MONTEVITIS Grapevine Yield Simulations under Climate Change Scenarios in Montenegro

This dataset contains simulated grapevine yield outputs generated within the MONTEVITIS project for selected vineyard locations in Montenegro. The simulations were produced using the process-based UNIFI.GrapeML grapevine growth model, which represents grapevine phenology, canopy development, biomass accumulation, yield formation, soil-water dynamics and the effects of agronomic management practices.

The model was calibrated for the Vranac grapevine variety at the Plantaže reference site in the Podgorica area (Site 1; 42.36° N, 19.28° E), using available phenological observations and vineyard yield data. It was subsequently applied to four additional representative vineyard locations across Montenegro:

• Site 1 – Plantaže, Podgorica area: 42.36° N, 19.28° E
• Site 2 – inland vineyard location: 42.66° N, 19.02° E
• Site 3 – inland vineyard location: 42.51° N, 19.35° E
• Site 4 – coastal vineyard location: 41.89° N, 19.33° E
• Site 5 – coastal vineyard location: 42.45° N, 18.55° E

The dataset includes simulated fruit biomass/yield expressed as grams of dry matter per square metre (g d.m. m⁻²), together with related outputs used to interpret climate impacts on vineyard productivity, including maturity timing, Fraction of Transpirable Soil Water (FTSW), irrigation requirements, pruning and grass-cutting responses, and Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), where available.

Simulations were performed for a present/reference climate period of 1985–2014 and for future climate conditions covering 2030–2070. Future climate forcing was derived from the MONTEVITIS CHELSA-ISIMIP3b climate dataset, based on an ensemble of nine global climate models and downscaled/bias-adjusted climate projections for Montenegro.

The future simulations cover three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios:

• SSP1-2.6 – low-emission / climate-protection pathway;
• SSP3-7.0 – medium-to-high emission pathway;
• SSP5-8.5 – high-emission / fossil-fuelled development pathway.

The dataset supports the assessment of projected climate-change impacts on grapevine yield and water availability in Montenegro. It can be used to compare the sensitivity of inland and coastal vineyard locations, evaluate expected yield reductions under alternative climate pathways, and support adaptation planning related to irrigation, canopy management, pruning and soil-water conservation.

The simulations indicate earlier maturity under future climate conditions and projected reductions in vine yield across all sites, with generally stronger yield reductions in coastal locations than in inland locations. The dataset should be interpreted as model-based scenario output and not as measured vineyard yield observations.