MSGID: 1:317/3 64b22105   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Our favorite vintages and their precarious mountainside homes are at   
   risk due to climate change, environmental scientists warn    
      
     Date:   
         July 14, 2023   
     Source:   
         Cell Press   
     Summary:   
         Tucked into the hillsides of Italy, Portugal, and Spain, some   
         of the world's most famous -- and most difficult to maintain --   
         vineyards are heralded for their unique flavor profiles and   
         centuries of tradition. But as extreme weather and changing   
         socioeconomic conditions make this so- called 'heroic viticulture'   
         even more challenging, scientists worry these grapes and their   
         cultural histories are at risk. Researchers argue that farmers and   
         scientists must work together to protect some of the world's most   
         celebrated wines.   
      
      
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   FULL STORY   
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   Tucked into the hillsides of Italy, Portugal, and Spain, some of the   
   world's most famous -- and most difficult to maintain -- vineyards are   
   heralded for their unique flavor profiles and centuries of tradition. But   
   as extreme weather and changing socioeconomic conditions make this   
   so-called "heroic viticulture" even more challenging, scientists worry   
   these grapes and their cultural histories are at risk. In a Backstory   
   publishing on July 14 in the journal iScience,researchers argue that   
   farmers and scientists must work together to protect some of the world's   
   most celebrated wines.   
      
   "The risk is not only losing an agricultural product or seeing a landscape   
   change, negatively impacting the local economy," write the authors from   
   the University of Padova. "The risk is losing entire communities' history   
   and their cultural roots."  Vineyards are considered "heroic viticulture"   
   sites if they have a slope steeper than 30 percent, are located on small   
   islands or at an altitude higher than 500 meters above sea level, or if   
   they incorporate vines grown on terraces. The name "heroic" originated   
   from the inherent difficulty of cultivating and harvesting crops in these   
   landscapes. Some of the most famous, centuries-old examples of heroic   
   viticulture include the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene   
   and the traditional vineyards of Pantelleria Island, both of which are   
   protected by UNESCO.   
      
   "The great effort required to manage these areas reinforces the specific   
   human- environment connection," write the authors. "This is why they   
   are recognized as cultural uniquenesses of primary historical and social   
   importance, where traditional knowledge is still the determining element."   
   In the Backstory, the authors list soil degradation and drought as the   
   biggest climate change-related risks to heroic viticulture. They also   
   argue that the vineyards face several significant socioeconomic barriers.   
      
   "The last half past century has been characterized by rural exodus and   
   a gradual abandonment of mountain landscapes," the authors write. "The   
   new generation is unwilling to continue working under extreme conditions   
   if economic benefits are insignificant."  In order to protect heroic   
   viticulture sites, the authors suggest several forms of potential   
   solutions, from strategic communications designed to unite scientists,   
   farmers, and consumers to onsite solutions like small water storage   
   systems integrated into the vineyard landscapes that prevent runoff and   
   retain water for future usage. They also underline the importance of   
   education, including "educating the new generation about the benefits of   
   rural reality, the need to preserve cultural heritage, live in equilibrium   
   with the environment, and to have a sustainable approach to agriculture."   
   "The key to success lies in combining the traditional knowledge of   
   winemakers with innovation and scientific rigor," write the authors. "In   
   this way, farms can work closely with scientists to optimize investments   
   for a more functional, sustainable, and safe agricultural landscape --   
   a winning alliance to face these diverse natural and anthropogenic   
   challenges."   
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   Story Source: Materials provided by Cell_Press. Note: Content may be   
   edited for style and length.   
      
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Journal Reference:   
      1. Paolo Tarolli, Wendi Wang, Anton Pijl, Sara Cucchiaro, Eugenio   
         Straffelini. Heroic viticulture: Environmental and socioeconomic   
         challenges of unique heritage landscapes. iScience, 2023; 107125   
         DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107125   
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   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230714113430.htm   
      
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