A multidisciplinary approach to grapevine zoning using GIS technology: An example of thermal data elaboration

A large number of studies have been devoted to the quantitative assessment of the climate effects upon the quality of vineyards in many different climatic contexts. Generally the grapevine vocation of a territory may be studied through mono or multidisciplinary approaches. Viticultural zoning approaches permit to increase our knowledge on the complex reality among grapevine and environment interactions, in order to evaluate the potentiality of an area necessary to obtain a data level of grape quality. In this study we will to suggest a multidisciplinary approach to zoning, G.I.S.-technology-based. The presented method permit possible combinations of “information layers”, for example: climatic data (air temperature, rainfalls, wind direction and velocity, global and direct radiation), with grapevine informations (thermal needs necessary to obtain a data maturation level of the grape, daily potential evapotranspiration), or soil informations (slope, geology, topography), in order to analyse their correlations. According the method, is possible to present the obtained results clearly on builted computer maps. The method may consider different preliminary approaches to the data elaboration (maked with a specific computer program) on the basis of the type of data (for example: a climatic factor) considered. In the present contribute an example of thermal data elaboration (air temperature) combined with the information derived from the heat requirements of a group of 22 grapevines is presented, on the basis of an experience conducted in an area of the province of Benevento (Campania region, southern Italy). In the proposed example, the method combine the said thermal informations with the Amerine–Winkler bioclimatic index, permitting to obtain a subdivision of the considered territory in five areas, according their thermal suitability (from less than 1200 to 2000 degree-days). Through the model it was possible to elaborate a map of the thermal suitability of the considered grapevines, being possible to have an optimal placing of the grapevines in the various zones of the considered territory.