Agroforestry in Viticulture at the Domaine de la Massole

Three Main
Missions: Promoting Knowledge About the Region’s
Biodiversity. This mission involves establishing and coordinating the Occitanie Regional Biodiversity Observatory, as well as developing and disseminating communication materials to help the general public and elected officials better understand biodiversity issues.

Networking biodiversity stakeholders at the regional
level This mission aims to create and manage the regional network of natural area managers in Occitanie, as well as the regional forum for ARB stakeholders.

Supporting Project
Leaders Our mission is to encourage and support project leaders to promote the integration of biodiversity into social and professional practices and enable the implementation of concrete actions. To this end, a roadmap is developed in collaboration with our technical and institutional partners.

The LIFE ARTISAN
Project The LIFE ARTISAN project (Increasing Territorial Resilience to Climate Change by Promoting Nature-Based Adaptation Solutions) aims to create, over the course of eight years, the conditions for the widespread adoption of Nature-Based Solutions for climate change adaptation throughout France. It thus contributes to the implementation of France’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC) and Biodiversity Plan.

Supported by the efforts of 28 partners, the initiative is dedicated to:

• Demonstrating and promoting the potential of Nature-Based Adaptation Solutions (NBAS), particularly through the demonstration program comprising 10 pilot sites.
• Raising awareness and building capacity among stakeholders on this topic.
• Supporting and scaling up NbSA projects throughout the country (including overseas territories).
  Through the implementation of 40 actions, the ARTISAN Integrated LIFE Project aims to create a framework conducive to the implementation of NBS at all levels: national, regional, and local.

Agroforestry in Wine-Growing Regions

Objectives:
Address drought and extreme heat;
Preserve soil;        
Improve biodiversity and ecological connectivity; Enhance
the landscape;
Protect the Libron watershed from pollution;
Promote natural pest control

STUDY COMPONENT: Self-assessment of the estate regarding biodiversity and water quality, as part of the Biodiv’eau program

TECHNICAL
COMPONENT ▪ Transition to organic
farming ▪ Planting 7 km of hedgerows composed mainly of native species, along plot boundaries or within plots during replanting (3.5 km in 2018 and ≈ 200 m/year in other years)
▪ Allowing spontaneous vegetation to grow between rows every other year to keep the soil moist, and approximately every 3 years, sowing multi-species cover crops (including nitrogen-fixing and honey-producing plants)
▪ Differentiated mowing management designed to respect the biological cycles of species
▪ Varietal and genetic diversity in the vineyards, hedgerows, and orchard
▪ Restoration of a pond connected to the hedgerow network

OUTREACH COMPONENT: Accessibility of the estate to various users; hosting training sessions and school visits

Summary

• 7 km of hedgerows
•  69 native tree species
• 40 ha of preserved soil

The 7,000 trees planted provide shade as well as shelter and food for wildlife, which now appears to be more abundant.

 Soil quality has improved thanks to ground cover: the soil is cooler and moister, less compacted and more fertile, contains more organic matter, and allows water to infiltrate more effectively.

Runoff has decreased, and gullies have disappeared.

Twenty-four grape varieties—old and well-suited to local soil and climate conditions—are cultivated.