Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MONTEVITIS (Integrating a Comprehensive European Approach for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Montenegro Viticulture)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-03-31
Many viticulturists, winegrowers and scientists are increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of high exposure and vulnerability of the winemaking sector to changing climates and more frequent and intense weather extremes. One of the fundamentals of winegrowing is that grapevines are highly sensitive to local terroirs, particularly to the prevailing soil and atmospheric conditions. This sector is indeed strongly controlled by atmospheric variability, in both the short-term (Meteorology) and long-term (Climatology). Modelling is a very useful tool for monitoring and predicting grapevine development (e.g. on daily, weekly, or seasonal timespans). For this purpose, weather/climate-crop model chains are commonly used for predicting the potential impacts on grapevines under different weather or climate conditions.
Montenegro, however, still lacks systematic and science-based knowledge on monitoring climate change effects in viticulture, as well as sophisticated tools for crop modelling. The available EU know-how in both climate and grapevine modelling can, thus, be comprehensively applied, adjusted and validated for Montenegro’s viticultural conditions. The MONTEVITIS aims to boost Montenegro’s S&T potential, as a Widening country in the Western Balkans, gearing up its research, influence, innovation, and educational practices in the areas of viticulture and oenology and integrating climate change.
The main objective of MONTEVITIS is to strengthen, homogenize and increase research and collaboration capacities and performance of Univerzitet Donja Gorica (UDG) and its involved faculties and labs in specific topics of climate change mitigation and adaptation in viticulture, both in Montenegro and across the European prospect. Three defined operational topics constitute the pertinent needs of an integrated and operational European approach to tackling climate change in viticulture, now to be applied in Montenegro via UDG. Firstly, the project will set up, integrate, and validate the following topics: 1) use and adaptation of existing analytical and modelling tools for assessing the impacts of climate change at regional levels, 2) understanding these impacts on the course of physiological processes in the vine, yield, ripening, and quality of grapes and wines of different varieties. MONTEVITIS will then 3) define precision viticulture technologies and management of different use case scenarios in vineyards.
Montenegro, however, still lacks systematic and science-based knowledge on monitoring climate change effects in viticulture, as well as sophisticated tools for crop modelling. The available EU know-how in both climate and grapevine modelling can, thus, be comprehensively applied, adjusted and validated for Montenegro’s viticultural conditions. The MONTEVITIS aims to boost Montenegro’s S&T potential, as a Widening country in the Western Balkans, gearing up its research, influence, innovation, and educational practices in the areas of viticulture and oenology and integrating climate change.
The main objective of MONTEVITIS is to strengthen, homogenize and increase research and collaboration capacities and performance of Univerzitet Donja Gorica (UDG) and its involved faculties and labs in specific topics of climate change mitigation and adaptation in viticulture, both in Montenegro and across the European prospect. Three defined operational topics constitute the pertinent needs of an integrated and operational European approach to tackling climate change in viticulture, now to be applied in Montenegro via UDG. Firstly, the project will set up, integrate, and validate the following topics: 1) use and adaptation of existing analytical and modelling tools for assessing the impacts of climate change at regional levels, 2) understanding these impacts on the course of physiological processes in the vine, yield, ripening, and quality of grapes and wines of different varieties. MONTEVITIS will then 3) define precision viticulture technologies and management of different use case scenarios in vineyards.
During the 15-month period, the activities carried out within the technical and scientific framework of the MONTEVITIS project made significant progress in enhancing viticulture sustainability and climate change mitigation in Montenegro.
In WP1, the project focused on data compilation and grapevine modeling. A comprehensive dataset was created, integrating meteorological data, grapevine growth parameters, remote sensing data, and measurements from IoT devices. A mobile application was also developed to facilitate systematic phenological data collection. The implementation of IoT systems in WP1 included installing sensor nodes in various vineyards to provide real-time environmental measurements such as temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. These measurements were integrated into a cloud platform for visualization and analysis.
WP2 focused on knowledge transfer and collaboration. IoT sensor nodes were successfully installed in four vineyards, providing high-resolution environmental data. A national climatic dataset and a grapevine parameter database were established, aiding the integration of phenological and crop models for viticulture.
WP5 aimed to ensure the project's sustainability and foster future collaborations. UDG’s research capacities were enhanced through capacity-building activities and research meetings. Eight research meetings were organized, leading to the publication of one scientific paper, while another two are being prepared. These activities have strengthened UDG’s research foundation and collaboration with consortium partners.
In WP1, the project focused on data compilation and grapevine modeling. A comprehensive dataset was created, integrating meteorological data, grapevine growth parameters, remote sensing data, and measurements from IoT devices. A mobile application was also developed to facilitate systematic phenological data collection. The implementation of IoT systems in WP1 included installing sensor nodes in various vineyards to provide real-time environmental measurements such as temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. These measurements were integrated into a cloud platform for visualization and analysis.
WP2 focused on knowledge transfer and collaboration. IoT sensor nodes were successfully installed in four vineyards, providing high-resolution environmental data. A national climatic dataset and a grapevine parameter database were established, aiding the integration of phenological and crop models for viticulture.
WP5 aimed to ensure the project's sustainability and foster future collaborations. UDG’s research capacities were enhanced through capacity-building activities and research meetings. Eight research meetings were organized, leading to the publication of one scientific paper, while another two are being prepared. These activities have strengthened UDG’s research foundation and collaboration with consortium partners.
The MONTEVITIS project aims to achieve results that go beyond the current state of the art in viticulture and climate change adaptation. The potential impacts of the project's outcomes address key challenges in the viticulture sector and offering solutions that can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
Extensive research by the UDG team has led to one published scientific research publication in M9 (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10152(opens in new window)) with two ongoing researches.
The project has developed a comprehensive dataset integrating meteorological, phenological, and IoT data, along with a DSP for viticulture management. These advancements will provide high-resolution environmental data and real-time decision-making tools, significantly enhancing precision viticulture practices. Additionally, the development of a phenology mobile application enables systematic data collection on grapevine growth stages, improving the accuracy and efficiency of vineyard management. The potential impacts include improved vineyard management, better adaptation strategies to climate change, and increased research and collaboration capacities at UDG.
To ensure further uptake and success, key needs include ongoing research and development to upgrade the DSP and showcase the benefits to local and international stakeholders, international collaboration for knowledge exchange, and a supportive regulatory and standardization framework to facilitate the integration and adoption of new technologies.
Extensive research by the UDG team has led to one published scientific research publication in M9 (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/18/10152(opens in new window)) with two ongoing researches.
The project has developed a comprehensive dataset integrating meteorological, phenological, and IoT data, along with a DSP for viticulture management. These advancements will provide high-resolution environmental data and real-time decision-making tools, significantly enhancing precision viticulture practices. Additionally, the development of a phenology mobile application enables systematic data collection on grapevine growth stages, improving the accuracy and efficiency of vineyard management. The potential impacts include improved vineyard management, better adaptation strategies to climate change, and increased research and collaboration capacities at UDG.
To ensure further uptake and success, key needs include ongoing research and development to upgrade the DSP and showcase the benefits to local and international stakeholders, international collaboration for knowledge exchange, and a supportive regulatory and standardization framework to facilitate the integration and adoption of new technologies.