Sekhar Udaya Nagothu

Senior Research Scientist

(+47) 990 15 621
nagothu.udayasekhar@nibio.no

Place
Ås O43

Visiting address
Oluf Thesens vei 43, 1433 Ås

Abstract

The final chapter in this book summarizes the main messages and recommendations from the different chapters. The experiences from different chapters show that nature-based solutions (NbS) have the potential to address key societal challenges in vineyard socio-ecosystems. This chapter discusses the limitations for upscaling NbS and measures to overcome them. Scaling up of NbS at the landscape level requires an integrated approach that links policy, financial instruments and technical solutions. Towards the end, the current policy framework available for upscaling of the evidence-based NbS is presented, which could be useful for managers working in the winegrowing regions of the Mediterranean.

Abstract

This transdisciplinary book explores the potential benefits and challenges of implementing nature-based solutions in vineyards across a range of European countries. Most agricultural landscapes, including vineyards, have abandoned their traditional management practices, making them vulnerable to climate extremities, biologically impoverished and highly susceptible to pests and diseases. There is now a growing awareness among wine producers and consumers about the importance of managing vineyards sustainably through nature-based solutions. This volume analyses work done in vineyards across a range of European countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France and Portugal, and further examines the potential of sustainable nature-based solutions in improving ecosystem health, while prioritizing wine quality and social and economic gains. Drawing on the experiences of scientists from varied backgrounds, including natural and social scientists, vineyard managers, wine producers and environmental agencies working in vineyard landscapes, chapters present evidence-based research results demonstrating the environmental, social and economic effectiveness of nature-based solutions implemented through a range of bio-based approaches, including organic, biodynamic and regenerative farming approaches. This volume delves into the transformative potential of nature-based solutions, presenting novel pathways, applications, evidence-based cases and experiential assessments of nature-based solutions in different agroecological settings. This book will be of great interest to students, scholars and professionals working on nature-based solutions, agriculture, viticulture and environmental management more broadly.

To document

Abstract

Intensive farming systems are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane and nitrous oxide, thereby contributing to the acceleration of climate change, which in turn contributes to frequent extreme weather events (droughts, floods, heat stress). However, reducing methane emissions in the agricultural sector is much tougher, especially in open landscapes. Considering this, new systemic solutions that are sustainable and implementable at landscape level are necessary. This chapter broadly presents the concept of nature-based solutions (NbS), its brief history and how it was mainstreamed into the research and development agenda in recent years. This is followed by a discussion of major challenges of the current farming systems in general and vineyard landscapes in particular. This chapter provides a review of innovative approaches and pathways for a transition towards sustainable NbS, including biodynamic, organic and regenerative viticulture. This is followed by a transdisciplinary conceptual framework for NbS implementation, showing the importance of linkages between science, stakeholders and policy. In addition, the benefits of implementing NbS and the supporting policy frameworks were briefly discussed. Towards the end, a brief outline of the book was described in this chapter.