About Vinecology

VINECOLOGY was initiated by students and researchers at the University of California, Davis with the goal of developing a world-wide, collaborative network of students, industry professionals, non-profits, and academic researchers that share an interest in improving the science and practice of biodiversity conservation in vineyard-dominated landscapes.

Our goal is to promote research, education, and collaboration that will contribute to effective conservation strategies that draw on our collective knowledge but are tailored to the unique conditions of individual sites and needs of particular growers. In order to accomplish this we are seeking to: 1) improve our scientific understanding of the interaction between vineyards and native habitats; and 2) increase the exchange of information, ideas, and expertise between academic and industry professionals from around the world.

This initiative is in its infancy and we are actively seeking new partners and participants.

Why Vineyards?

Even though total worldwide vineyard area is relatively small compared to areas dedicated to other agricultural crops, there are some compelling reasons for a concentrated focus on conservation in vineyard landscapes. Namely, the environmental conditions that are often associated with biodiversity and endemism are also highly sought-after landscape characteristics for growing premium wine grapes. As a result, in regions with increasing vineyard development for premium wine production, new vineyards tend to be developed in areas with unique environmental characteristics that were not formerly used for agriculture, resulting in loss of natural habitat in areas known for their biodiversity. This is particularly true in Mediterranean regions around the world, including California, South Africa, Australia, and Chile. We seek to understand how best to preserve the character of these unique and fragile lands, while conducting winegrowing in a sustainable fashion.

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Direct email: vinecology@gmail.com