Effect of Soil Management on Erosion in Mountain Vineyards (N-W Italy)

Silvia Stanchi,Csilla Hudek,Odoardo Zecca,Davide Goslino,Marilisa Letey,Nicola Colombo,Emanuele Pintaldi,Michele E. D’Amico,Michele Freppaz,Davide Viglietti

doi:10.3390/su13041991

Abstract

We studied the effects of three soil management approaches (permanent grassing, chemical weeding, and buffer strips), and the additional impact of tractor passage on soil erosion in a sloping vineyard located in the inner part of Aosta Valley (N-W Italian Alps). The vineyard rows were equipped with a sediment collection system with channels and barrel tanks. A total of 12 events with sediment production were observed across 6 years, and the collected sediments were weighted and analyzed. Average erosion rates ranged from negligible (mainly in grassed rows) to 1.1 t ha−1 per event (after weeding). The most erosive event occurred in July 2015, with a total rainfall of 32.2 mm, of which 20.1 were recorded in 1 h. Despite the limited number of erosive events observed, and the low measured erosion rates, permanent grassing reduced soil erosion considerably with respect to weeding; buffering had a comparable effect to grassing. The tractor passage, independent of the soil management approaches adopted, visibly accelerated the erosion process. The collected sediments were highly enriched in organic C, total N, and fine size fractions, indicating a potential loss of fertility over time. Despite the measured erosion rates being low over the experiment’s duration, more severe events are well documented in the recent past, and the number of intense storms is likely to increase due to climate change. Thus, the potential effects of erosion in the medium and long term need to be limited to a minimum rate of soil loss. Our experiment helped to compare soil losses by erosion under different soil management practices, including permanent grassing, i.e., a nature-based erosion mitigation measure. The results of the research can provide useful indications for planners and practitioners in similar regions, for sustainable, cross-sectoral soil management, and the enhancement of soil ecosystem services.

Highlights

Mountain vineyards are naturally prone to erosion processes, mainly due to steep slopes and complex topography [1]
As reviewed in Geitner et al [2], accelerated erosion, triggered by water and tillage can impact the main ecosystem services provided by mountain soils, such as runoff regulation, nutrients cycling, water filtration, biodiversity, and cultural and spiritual value
Our work studied the effect of soil management approaches, and tractor passage on soil erosion in an Alpine vineyard, through field measurements, that were compared to RUSLE estimates

Summary

Introduction

Mountain vineyards are naturally prone to erosion processes, mainly due to steep slopes and complex topography [1]. As reviewed in Geitner et al [2], accelerated erosion, triggered by water and tillage can impact the main ecosystem services provided by mountain soils, such as runoff regulation, nutrients cycling, water filtration, biodiversity, and cultural and spiritual value. Nature-based solutions against erosion, such as the use of grassing proved to be very effective for soil conservation in vineyards, as they warrant protection against splash erosion, considerably reduce runoff, and improve the soil structure, but they contribute to Sustainability 2021, 13, 1991. Schütte et al [7] demonstrated that the use of cover crops for grassing in vineyards to prevent erosion is cost-effective if all on- and off-site costs are considered, warranting a wide range of ecosystem services in the long term.

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Discussion

Conclusion