Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
PLoS One. 2013 Oct 1;8(10):e76167. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076167. eCollection 2013.
Vineyards are amongst the most intensive forms of agriculture often resulting in simplified landscapes where semi-natural vegetation is restricted to small scattered patches. However, a tendency toward a more sustainable management is stimulating research on biodiversity in these poorly investigated agro-ecosystems. The main aim of this study was to test the effect on plant diversity of management intensity and topography in vineyards located in a homogenous intensive hilly landscape. Specifically, this study evaluated the role of slope, mowing and herbicide treatments frequency, and nitrogen supply in shaping plant diversity and composition of life-history traits. The study was carried out in 25 vineyards located in the area of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG (Veneto, NE Italy). In each vineyard, 10 plots were placed and the abundance of all vascular plants was recorded in each plot. Linear multiple regression was used to test the effect of management and topography on plant diversity. Management intensity and topography were both relevant drivers of plant species diversity patterns in our vineyards. The two most important factors were slope and mowing frequency that respectively yielded positive and negative effects on plant diversity. A significant interaction between these two factors was also demonstrated, warning against the detrimental effects of increasing mowing intensity on steep slope where plant communities are more diverse. The response of plant communities to mowing frequency is mediated by a process of selection of resistant growth forms, such in the case of rosulate and reptant species. The other two management-related factors tested in this study, number of herbicide treatments and N fertilization, were less influential. In general, our study corroborates the idea that some simple changes in farming activities, which are compatible with grape production, should be encouraged for improving the natural and cultural value of the landscape by maintaining and improving wild plant diversity.
葡萄园是最密集的农业形式之一，通常导致简化的景观，其中半自然植被仅限于小而分散的斑块。然而，向更可持续的管理方向发展的趋势正在刺激对这些研究不足的农业生态系统生物多样性的研究。本研究的主要目的是测试位于同质集约化丘陵景观中的葡萄园的管理强度和地形对植物多样性的影响。具体而言，本研究评估了坡度、修剪和除草剂处理频率以及氮供应在塑造植物多样性和生活史特征组成方面的作用。该研究在位于 Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG 地区（意大利东北部威尼托）的 25 个葡萄园进行。在每个葡萄园，放置 10 个样地，并记录每个样地所有维管植物的丰度。线性多元回归用于检验管理和地形对植物多样性的影响。管理强度和地形都是我们葡萄园植物物种多样性模式的重要驱动因素。两个最重要的因素是坡度和修剪频率，它们分别对植物多样性产生积极和消极的影响。这两个因素之间也存在显著的相互作用，这表明在植物群落更加多样化的陡峭斜坡上，增加修剪强度会产生不利影响。植物群落对修剪频率的反应受到抗性生长形式选择的过程的调节，例如在丛生和爬行物种的情况下。本研究测试的其他两个与管理相关的因素，即除草剂处理次数和氮施肥，影响较小。总的来说，我们的研究证实了这样一种观点，即一些简单的农业活动变化，与葡萄生产兼容，应该得到鼓励，以通过维持和提高野生植物多样性来提高景观的自然和文化价值。
