Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

The Expected Impact of Climate in the Grapevine Culture, in Madeira Region, Portugal
Fabrício Lopes de Macedo, Miguel Ângelo Almeida Pinheiro de Carvalho

Abstract
It's increasingly important to know the effects of climate change on crops. This study aimed to determine the bioclimatic indices for the main wine-growing areas of Madeira island, for the current period and for two simulated climate scenarios to understand the potential and limits that will be imposed on the development of vine culture. The climate characterization process was mainly based on the Multicriteria Climatic Classification System (Géoviticulture MCC System) and used for the Winkler Index (WI), used to describe the suitability of crop cultivation in different climates. Heliothermal Index (HI) in general, showed that the regions analysed will not change in terms of heat accumulation, except for the region of Quinta Grande and Santana. For the Night Cold Index (CI), the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, and Santana currently have minimum ideal temperatures for a good maturation of the vineyards. The Dryness Index (DI) showed that currently and in the simulated scenarios, all regions have not suffered from drastic water restrictions. In the regions of Quinta Grande, São Vicente, Ponta do Pargo, and Santana according to the Winkler Index (WI), the quality of the wines will change if the results of the simulations come true.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v11n1a2