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

Silvia Stanchi, Odoardo Zecca, Csilla Hudek, Emanuele Pintaldi, Davide Viglietti, Michele E. D’Amico, Nicola Colombo, Davide Goslino, Marilisa Letey and Michele Freppaz
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Silvia Stanchi: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Odoardo Zecca: Institut Agricole Régional, 11100 Aosta, Italy
Csilla Hudek: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Emanuele Pintaldi: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Davide Viglietti: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Michele E. D’Amico: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Nicola Colombo: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Davide Goslino: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
Marilisa Letey: Institut Agricole Régional, 11100 Aosta, Italy
Michele Freppaz: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-14

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.

Keywords: Alps; steep-slope viticulture; erodibility; RUSLE; nature-based solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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