LIFE VinEcoS

Boosting biodiversity on vineyards in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, to make them more climate resilient.

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LIFE VinEcoS boosted biodiversity on vineyards in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, making them more climate resilient. The team added wild seed mixtures to steep slopes, reducing soil erosion and water stress. Results show that the number of plant species increased considerably compared to conventional plots. Sheep grazing and the seed mixtures improved vegetation cover, preventing soil from being washed down hillsides after heavy rainfall. Also, wild bee numbers increased by more than 200%. The team developed a toolset to evaluate ecosystem services in the vineyards. The project helped maintain around 1 000 jobs in the winemaking sector and gave other vineyards the tools to better adapt to climate change.