Thesis
Developing a grape site selection GIS for the Inland Pacific Northwest
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100336
Abstract
Site selection is of the utmost importance in production of Vitis vinifera L. (wine grape) and Vitis labruscana Bailey (juice grape). Grape production is a large and expanding industry in the inland Pacific Northwest of the United States. Traditional means of site assessment rely on physical examination of topography, geomorphology, soil characteristics and analysis of long-term observations from weather stations. Through the use of modeled spatial data, this document presents a geographic information system representing environmental features important for predicting vineyard site suitability. Elevation, slope, aspect, solar insolation, heat accumulation, growing season length, soil drainage, available water-holding capacity, depth, pH, calcium carbonate content combine to represent composite topographic, edaphic and overall suitability. Modeled site suitabilities align well with descriptions of existing viticultural areas within the region as well as with perceptions of growers in established vineyards. Comprehensive spatial analysis provides a holistic view of viticultural areas, revealing conditions previously unseen through traditional site examination. Extracted climatic characteristics from vineyards mapped by cultivar begin to inform requirements for premium V. vinifera production based on indices developed in other wine regions. Continued validation efforts are underway and will additionally inform and improve the site selection model. Although this type of spatial analysis will never replace physical site examination for addressing specific site conditions, it allows efficient, spatially extensive, initial assessment of viticultural areas that can focus attention on potentially the most problematic or distinguishing environmental characteristics of a site. This is a valuable database that will help expand and explore the potential of a world-class grape producing region.
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Details
- Title
- Developing a grape site selection GIS for the Inland Pacific Northwest
- Creators
- Ian-Huei Yau
- Contributors
- Joan R. Davenport (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525059201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis