The modernization of traditional vineyards into intensive trellis systems reduces the species richness and abundance of reptiles

Abstract

Aim of the study: Traditional vineyards have, in the last few decades, been transformed into trellis systems, but little research has been carried out into the consequences as regards biodiversity. We compared the abundance and species richness of reptiles in conventional-traditional vineyards and trellis vineyards. Area of study: The study was conducted in a wine appellation area of origin denominated as Montilla-Moriles, Southern Spain. Material and methods: Reptile’s species richness and abundance were estimated by walking transects in 24 different vineyards (12 trellis and 12 traditional vineyards) in four consecutive years. Main results: The results showed an extremely low abundance in both management systems, since no reptiles were recorded in 43.1% of the transects. However, there was a greater abundance and diversity of reptiles in the traditional vineyards than in the trellis vineyards, with 7 vs. 3 species being found in traditional and trellis vineyards, respectively. Research highlights: The lack of refuge in trellis vineyards owing to the vertical growth of plants, whose branches grow higher from the ground, is probably the main cause of the lower abundance and species richness found in trellis systems, since both types of vineyard had bare ground owing to ploughing and the application of herbicides. Since the transformation of traditional vineyards into those with trellis systems is often subsidized, this modernization should be accompanied by certain agri-environmental measures (e.g., cover crops, artificial refuges or natural hedges) in order to compensate for the associated negative effects.