Researchers from the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences (ICVV) have released the first results of the European LIFE+BioDiVine project “Demonstrating biodiversity in wine-growing landscapes”, which already reflects an increase in biodiversity in the wine-growing landscape, thanks to living organisms that combat populations that are harmful to the vine.

This initiative, developed by the ICVV -formed by the Government of La Rioja, the University of La Rioja (UR) and the Higher Centre for Scientific Research (CSIC)-, seeks to establish specific actions to promote the growth of functional biodiversity in wine-growing landscapes, while promoting the development of sustainable agriculture and attending to wine tourism. as a key economic sector.

The project, which began in 2011 and is scheduled to end in 2014, has already shown the first results, with an improvement in the quality of the landscape. In this way, there has been a decrease in pests and diseases in the vines. These objectives have been achieved thanks to actions such as the implantation of other species on the edges of surfaces, plant covers, the use of non-chemical control methods, the accommodation of slopes or the reorganization of cultivated areas. In addition, information days have been planned in La Granjera (Logroño) in order to inform and train workers in sustainable viticulture. This project will implement new actions aimed at studying and forecasting the effects in the medium and long term.