Vinegrape (Vitis vinifera L.) adaptation to climate variability at meso-scale in southern Uruguay

Doctoral thesis abstract

Abstract

To determine the vulnerability of viticulture farming system to climate change (CC) and variability, the knowledge of climate exposure over the region, sensitivity and adaptive capacity provided by the winegrowers through their “savoir-faire” is primordial to contribute to adaptation issues to CC. The aim of this study was to define climate variability of the southern coastal wine region of Uruguay, evaluate its possible impacts in vinegrape and to provide adaptative responses in the context of CC. Ten plots were installed in commercial vineyards of Tannat over Canelones and Montevideo region at different distances to the Río de la Plata to analyze grapevine behavior and temperature variability. Spatial and temporal variability of temperature was defined over the coastal region at meso-scale. At a fine scale, it was studied the sea breeze penetration and its impacts in the diurnal thermal evolution. The Río de la Plata through the sea breeze effect is one of the principal climate components in the southern wine region. Temperature grapevine sensitivity on berry composition at harvest is explained by climate general conditions during ripening (thermal and hydric conditions). The principal actors (winegrowers and advisors) know the local climate variability and have well identified unfavorable climate conditions to produce high quality grapes. However, climate seemed to be not relevant in producers’ decision making, but in an underlined way, its plays a fundamental role in vineyard management. Adaptation measures to local climate variability were identified by strategies proposed from the local knowledge.