Climate change, wine, and conservation

Climate change is expected to directly and indirectly impact ecosystems. Wine grape production provides a good test case for measuring indirect impacts mediated by changes in agriculture, because viticulture is sensitive to climate and is concentrated in Mediterranean climate regions that are global biodiversity hotspots. This paper shows that the area suitable for viticulture is expected to decrease of 25% to 73% in major wine producing regions by 2050 in the higher RCP 8.5 concentration pathway and 19% to 62% in the lower RCP 4.5. Climate change may cause establishment of vineyards at higher elevations that will increase impacts on upland ecosystems and may lead to conversion of natural vegetation as production shifts to higher latitudes in areas such as western North America. Agricultural adaptation and conservation efforts are needed that anticipate these possible effects. To maintain wine grape productivity and quality an increased water use for irrigation and cool grapes through misting or sprinkling, creating potential for freshwater conservation impacts will be required.