforts on the analysis of biodiversity patterns and ecosystem services in vineyard, the lack of approaches to multifunctionality suggests to develop integrated approaches allowing to manage the complexity of vineyard landscape. The present study introduces an innovative methodology aimed at developing a unitary framework able to describe vineyard ecosystems biodiversity considering both local (morphological characteristics, internal ecological infrastructure, and management) and landscape (land-use) components. The case of Franciacorta wine-growing area is described considering a total of 112 ha located in three wine companies. Four informative layers related to different components of Franciacorta territory were defined: i) morphology; ii) internal ecological infrastructure; iii) landscape composition; iv) management. This study provides a useful instrument to increase knowledge about vineyard system biodiversity and to protect ecosystem services provision in Franciacorta territory. The methodology applied can easily be extended to the whole wine-growing compartment.