Acoustic diversity in vineyards is shaped by cover‐crop vegetation structure and row position

Habitat degradation due to agriculture has resulted in unprecedented extinction rates of plants and animals. Sustainable farming techniques are essential in preserving biodiversity and are especially relevant in viticulture.

One technique in sustainable vineyards is cover crops, in which areas between rows are planted with vegetation. Recent work has suggested that cover crops are important in providing habitat and food sources for migratory birds.

We investigated how inter‐row cover crops influence animal biodiversity in Traverse City, Michigan vineyards. We performed plant surveys on cover crops and collected passive acoustic data in the vineyards. We then calculated Acoustic Indices (AIs) as animal biodiversity proxies.

Three AIs (ACI, BI and H) demonstrated higher biodiversity when intermediate cover crop vegetation heights were maintained. Depending on the AI, invertebrate abundance in the cover crop also increased acoustic diversity. Two indices reflected higher biodiversity in exterior vineyard rows, while no indices were impacted by vineyard‐level growing practices.

Our results suggest that maintaining inter‐row cover crops at intermediate heights (~20 cm) can enhance habitat for birds and insects. Furthermore, exterior rows may be more vulnerable to bird damage but also serve as an important refuge for avian species, creating opportunity for tailored bird management. Finally, implementing acoustic assessments in specialty cropping systems can discern best management techniques for biodiversity preservation.

Practical implication . Managers aiming to conserve beneficial fauna while limiting bird damage should maintain moderate inter‐row vegetation and prioritize monitoring/mitigation at block edges, and acoustic techniques should be implemented to inform agricultural management decisions.