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Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture

Smart slope runoff management to protect vineyards in Portugal’s Douro Valley

Introduction This project focuses on combating soil erosion and stabilizing steep vineyard slopes in the Douro Valley, Portugal, through advanced high-resolution runoff mapping and hydraulic modelling. By designing tailored drainage systems that effectively manage water flow, the initiative aims to preserve valuable soil, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the resilience of slope farms against extreme weather events.
Country Portugal
Start date
Status Ongoing
Objective / Goal To reduce soil erosion, improve water retention, and provide structural stability to steep vineyard slopes in the Douro Valley by utilizing high-resolution mapping and hydraulic modelling to design efficient drainage systems. The initiative also aims to lower ongoing maintenance and repair expenses by preventing landslides and terrace failures.
Beneficiaries
  • Vineyard farmers managing steep slopes
  • Agricultural companies specializing in hillside viticulture
Activities
  • Conducting high-resolution spatial mapping of vineyard slopes to capture detailed terrain data
  • Analyzing slope hydraulics and soil dynamics to understand water flow and erosion patterns
  • Modelling slope instability and water drainage to identify critical risk zones
  • Designing and implementing customized drainage systems that efficiently direct water away from vulnerable soil areas while preserving soil moisture
Impact
  • Enhanced cost efficiency by aligning drainage designs with actual water depth and flow rates
  • Significant reduction in repair costs related to landslides, terrace damage, and broken water lines
  • Proven resilience during an extreme downpour (41 mm in 1 hour, May 28th, 2023), where treated slopes maintained soil integrity unlike nearby untreated areas
More on this topic EMS2021 Conference Paper
ScienceDirect Article 1
Bio-Conference Paper
ScienceDirect Article 2
Tags climate resili Douro Valley extreme weather events soil conservation soil degradation water management