Sustainability of the landscape of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Lake Geneva region (Switzerland) in a greenhouse climate

This paper poses the question as to whether the vineyards of the Lavaux region in the eastern part of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, will be able to maintain in a future greenhouse climate the same 'cultural landscape' as presently. It is indeed this landscape which has recently been placed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, but whether it will remain as it has since the 13th century is an open question. The projected shifts in temperature and moisture patterns from current to future climate suggest that the grape varieties cultivated in the Lavaux region are likely to be subject to increasing heat and drought stress. As a result, the grape varieties that are currently cultivated in the region may no longer be sustainable; however, the visual aspect of the vineyards could be maintained if other grape varieties were to be planted, for example those that are endemic to warmer and drier Mediterranean-type climates. The scenery of the region would thus remain close to what it is today, even though the wine produced from other types of grape would certainly be different from those for which the Lavaux has become famous over the centuries. Copyright (C) 2007 Royal Meteorological Society.