Topography-induced microclimate differences determine the local spatial variation of soil characteristics as topographic factors may play the most essential role in changing the climatic pattern. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) with respect to the slope gradient and aspect, and to quantify their influence on SOC within different land use/cover classes. The study area is the Region of Niš in Serbia, which is characterized by complex topography with large variability in the spatial distribution of SOC. Soil samples at 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm were collected from different slope gradients and aspects in each of the three land use/cover classes. The results showed that the slope aspect significantly influenced the spatial distribution of SOC in the forest and vineyard soils, where N- and NW-facing soils had the highest level of organic carbon in the topsoil. There were no similar patterns in the uncultivated land. No significant differences were found in the subsoil. Organic carbon content was higher in the topsoil, regardless of the slope of the terrain. The mean SOC content in forest land decreased with increasing slope, but the difference was not statistically significant. In vineyards and uncultivated land, the SOC content was not predominantly determined by the slope gradient. No significant variations across slope gradients were found for all observed soil properties, except for available phosphorus and potassium. A positive correlation was observed between SOC and total nitrogen, clay, silt, and available phosphorus and potassium, while a negative correlation with coarse sand was detected. The slope aspect in relation to different land use/cover classes could provide an important reference for land management strategies in light of sustainable development.

Due to specific soil properties and management practices, soils in vineyards are sensitive to degradation. The aims of this study were to examine (i) the state of soil organic carbon (SOC) in vineyards compared to other agricultural land, (ii) the influence of different fertilization strategies and soil type on SOC content and (iii) the rate of SOC change over time and potential of deep tillage for SOC preservation in subsoil. The study was carried out at 16 representative vineyard locations of the Tri Morave region, which represents the largest vine growing region in Serbia. The analyzed area included 56 vineyard plots. Results showed that SOC stocks in the topsoil and subsoil were lower than the average for agricultural land in Serbia. The soil type was an important predictor of carbon storage in the topsoil. An adequate application of inorganic fertilizers or green manure combined with farmyard manure initially resulted in the highest SOC contents. Continuous application of inorganic fertilizer without organic amendments has led to a decrease of SOC in topsoil. High rates of SOC stock change in topsoil accompanied a rapid reduction of SOC in the earlier stage of cultivation. In all investigated subsoils, SOC increased, except for unfertilized vineyards. Deep tillage has the potential to preserve SOC in the deeper soil layer and prevent carbon loss from the topsoil. More attention should be paid to the soil conservation practices to meet environmental sustainability of viticulture.

Growing interest in Serbia in adaptation of viticulture to climate change emerged from a recorded positive impact of summer increased draught on domestic wine quality. Another motivation is that viticulture has been recognized as one of the fastest developing agricultural sectors in Serbia and, to contain its growing potential, it is crucial to provide basis for its future sustainable development. Prioritization and implementation of adaptation measures in practice require reliable assessment of climate projections. For climate change impact assessment is used high resolution multi-model ensemble of nine regional climate models simulations, bias corrected, with two most probable future scenarios of GHG emissions RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, for the period 2016-2100. Analysis has been done for the near future, mid-century and end of the century periods. The periods are defined according to the IPCC 5^thAssessment Report, which enables comparison of climate change impacts with a wider region, and preferably motivate future international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Compared to the previous period, the vineyard area in the Republic of Serbia has decreased significantly. Although the planting of new vineyards is subsidized over a long period of time, not enough vineyards are planted to ensure self-sufficiency in domestic grapes, wine (wine products) and spirit drinks originating from grapes. This is especially case for vineyards with local grapevine varieties, which can be of great importance for the rural development and promotion. In this paper, utilized time series analysis, spe?cifically Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modeling was used to predict the dynamics of newly planted vineyard areas with all grapevine varieties and local grapevine varieties based on data from the previous 20 years (period from 2003 to 2022). The aim is to forecast the trends of newly planted vineyard areas, both for all grapevine varieties and vineyards with local grapevine varieties, for the period from 2023 to 2027. A time series refers to a structured sequence of observations. The structuring is frequently done in terms of time intervals. Forecasting time series data, or determining future trends, is one of the most crucial goals of time series analysis. Based on such analysis, it is possible to forecast the expansion of vineyard areas for the upcoming period. ARIMA models helped to determine five-year trends in data on newly planted vineyard areas. The forecast made in this paper showed that vineyard area of all grapevine varieties would be planted at an an?nual range of about 230 and 300 hectares over the next five years. The forecast for future annual planting for the same period (2023-2027) of vineyards with local grapevine varieties is in the range of only about 10 to 60 hectares. The obtained ARIMA forecast results, espe?cially for the forecasts for planting vineyards with local grapevine varieties, show that it is necessary to pay special attention to this problem and to initiate numerous measures and activities in order to increase the area of vineyards with local grapevine varieties in the Republic of Serbia.

Grapevine belongs to the group of essential agro-food products. Moreover, through the presence of autochthonous varieties it could bear the part of cultural and ethnic identity of certain nation or local community. The main goal of the paper is to assess if there is general economic competitiveness for the farm contained in growing autochthonous (local) contrary to widely recognized international grapevine varieties with the purpose of producing white wines. Method used implies calculation of contribution margin, and determination of critical values in grapevine production. Analyzed data set was gained from the producer located in the Tri Morave wine-growing region (PDO), Trstenik wine-growing subregion in central Serbia. Gained results showed that in circumstances of growing demand of white wine better economic competitiveness could be derived from autochthonous (local) than international variety growing. Obtained results could be used in popularization of autochthonous and regional varieties growing at national level.

The starting point for every viticultural and wine-producing country with respect to local grapevine varieties is their identification, inventory, preservation and development of genetic resources of those varieties. There are currently 224 grapevine va?rieties cultivated in Serbia for the purpose of commercial production of grapes and wine. Out of that number, 31 wine varieties are local. Vineyards under those varieties can be dif?ferentiated by their importance for production of grapes and wine, and by the level of their endangerment, that is, sustainability in conditions caused by climate changes. This paper presents the creation, that is, the modeling of the Method for Vineyard Sustainability Clas?wine grapevine varieties on grounds of their endangerment and sustainability, based on 20 examined and categorized individual vineyard sustainability parameters; to carry out comsification (MVSC). The purpose of MVSC classification is: to valorize vineyards with local prehensive classification into one of the four established vineyard sustainability classes (Class A - very endangered vineyards, Class B - endangered vineyards, Class C - sustainable vineyards and Class D - very sustainable vineyards); spatial identification and presentation of vineyards based on determined vineyard sustainability class through application of GIS technology; and finally, application of Network Analysis (NA), prioritization of examined parameters and, therefore, vineyards. A total of 10,402 vineyards under local grapevine wine varieties were used for modeling, and it was determined that 29 vineyards with the total surface of 1.2 hectares should be classified in Class A, while 2,883 vineyards with the total surface of 158.2 hectares should be classified in Class B. With respect to the strength of 20 individual vineyard sustainability parameters, it was determined that the parameter Structure of the vine rootstock (SVR) has the greatest impact, and priority in selection of vineyards in different sustainability classes should be given to vineyards without rootstocks. In accordance with the scientific justification of obtained results, the MVSC enables comprehensive clas?sification of the potential for sustainability of genetic resources of local grapevine varieties in Serbia, and it can be applied in other countries and wine-growing areas, as well as to other groups of grapevine varieties.