La diversità vegetale del vigneto.

In areas of intensive agriculture wild plant species are often confined to field margins, thus representing a great source of biodiversity. The aim of the study was to assess plant diversity in an area of intensive viticulture evaluating the impact of field margins on vineyard flora. The study was conducted in Barolo winegrowing area (NW Italy), comparing five categories of vineyard-margin pairs. A floristic survey was carried out taking into account both vineyards and margins. Five margins were identified: grasscovered (A) and bare (B) headlands, small (C) and wide (D) woodlands, and shrub and herbaceous (E) areas. Several taxa were found (252) Although only 19 were widespread. Comparing the flora of different margins, quantitative differences among categories emerged, highlighting the high floristic complexity of the sites surrounded by wide wooded areas. The findings suggest an influence of margin type and size on the vineyard floristic richness. Moreover, an inverse relationship between species richness and both the presence of Poaceae and the degree of soil grass coverage emerged. Appropriately managing cover crops and preserving or creating ecological infrastructures within and around vineyards, could be a suitable strategy in sustainable viticulture to enhance biodiversity, at landscape and field scale.