The Challenge of Growing Wine Grapes in the Hill Country: An Evaluation of Changing Grower Perceptions of Natural Hazards in Texas Vineyards. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Townsend, Christi G.; Butler, David R.; Dixon, Richard W.
• Is Part Of: Papers in applied geography. Volume 2:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Drought -- Natural Hazards -- Texas -- Agriculture -- Viticulture; Applied human geography -- Periodicals; Geography -- Periodicals; 910
• DOI: 10.1080/23754931.2015.1114511
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2375-4931

Abstract

Abstract : The unique landscapes of Texas presents a variety of natural hazards with which farmers contend. Vineyards in particular are especially vulnerable to these hazards. In its relatively short history, the Texas viticulture industry has experienced frequent crop losses as a result of one or a combination of natural hazards. Sometimes the losses could not have been avoided, but at other times, the losses may reflect lack of knowledge or preparation. With a focus on the Texas Hill Country Viticultural Area, the research presented here is a continuation of a study conducted in 2009. We use a mixed methods approach to investigate grower awareness of natural hazards and whether their perceptions of the most significant hazards change over time. The results suggest that viticulturists are inconsistent when considering what constitutes the most significant natural hazard in their vineyards. This inconsistency often results in the frequent mitigation of those natural hazards which may actually have a lower probability of occurrence than other, potentially more precarious hazards.