Ecological factors Flashcards
Ecological dimensions TOW
Ecological Dimensions including environmental constraints, climate, and human impacts on the environment such as pollution and ecological sustainability:
Environmental Constraints/Issues (precipitation, soil, pests/diseases, weeds
Precipitation
Issue: Rain in HV is inconsistent, 750mm on average over inconsistent periods (2002-2007 in drought)
Viticulture requires high quantities of water prior to harvesting and flowering
In response to this, Tambourlaine have moved 70% of production to Orange (1997) where there is 900 mm of rainfall per year
In response to this, Tambourlaine (in HV) have invested in a drip irrigation system, with 15,000 drip filters to solve inconsistent rain issues
When not being used, the water the irrigation systems collect are stored in a 2 mgL dam
In response to this, Tambourlaine have also built a water retention and recycling system to reduce costs and reduce the burden on local waterways
1L of wine takes 870L of water to produce (general)
At TOW, 1L of wine takes 60L of water to produce
Recycling 100% of wastewater and aerate it so it’s safe to use
Soil
Issue: soil in HV is sandy and low in nutrients (wine growing soil requires approx. 12% carbon… HV soil has 5%)
In response to this, TOW moved production to Orange where soil is volcanic and clay-based, making it nutrient rich
In response to this, TOW use fertilisers
TOW are organic so cannot use most fertilisers
Natural fertilisers such as seaweed, nettle and blood and bone tea to access nutrients
Additionally, TOW have an 8T vertical composting unit where they put their scraps and waste (grape seeds/skins) → this is broken down and turned into mulch to be put on soil as a ‘humus layer’
Issue: sandy soil is prone to erosion (wind)
In response to this, companion cropping has been used → broad beans planted underneath the vines to stop erosion as the roots of these plants bind the soil together
Also adds nutrients to the soil
Pests/Diseases
Issue: Light brown apple moth
In response to this, introducing native predators e.g. wasps
Weeds
Issue: Pock weeds/mildews
In response to this, TOW use these pockweeds and mildews as companion crops, natural oils and for mechanical pruning
How TOW look to reduce human impact on the environment
→ Viticulture, as a monoculture, removes biodiversity from ecosystems and can have a significant impact on biodiversity as it pollutes and depletes the local ecosystem
→ TOW have an organic approach focused on environmental sustainability
→ TOW has an environmental management system (2003) that focuses on…
Use of land
Issue: monocultures strip the soil of nutrients and reduce biodiversity
Solution:
Use of natural fertilisers and pesticides → sustainable farming of grapes to ensure future use of the land
Companion cropping e.g. broad beans to encourage biodiversity
Use of water
Issue: viticulture uses 870L of water per 1L of wine produced
Solution:
100% recycling of wastewater → screen, filter and aerate their water so it can be used again (breaking down bacteria)
Water retention scheme (rainwater catchment)
Drip irrigation system (water efficient results in less water lost)
Use of energy
Issue: Wine-making is reliant on air-conditioning, which uses lots of energy
Solution:
energy efficient solar lighting
Re-engineered refrigeration system
Waste management
Materials
