Di Leginio, Marco (2025) Relationships between high quality viticulture, terroirs and land degradation processes: a multi- scale approach in Campania region. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to analyse the impact of land degradation processes, a phenomenon increasing at all geographical scales, on the wine sector, adopting a multi-scale approach. The research began with a general overview of the two main topics - land degradation and the wine sector - analysed at global, national, and regional levels, with a specific focus on the Campania region. The methodological approach started with the analysis of the geographical distribution of land degradation, following international standards and, in particular, the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) guidelines for assessing indicator 15.3.1. The focus was placed on the trajectory of the productivity index, considered the most significant parameter for the final outcome. Within the framework of this thesis, an alternative approach to the UNCCD methodology was tested, utilizing maximum NDVI values instead of annual mean. This method significantly improved the procedure for assessing indicator 15.3.1 showing several degraded areas within the DOC and DOCG coastal zones of Campania ("Asprinio d'Aversa DOC", "Campi Flegrei DOC" and "Ischia DOC"). Conversely, substantial stability was observed in the more inland areas (“Aglianico del Taburno DOCG” and “Taurasi DOCG”). The collection and subsequent analysis of a large viticultural dataset (over 400 data points from 2006 to 2023) concerning the main characteristics of white grapes belonging to the Falanghina Beneventana variety (pH, total acidity, sugar content in °Brix) enabled the exploration of the relationships between these parameters and territorial, climatic, and pedological variables. Despite the lack of precise georeferenced data, which limited the use of remote sensing data, it was possible to calculate a water availability index derived from physically based modelling and the characteristics of soil units. This approach enabled a better interpretation of the interactions between soil, plant, and climate, highlighting how the increase in drought events in recent years has led to a drastic reduction in grape acidity, only partially mitigated by the presence of soils with more resilient hydraulic properties to climate change. In the third and final part, the analysis moved to the farm scale, where the Bare Soil Frequency (BSF) index was applied to study land degradation in selected pilot farms. The use of the BSF index made it possible to identify interesting correlations between the main qualitative parameters of the grapes (tannins, total acidity, pH) and water stress conditions. The case studies involved Aglianico vineyards (red grape variety), both within the PSR ZOViSA project and through data collected in a previous PhD cycle. In both cases, the increase in the index was associated with higher pH values, a reduction in acidity, and a greater presence of tannins and some elements in the grape berries - features closely linked to the intrinsic characteristics of the soils. The overall results underline the importance of georeferencing sampling sites for the effective application of satellite indices even at the district scale, as in the case of the Valle Telesina. The results obtained at the farm scale suggest that remote sensing data can represent valid proxies for monitoring land degradation and support tools for wine zoning, both at the farm and territorial levels.

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