How best to promote biodiversity in vineyards

Example of an organically managed Valais vineyard with little disturbed and species-rich soil cover. C. Pfammatter / Pfyn-Finges Nature Park - Researchers at the University of Bern have investigated how organic, biodynamic and conventional management in vineyards affects insect fauna. They were able to show that organic - and to a lesser extent biodynamic - management provides better habitat conditions for insects than conventionally managed vineyards. Vineyards are mostly farmed either conventionally, organically or biodynamically. Conventional means that synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are allowed. In addition, herbicides, or weed killers, are often used to prevent any competition for nutrients and water between the vines and the ground vegetation. In contrast, in organic and biodynamic farming, mechanical methods are used to minimize ground vegetation - sometimes sheep are used for mowing.