https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/nres_rpt/8
Date of Award
8-2020
Degree Name
MS in Environmental Sciences and Management
Department
Natural Resources Management
College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Advisor
Nicholas Babin
Advisor Department
Natural Resources Management
Advisor College
College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences
Abstract
Global climate change is a process that is, in part, caused by agricultural practices, and will adversely affect agricultural operations, especially vineyards. The objective of this project is to determine how viticulturalists in Paso Robles, California view global climate change and how they use conservation practices that combat climate change and prepare for the associated negative effects. Interviews were conducted with vineyard advisors and managers to determine what general risks associated with wine grape production exist for their operations, and whether wine advisors and producers perceive global climate change to be one of those risks. The interview responses were then coded and after twenty interviews were conducted, the coded responses were compiled to determine trends and patterns. Qualitative analysis revealed that while nearly all wine advisors and producers perceived global climate change to be a risk to their operations, long-term planning and adoption of practices was limited due to the year-to-year nature of vineyard operations, meaning that most vineyards may not be prepared for negative impacts in the future.