Project start: 01.04.2019
Project end: 30.03.2024
Sponsor: Geisenheim University

The aim of the project is to analyze bird diversity in German wine-growing regions and to demonstrate the influence of landscape structures and management systems using the example of Rheingau, Rheinhessen und Mosel. The findings shall help to develop a management system that promotes biodiversity. So far, research has shown that pure wine-growing regions provide a suitable habitat for only a few species. Viticulture is characterized by intensive management systems with frequent disturbing factors such as the use of pesticides, soil preparation and mowing. Greened alleys of land that support very few species only, and the elimination of marginal strips as part of large-scale reparceling processes resulted in low structural diversity. However, certain landscape structures in and around the vineyard as well as an adapted management system can create favorable living conditions and contribute to stall the loss of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape.