SOS for endangered traditional vine varieties

The project addresses the main common challenges and problems in the CB area related to the local biodiversity and vine varieties, especially those in Natura 2000 sites. The high level of local biodiversity is threatened by undesirable loss of genetic material due to climate change and human activities related to agriculture, tourism and urban development. The reduction or even disappearance of many local vine genotypes is the result of contemporary wine production and the introduction of new varieties over the past years. Despite foreign, the local varieties have excellent adaptation to the microenvironment, and their cultivation contributes to the sustainability of natural resources at the local level.
The main project objective is to promote and enable the long-term conservation of vines, especially those in Natura 2000, and to improve the conservation status of local vine varieties; to analyse and sustain local species through joint scientific work and to create mechanisms for the protection and conservation of species in general that can be used for other species and regions. Common measures and activities are required to protect and conserve the local vine varieties, which is the approach of the new solution the project provides – joint DNA analysis and research, joint trainings and workshops for representatives of the target group and the development of an Integrated Strategy for management of local biodiversity in terms of traditional vines.