Evaluation of the biodiversity and multifunctionality of the soil as an ecological indicator for the sustainable management of vineyards in Northern Spain (SosVidSoil)

Soil is a non-renewable resource that supports biodiversity and vital ecosystem services. Maintaining soil quality is key to sustaining crop yield and health. Different soil organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and microarthropods, play roles in ecological functions at various scales. The SosVidSoil project studied how sustainable practices, like organic farming and no-tillage, affect soil biodiversity and function in vineyards in DOCa Rioja and DO Navarra, Spain. Using both traditional and molecular methods, researchers analyzed 24 vineyards under ecological or integrated management and with tillage or cover crops. Results aim to link specific soil communities to indicators of health, showing how low-impact practices can benefit vineyard ecosystems and support organic viticulture.