{Tool} Practices for increasing on-farm biodiversity: organic vineyard in Southern Spain. Creator(s): Dietemann, Lauren and Pardavila, Africa. Issuing Organisation(s): FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Innovarum. (2026)
![[thumbnail of video.php_y=https_%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F7FpUqJ7Uv2k_si=r_NniyhdQNxpj-Xl]](/style/images/fileicons/video.png) |
Video (MPEG)
- Published Version
- Spanish/Español
162B |
Document available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FpUqJ7Uv2k&t=24s
Summary
In this video, Francisco Robles talks about the challenges he faces at his farm and how he addressed them to increase biodiversity in agronomic and production processes, especially in the face of climate change.
Summary translation
En este vídeo, Francisco Robles habla de los retos a los que se enfrenta en su granja y de cómo los ha abordado para aumentar la biodiversidad en los procesos agronómicos y de producción, sobre todo ante el cambio climático.
| EPrint Type: | Practice tool |
|---|---|
| Teaser: | Increasing biodiversity in the face of climate change. |
| What problem does the tool address?: | Conventional viticulture, and vineyard production generally, faces reduced biodiversity, which weakens vine health, grape quality, and the vineyard's natural resilience to climate change (abrupt temperature swings, torrential rains) and to disease pressure such as downy mildew. Low biodiversity means fewer beneficial insects, weaker natural pest/disease defenses, and greater vulnerability of the ecosystem overall. Converting to organic viticulture without a clear biodiversity strategy risked losing the tools conventional farming relies on (chemical inputs) without replacing them with an equally effective, nature-based system. |
| What solution does the tool offer?: | Bodegas Robles (Montilla-Moriles region, Spain) addresses this through a deliberate, science-informed biodiversity design process across the whole vineyard landscape—from soil to field perimeter: -Ground cover cropping: selected herb and seed species (clover varieties, cruciferous plants) are planted to balance soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, chosen based on initial soil analysis conducted with the University of Córdoba's Department of Plant Science. -Perimeter planting: native trees, shrubs, and aromatic plants are planted around the vineyard edges to attract and retain the insects drawn by the flowering ground cover—using only species native to the local area to support natural adaptation. -Supporting rather than intervening: management follows a philosophy of observing natural processes (species evolution, seasonal weather) and acting only to support them, rather than actively controlling the ecosystem. -Microalgae application: used on soil and leaves as a catalyst to boost soil conductivity. -Pollinator cultivation: partnering with a company to cultivate specific bee/wasp populations that in turn attract other beneficial insects, supporting pollination across vines and fruit trees. -Scientific monitoring and validation: collaboration with universities (Córdoba, Seville) to analyze microorganisms and yeasts generated on grape skins and leaves, demonstrating measurable improvements in organoleptic potential and aging/preservation quality. -Comparative monitoring: using regional designation-of-origin data to track disease pressure (e.g., downy mildew) and confirm that the vineyard's natural defenses, while sometimes less effective against acute outbreaks than conventional treatment, reflect a more resilient overall system. The result, according to Robles, is a vineyard ecosystem where increased insect diversity (lacewings, beetles, wasps, bees, flies) and bird presence signal a self-reinforcing food chain, producing wines of demonstrably higher quality and market recognition—while also, in the speaker's account, making the farming work more fulfilling. |
| Country: | Spain |
| Type of Practice Tool: | Video |
| Keywords: | climate change, climate change adaptation, resilience, viticulture, grapes |
| Agrovoc keywords: | Language Value URI English climate change http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1666 English climate change adaptation http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374567058134 English climate-smart agriculture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1361789093890 English resilience http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374480530924 English viticulture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8277 English grapes http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3359 |
| Subjects: | Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services Crop husbandry > Production systems > Fruit and berries > Viticulture Environmental aspects |
| Research affiliation: | European Union > Horizon Europe > OrganicClimateNET > created in project Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Knowledge exchange > Videos Spain > Other organizations Spain European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge |
| Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number: | 101136880 |
| Related Links: | https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57894, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57893, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57661, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54376, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54463, https://organicclimatenet.eu/ |
| Project ID: | OFK |
| Deposited By: | Dietemann, Lauren |
| ID Code: | 57894 |
| Deposited On: | 15 Jul 2026 12:38 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Jul 2026 12:38 |
| Document Language: | English, German/Deutsch, Dutch/Nederlands, Estonian/Eesti, Finnish/Suomea, French/Francais, Italian/Italiano, Latvian/Lettish/Latviesu, Polish/Polski, Portuguese/Portugues, Romanian/Română, Spanish/Español |
| Status: | Published |
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