Terroir 2004 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Method for the evaluation of climatic changes envisaging the protection of grape-growing terroirs: the Géoviticulture MCC system in the evaluation of the potential impact of the construction of hydroelectric power plants on viticulture

Method for the evaluation of climatic changes envisaging the protection of grape-growing terroirs: the Géoviticulture MCC system in the evaluation of the potential impact of the construction of hydroelectric power plants on viticulture

Abstract

[English version below]

La recherche, conduite en 2002, a envisagé l’estimation, a priori, de l’effet du changement mesoclimatique sur le potentiel qualitatif de la région viticole de la Serra Gaúcha (Vallée du Rio das Antas) – Brésil, en fonction de la construction de 3 usines hydroélectriques. Avec une puissance totale de 360 MW, les usines seront opérationnelles entre 2004-2007. La superficie totale d’inondation est de 11,4 km2. La demande des viticulteurs était d’avoir une évaluation des effets d’un éventuel changement climatique en fonction de cette action humaine sur le potentiel viticole de la région. Elle présente climat IS-2 IH+1 IF-1 (humide, tempéré chaud, à nuits tempérées) selon le Système de Classification Climatique Multicritères Géoviticole (Système CCM Géoviticole). Le Système, qui offre plusieurs outils d’aide aux études de zonage vitivinicole à différents échelles, utilise 3 indices climatiques viticoles de référence (Indice de Sécheresse – IS, Indice Héliothermique – IH et Indice de Fraîcheur des Nuits – IF). Ces indices sont représentatifs de la variabilité du climat viticole liée aux exigences des cépages, à la qualité de la vendange (sucre, couleur, arôme) et à la typicité des vins. Dans une première étape, l’étude a été développée en utilisant la modélisation climatique numérique avec le modèle RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System), version 4.3, au niveau meso et macroclimatique dans la région des usines. Quatre situations ont été simulées : vigne au Fond de la Vallée – FV (situation juste à coté de la rivière) – (1) Climat Actuel (CA-FV) et (2) Climat Futur (CF-FV) ; Haut de la Vallée – HV (416 m supérieure en altitude et à une distance horizontale de 102 m para rapport à FV) – (3) Climat Actuel (CA-HV) et (4) Climat Futur (CF-HV). Le CF représente la situation de plus fort impact potentiel, où la superficie a être inondée sera la plus grande. Egalement, une étude de l’évolution du changement climatique à partir de la rivière jusqu’à la disparition de ces effets dans la région a été conduite. Les variables climatiques concernent les températures (minimale, maximale et moyenne), pluie, Rg, insolation, humidité de l’air e vitesse du vent ont été modélisées au pas de temps mensuel. L’évapotranspiration potentielle (ETP Penman) a été calculée. Par la suite, les indices IH, IF et IS ont été calculés, avec l’utilisation des fonctionnalités du Système, soit pour CA, soit pour CF dans les situations FV et HV. Les résultats ont montré que le climat viticole ne change pas de classe dans le climat futur. Pour l’IH au fond de la vallée, la valeur de 2.488 (CA-FV) passe à 2.483 dans le scénario futur (CF-FV). En haut de la Vallée, l’IH passe de 2.451 (CA) à 2.443 dans CF. Pour l’IF on ne constate pas un changement climatique pour la période de référence de l’indice (moi de mars), sauf pour la période de décembre à février, avec une augmentation de 0,1 à 0,2 ºC dans le climat futur pour les deux situations (FV et HV). L’IS présente des valeurs entre 4 à 6 mm supérieurs dans le climat futur en comparaison avec CA, soit pour FV ou HV. Le résultat est fonction surtout d’une précipitation un peut plus élevé et d’une ETP un peut plus faible dans le climat futur. L’étude a permis d’estimer que la construction des 3 usines hydroélectriques ne changera pas le macroclimat, mais devra causer un changement au niveau du climat local (topoclimat), en fonction d’une augmentation de l’IS et de la réduction de l’IF, restreint aux zones internes (coteaux de la Vallée du Rio das Antas). Le changement tend à zéro quand on s’éloigne de la vallée (plus de 1000 m de distance la rivière). Ce changement est potentiellement négatif vis-à-vis des caractéristiques qualitatives du raisin. Par contre, il est de très faible intensité. Une cartographie en 3D de la région des usines, avec la superficie a être inondé, a été saisie. Une suivie des conditions climatiques de longe terme est en cours envisageant l’évaluation du changement climatique réel et son influence sur la viticulture.

The research, conducted in 2002, has aimed at estimating, a priori, how the mesoclimatic change, conditioned by the construction of 3 hydroelectric power plants, will affect the qualitative potential of the grape-growing region of the Serra Gaúcha (Rio das Antas Valley), Brazil. The power plants will begin to operate between 2004 and 2007, and their total capacity will amount to 360 MW. The total inundation surface will be 11,4 km2. The vine growers requested to get an idea about how a possible climatic change, caused by this man-made action, could affect the vineyard potential of this region. According to the Géoviticulture Multicriteria Climate Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System), the region has the climate IS-2 IH+1 IF-1 (“humid, temperate warm, with temperate nights”). The system, which offers several tools for viticultural zoning studies on different scales, employs 3 viticultural climatic indices of reference (Dryness Index – IS, Heliothermal Index – IH, and Cool Night Index – IF). These indices are representative of the variability of the viticultural climate related to the requirements of the grape varieties, the quality of the grapes (sugar, color, flavor) and the characteristics of the wines. In a first stage of the study, numerical climatic modeling with the RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System), version 4.3, was employed at the meso- and macroclimatic level in the region of the power plants. Four situations were simulated: vineyard at the foot of the valley – FV – (location right at the riverbanks) – (1) Current Climate (CA-FV) and (2) Future Climate (FC-FV); at the top of the valley – HV – (416m higher and at a horizontal distance of 102m in relation to FV) – (3) Current Climate (CA-HV) and (4) Future Climate (CF-HV). The CF demonstrates the situation with the strongest potential impact where the surface to be flooded is the largest. Equally, a study on the evolution of the climatic change was conducted starting from the river up to the disappearance of these effects in the region. The climatic variables, concerning the temperatures (minimum, maximum and average), rain, Rg, insolation, air humidity and speed of the wind were modeled at a monthly rate. The potential evapotranspiration was calculated. In the following, the indices IH, IS and IF were calculated, using the functions of the System, for CA as well as for CF in the situations FV and HV. The results have shown that the viticultural climate does not change class in the future climate. For IH at the foot of the valley, the value 2.488 (CA-FV) changes to 2.483 in the future climate (CF-FV). At the top of the valley the IH changes from 2.451 (CA) to 2.433 for CF. In this way, no significative influence on IH was observed. For IF it is not possible to observe a climatic change in the period of reference of the index (March) except for the period from December to February, with an increase of 0,1 to 0,2ºC in the future climate for the two situations (FV and HV). The IS shows values between 4 and 6 mm higher in the future climate when compared with CA, be it for FV or HV. The result is above all a consequence of a slightly higher precipitation and of a slightly weaker ETP in the future climate. The study has allowed to estimate that the construction of the three hydroelectric power plants will not change the macroclimate, but should cause a change at the level of the local climate (topoclimate), as an effect of an increase of the IS and of the reduction of the IF, restricted to internal areas (slopes of the Rio das Antas Valley). The change tends towards zero at a certain distance from the valley (more than 1000m distance from the river). This change is potentially negative for the qualitative characteristics of the grapes. However, it is of very weak intensity. A 3D chart of the power plants region with the surface to be flooded has been produced. A study on the long-term climatic conditions is currently being performed aiming at the evaluation of the real climatic change and its influence on the viticulture.

Download the PDF

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2004

Type: Article

Authors

J. Tonietto (1), O.L.L. de Moraes (2) et H. Hasenack (3)

(1) Embrapa – Centre National de Recherche de la Vigne et du Vin ; Rua Livramento, 515 ; 95700-000 –
Bento Gonçalves, Brésil
(2) Département de Climatologie, Université Fédérale de Santa Maria – UFSM
(3) Centre d’Ecologie, Université Fédérale du Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS

Contact the author

Keywords

Qualité, changement climatique, impact climatique, Système CCM Géoviticole, protection des terroirs viticoles

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2004

Citation

Related articles…

Influence of weather and climatic conditions on the viticultural production in Croatia

The research includes an analysis of the impact of weather conditions on phenological development of the vine and grape quality, through monitoring of four experimental cultivars (Chardonnay, Graševina, Merlot and Plavac mali) over two production years. In each experimental vineyard, which were evenly distributed throughout the regions of Slavonia and The Croatian Danube, Croatian Uplands,

Read More

Assessing the climate change vulnerability of European winegrowing regions by combining exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity indicators

Winegrowing regions recognized as protected designations of origin (PDOs) are closely tied to well defined geographic locations with a specific set of pedoclimatic attributes and strictly regulated by legal specifications. However, climate change is increasingly threatening these regions by changing local conditions and altering winegrowing processes. The vulnerability to these changes is largely heterogenous across different winegrowing regions because it is determined by individual characteristics of each region, including the capacity to adapt to new climatic conditions and the sensitivity to climate change, which depend not only on natural, but also socioeconomic and legal factors. Accurate vulnerability assessments therefore need to combine information about adaptive capacity and climate change sensitivity with projected exposure to new climatic conditions. However, most existing studies focus on specific impacts neglecting important interactions between the different factors that determine climate change vulnerability. Here, we present the first comprehensive vulnerability assessment of European wine PDOs that spatially combines multiple indicators of adaptive capacity and climate change sensitivity with high-resolution climate projections. We found that the climate change vulnerability of PDO areas largely depends on the complex interactions between physical and socioeconomic factors. Homogenous topographic conditions and a narrow varietal spectrum increase climate change vulnerability, while the skills and education of farmers, together with a good economic situation, decrease their vulnerability. Assessments of climate change consequences therefore need to consider multiple variables as well as their interrelations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the expected impacts of climate change on European PDOs. Our results provide the first vulnerability assessment for European winegrowing regions at high spatiotemporal resolution that includes multiple factors related to climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity on the level of single winegrowing regions. They will therefore help to identify hot spots of climate change vulnerability among European PDOs and efficiently direct adaptation strategies.

Read More

A blueprint for managing vine physiological balance at different spatial and temporal scales in Champagne

In Champagne, the vine adaptation to different climatic and technical changes during these last 20 years can be seen through physiological balance disruptions. These disruptions emphasize the general grapevine decline. Since the 2000s, among other nitrogen stress indicators, the must nitrogen has been decreasing. The combination of restricted mineral fertilizers and herbicide use, the growing variability of spring rainfall, the increasing thermal stress as well as the soil type heterogeneity are only a few underlying factors that trigger loss of physiological balance in the vineyards. It is important to weigh and quantify the impact of these factors on the vine. In order to do so, the Comité Champagne uses two key-tools: networking and modelization. The use of quantitative and harmonized ecophysiological indicators is necessary, especially in large spatial scales such as the Champagne appellation. A working group with different professional structures of Champagne has been launched by the Comité Champagne in order to create a common ecophysiology protocol and thus monitor the vine physiology, yearly, around 100 plots, with various cultural practices and types of soil. The use of crop modelling to follow the vine physiological balance within different pedoclimatic conditions enables to understand the present balance but also predict the possible disruptions to come in future climatic scenarios. The physiological references created each year through the working group, benefit the calibration of the STICS model used in Champagne. In return, the model delivers ecophysiology indicators, on a daily scale and can be used on very different types of soils. This study will present the bottom-up method used to give accurate information on the impacts of soil, climate and cultural practices on vine physiology.

Read More

De novo Vitis champinii whole genome assembly allows rootstock-specific identification of potential candidate genes for drought and salt tolerance

Vitis champinii cultivars Ramsey and Dog-ridge are main choices for rootstocks to adapt viticulture in semi-arid and arid regions thanks to their distinctive tolerance to drought and salinity. However, genetic studies on non-vinifera rootstocks have heavily relied on the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) reference genome, which difficulted the assessment of the genetic variation between rootstock species and grapevines. In the present study, this limitation is addressed by introducing a novo phased genome assembly and annotation of Vitis champinii. This new Vitis champinii genome was employed as reference for mapping RNA-seq reads from the same species under drought and salt stresses, and for comparison the same reads were also mapped to the Vitis vinifera PN40024.V4 reference genome. A significant increase in alignment rate was gained when mapping Vitis champinii RNA-seq reads to its own genome, compared to the Vitis vinifera PN40024.V4 reference genome, thus revealing the expression levels of genes specific to Vitis champinii. Moreover, differences in coding sequences were observed in ortholog genes between Vitis champinii and Vitis vinifera, which therefore challenges previous differential expression analyses performed between contrasting Vitis genotypes on the same gene from the Vitis vinifera genome. Genes with possible implications in drought and salt tolerance have been identified across the genome of Vitis champinii, and the same genomic data can potentially guide the discovery of candidate genes specific from Vitis champinii for other traits of interest, therefore becoming a valuable resource for rootstock breeding designs, specially towards increased drought and salinity due to climate change.

Read More

Use of a new, miniaturized, low-cost spectral sensor to estimate and map the vineyard water status from a mobile 

Optimizing the use of water and improving irrigation strategies has become increasingly important in most winegrowing countries due to the consequences of climate change, which are leading to more frequent droughts, heat waves, or alteration of precipitation patterns. Optimized irrigation scheduling can only be based on a reliable knowledge of the vineyard water status.

In this context, this work aims at the development of a novel methodology, using a contactless, miniaturized, low-cost NIR spectral tool to monitor (on-the-go) the vineyard water status variability. On-the-go spectral measurements were acquired in the vineyard using a NIR micro spectrometer, operating in the 900–1900 nm spectral range, from a ground vehicle moving at 3 km/h. Spectral measurements were collected on the northeast side of the canopy across four different dates (July 8th, 14th, 21st and August 12th) during 2021 season in a commercial vineyard (3 ha). Grapevines of Vitis vinifera L. Graciano planted on a VSP trellis were monitored at solar noon using stem water potential (Ψs) as reference indicators of plant water status. In total, 108 measurements of Ψs were taken (27 vines per date).

Calibration and prediction models were performed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. The best prediction models for grapevine water status yielded a determination coefficient of cross-validation (r2cv) of 0.67 and a root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSEcv) of 0.131 MPa. This predictive model was employed to map the spatial variability of the vineyard water status and provided useful, practical information towards the implementation of appropriate irrigation strategies. The outcomes presented in this work show the great potential of this low-cost methodology to assess the vineyard stem water potential and its spatial variability in a commercial vineyard.

Read More