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Biodiversity in the Côtes de Thongue
Appellation Area
“When grape growing rhymes with the quality of
the landscape, biological diversity and sustainable development.”
At the present time conserving biodiversity is a major challenge
for us all. So the wine growers of the Côtes
de Thongue, a Protected Geographic Indication in the
Languedoc, are undertaking an approach to protect the grape growing
landscape and conserve particular species of fauna
and flora, by focussing on the ecological functions guaranteed by biodiversity.
It was through realising that significant changes were occurring
in the landscape of its territory that the Côtes
de Thongue Wine Growers Association launched a program for “Biodiversity
in the Côtes de
Thongue Appellation Area”.
For this reason, in 2008 the Association hosted a group of students
from SupAgro (International Centre for Higher Education in Agronomy) and they
conducted an
investigation in the field among the wine growers of the Côtes
de Thongue regarding their vineyard cultivation methods
and the upkeep of the field borders as well as their attitudes on matters concerning the environment.
When the findings of the investigation confirmed that the wine
growers were indeed interested in conserving their
environment, their life style and their production.
Thus, in 2009, with financial aid from the Languedoc Roussillon Region and the Hérault Department the Association
entrusted the Natural Areas Conservatoire
of Languedoc
Roussillon with conducting an analysis
of biodiversity.
This study, where the scientific method of landscape analysis made
use of refined cartography, aerial photos and systematic
inventories, enabled the major challenges of biodiversity,
the remarkable species present and the nine landscape types
in the territory to be identified. These conclusions, collated
with an inventory of agricultural methods meant the
link could be established between landscape, biodiversity
and management of the area’s environment and
thus design the basis for the program to be launched this year.
The first step consists of increasing awareness by organising training
sessions designed for wine growers and local figures
(green area technicians, local councillors and so
on) to initiate them in practices that encourage the maintenance of
biodiversity through the recognition of fauna and flora, the fight
against invading weeds and finally being able to assess
the biodiversity potential of their vineyard.
The second step, regarding environmental management, will comprise implementation
of sound practices for the vine and the upkeep of field borders
and neglected land. An assessment system will then be introduced.
Lastly, concerning the aims of the development plan, the third
step is to restore the landscape and strengthen biodiversity.
Finally, in implementing the plan, the Association and the Communities
of the Pays de Thongue have just submitted
an application to the Rural Excellence Centre, whose clearly established, ambitious actions can only assist this fascinating project.
In de Thongue territory, the revolution has begun!
Les Pieds dans l'Eau
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Les Estivales 2010
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