Case of Villeveyrac: The questions that remain unanswered after the landscape analysis

The landscape analysis allows you to begin understanding how an area is organised: the cultivated species and varieties, the presence of animals, soil, layout, etc. It provides information on the diversity and organisation of the area. However, many essential elements of the area’s organisation are not directly, or are only partially, visible in the landscape (traces of the past, crop indices ...).

The contrasts between different areas

The Villeveyrac plain is far more diversified than the hilly areas where vines are omnipresent.

Which factors can explain this? Nature of soil, access to water, less interest for vines (not in an appellation d’origine control zone), the need to produce food for local consumption?

Housing grouped into villages but also scattered farmhouses: what is the history?

Vineyards

• Different leaf colours = several varieties? How do the farmers choose their varieties?: quantity ? quality ? adaptation to soil? irrigation ?
• What is the logic behind the layout of the vine plots on the stony hills of La Moure: the dynamics of expansion linked to a new market? Saturation of land in the plain? new technology or adapted variety?
• Contrasted dynamics:
  • Crops here, abandoned there: what explanations?
  • Irrigation here, rain fed vines there: no access to water? Technical choice? Unequal investment capacities?
  • Cooperative winery vs. private winery

Wheat

What is its role in crop rotation? Agronomic, economic? Where are the harvesters? What do they do with the straw (as little animal husbandry in the area)? In the Villeveyrac plain, are cereal crops coming back or disappearing?

Perennial plants around Villeveyrac

New plantations or reminiscent of the past?

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The answers to these outstanding questions will be sought by consulting existing data (statistics, scientific literature, etc.) and by interacting with the stakeholders of the territory, through socio-economic analysis tools (interviews, surveys, focus groups, etc.).