Biodiversity — Paroles de vignerons - Vinparleur

Observing biodiversity an agricultural environment - a project at the Domaine de l’Arjolle

Permalink, by Domaine de l’Arjolle

Together with other wine growers of the Côtes de Thongue, the Domaine de l’Arjolle participates in the first national project for the observation biodiversity in agricultural areas.
This project, initiated by the French National Museum of Natural History and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to better understand biodiversity in agricultural areas, and to follow its evolution in relation to cultivation. The farmers participating in this voluntary action observe biodiversity on their land using standardized protocols.

At the Domaine de l’Arjolle, we have chosen the protocol « earth worms » and "solitary bees”.

A first observation of earthworms was conducted on April 5, 2011 in a vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon. After having sprayed 10 litres of water enriched by 150 g of strong mustard on three different plots of 1 m² each, the upcoming worms were counted. Earthworms actually are excellent indicators for soil quality, being also highly involved in its fertility and aeration. 10, 19 and 28 earthworms a time were counted at the three different plots – a good start.

As they were not available before, the nest boxes for the solitary bees have only been installed towards the end of May, about 1 meter high at different places in our vineyards.

In fact, the boxes are made of a certain number of small tubes, where the solitary bees can lay their eggs. The number of occupied tubes, the type of wax-closure used and the number of solitary bees observed in our vineyards will be regularly written down in the observation reports.

Another earthworm counting will be carried out this winter. Until then, we will surely keep you informed about our bee-project.

Domaine de l’Arjolle - always a little further for biodiversity !
2010 was the official United Nations International Year of Biodiversity.

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel, Wine Press...

2010 has been officially declared “year of biodiversity” by the UNO. Ever since, a multitude of regional surveys of the flora and fauna in many countries, as well as work programmes to enhance agricultural environments have been established. In the Mediterranean vineyards of the Cotes de Thongue this work has already started several years ago.

Besides preservation and the embellishment of their landscapes, the winegrowers who participate in the programme also hope that natural enemies of plant pests benefit from an improved and balanced environment.

In an article written by Marina de Baleine and published in the Terre de Vin journal, Charles Duby from the Domaine de l’Arjolle explains that “the preservation of biodiversity, requires to create a specific environment: hedges and bushes between the vineyards, natural undergrowth between the vines and as less plant protection treatments as possible.”

After a first survey of the biodiversity of the area between Béziers and Pézenas, many private and cooperative winegrowers participate in the project. But they are already looking ahead.

“We have to share our experience to encourage our neighbours to join in the movement”, Charles Duby says. “The more wine growers participate, the more efficient our project will be.”

Read the entire article on biodiversity in the vineyards of the Côtes de Thongue here (french only)
The Arjolle evaluates its biodiversity

Permalink, by Sebastian Nickel, Domaine de l’Arjolle
The primary regional survey of biodiversity, has given a good overview of the flora and fauna in the Côtes de Thongue wine area in southern France.

The studies revealed two major points:
- Biodiversity is very high in the whole area, including the presence of some rare bird species around the vineyards. A specific scheme should be established for the preservation and of these species.
- Biodiversity in the vineyards is more diverging. The floral and faunal great variety of each estate should now be determined by the individual winegrower.
At the Domaine de l’Arjolle, we have started our survey in October. After having determined the level of biodiversity in and around our vineyards, we will take the measures to eventually improve our natural environment. The results will make part of a regional survey of the Côtes de Thongue, to establish a detailed overview of the flora and fauna, aiming for a sustainable increase of biodiversity in our wine region.