Extensive vineyard management and semi-natural habitats increase biodiversity and ecosystem services: insights from a global meta-analysis

March 31, 2026, in Research & Reviews

Biodiversity

Ecosystem services

A 2025 global meta-analysis by Silvia Winter et al., in Science of the Total Environment found that less intensive vineyard management increases biodiversity and ecosystem services by about 14% overall, with minimal trade-offs except for reduced yields in organic systems.

Headline Findings

Extensive vineyard management → +14% biodiversity & ecosystem services overall
Strongest gains: carbon storage (+38%), erosion control (+26%), soil fertility (+20%), pest control (+16%)
Semi-natural habitats → further boost pest control
No major overall trade-offs between biodiversity and production
Organic systems: ~−20% yield, but quality maintained
Key drivers: cover crops ↑ benefits; herbicides & pesticides ↓ benefits

Methods

Study type: Global meta-analysis
Data: Results from many published vineyard studies comparing extensive vs intensive management
Scope: Multiple regions, climates, and management systems (including organic)
Outcomes measured:
– Biodiversity (plants, insects, etc.)
Ecosystem services (carbon storage, soil fertility, pest control, erosion control)
Production metrics (yield, grape quality)
Analysis approach:
Calculated effect sizes (percentage change under extensive management)
Compared across management practices (e.g., cover crops, pesticide use)
Tested influence of landscape context (e.g., semi-natural habitats)

Results

Overall effect: Extensive management → +14% biodiversity & ecosystem services
Ecosystem services increased:
Carbon storage +38%
Erosion control +26%
Soil fertility +20%
Pest control +16%
Landscape matters: Semi-natural habitats enhance pest control benefits
Trade-offs:
No major overall trade-off between biodiversity and production
Organic systems: ~−20% yield, but grape quality maintained
Key drivers:
Cover crops → stronger positive effects
Herbicides/pesticides → reduce benefits

Read the original study here.

Read it here

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