Soil erosion in viticulture: Trier is researching digital solutions!

Soil erosion in viticulture: Trier is researching digital solutions!

Soil erosion poses a serious threat to viticulture, especially on slopes. Extreme weather events, such as drought and heavy rain, lead to increased erosion and washing away of soil. In this context the describes University of Trier that an international research project wants to develop current solutions for winemakers. The project entitled “Sustainable Soil Management Decision Support System in Viticulture” is supported by the European Union and aims to provide digital tools for soil protection.

A team of four researchers from Trier who specialize in physical geography will work on this project. Dr. Manuel Seeger, senior academic advisor in this department, emphasizes that the wine-growing regions in Trier and Granada have comparable conditions. The team will therefore travel to Andalusia in March 2024 to analyze the conditions there.

Digital solutions for winemakers

The planned digital tool in the form of an app will help winemakers make informed decisions regarding soil protection. The app will provide comprehensive information on soil conditions, the creation of greenery and pest detection. The Trier researchers bring their extensive experience in terrain measurements, drone images and vegetation documentation to the project.

The willingness to implement protective measures against soil erosion is already high in Germany. International partners from the fields of sociology and human geography will also work together as part of the project. These analyze the willingness and perception of Spanish and Greek winemakers towards new solutions. After a four-year funding period, the applicability of this methodology to other sectors of agriculture will finally be examined.

Global soil quality challenges

The challenges of soil erosion are not just limited to the wine industry. A current report published as part of the Climate Reporters is being discussed, points out that around 40% of soils worldwide are considered to be degraded. In addition to extreme weather events, the causes include intensive soil cultivation, the use of pesticides and urbanization. These factors contribute to the deterioration of soil quality and have serious implications for world food security and climate stability.

Historical soil degradation has been observed since the 1970s. The urgency of this issue is underlined once again in view of the 16th Summit of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh. In 2023, there have been reports of dramatic land degradation threatening the survival of humanity. The area of ​​agriculturally degraded areas is growing by around one million square kilometers annually and affects 1.8 billion people, especially in the world's poorest countries.

Given these global challenges, sustainable solutions are essential. The use of new technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence, could help combat land degradation while increasing agricultural productivity. The need for agricultural structural reforms and better water management is becoming increasingly clear in order to solve existing problems and ensure long-term food security.