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Climate change is already affecting agriculture, with more extreme weather events, and it is expected to have even greater impacts in the future. Learn about the ways climate change could affect agriculture, and what farmers and ranchers can do to adapt.
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The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture
Climate change is already affecting agriculture in a number of ways. Poor countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change, as they are more dependent on agriculture and have less capacity to adapt. As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, crops are being impacted in a number of ways. This section will explore the effects of climate change on agriculture.
Droughts
Droughts are caused by a lack of precipitation, and can have wide-ranging impacts, including reducing crop yields, lowering water levels in rivers and reservoirs, harming wildlife and causing public health problems. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in many regions of the world1.
Droughts are a normal part of the climate cycle in many regions, but climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of drought conditions globally.2 There is evidence that droughts are already becoming more frequent and intense in some areas3,4,5. For example:
The number of severe drought events has more than doubled in the Mediterranean region since 19706.
The amount of land area affected by drought has increased globally by 11% since 19817.
Droughts are projected to become more common and more intense over the coming decades throughout much of the world8.
Impacts of droughts on agriculture
Droughts can have severe impacts on agriculture, including reduced crop yields, lower water levels in rivers and reservoirs, and damage to crops and pastures.9 Drought can also lead to increased dust storms, which can further damage crops10.
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts in many regions of the world1. Droughts are a normal part of the climate cycle in many regions, but climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of drought conditions globally.2 There is evidence that droughts are already becoming more frequent and intense in some areas3,4,5. For example:
The number of severe drought events has more than doubled in the Mediterranean region since 19706.
The amount of land area affected by drought has increased globally by 11% since 19817. Droughts are projected to become more common and more intense over the coming decades throughout much of the world8.
Flooding
Flooding is caused by heavy rains or melting snow that can overflow rivers and other bodies of water. Floods can damage crops, disrupt transportation, and contaminate drinking water supplies. Floods can also cause fatalities and displace families. Agricultural workers may be unable to access their farms, and crops may be damaged by floodwaters.
Extreme weather conditions
agriculturist must consider how climate change will affect both their short-term and long-term plans. The most obvious impact of climate change on agriculture is the increased occurrence of extreme weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. These events can damage crops, disrupt transportation networks, and reduce access to clean water and other vital resources. In the long term, climate change is expected to cause a decrease in crop yields due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. This could lead to higher food prices, lower incomes for farmers, and increased hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
How Farmers are Responding to Climate Change
Climate change is already having an impact on agriculture. Farmers are seeing changes in the timing of crop growth stages, as well as more extreme weather conditions that are affecting crop yields. In response, farmers are using a variety of adaptation strategies to try to offset the impact of climate change on their agriculture operations.
Changes in crop production
Climate change is already affecting crop production in the United States and around the world. Rising temperatures and changes in rain and drought patterns are making it harder to grow crops and raising the risk of crop failures.
Farmers are responding to these challenges by changing what they plant, when they plant it, and how they manage their land. They are also using more technology, like climate-controlled greenhouses, to protect their crops from extreme weather.
But even with these adaptations, climate change is expected to cause reductions in crop yields and quality in the coming years. This will likely lead to higher food prices and disruptions in food supplies.
Changes in livestock production
Livestock production accounts for a significant share of agricultural production, at 40 percent globally. The sector is also responsible for a substantial share of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, estimated to be between 14.5 and 18 percent. Livestock are particularly important in developing countries, where they provide an important source of income and livelihoods for millions of small-scale farmers and pastoralists.
Climate change is already affecting livestock production systems through changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, which in turn impact feed availability and quality, water availability, grazing land, and the health of animals. These impacts are expected to become more severe in the future as the climate continues to change.
Farmers are responding to these changes in a number of ways, including changing the types of livestock they keep, where they graze their animals, and what they feed them. They are also making changes to their husbandry practices, such as using shade structures and fans to protect animals from heat stress, and investing in early warning systems for extreme weather events. In some cases, farmers are choosing to slaughter their animals early due to drought or other conditions that reduce the quality or quantity of feed available.
Changes in agricultural practices
As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing global issue, farmers are having to adapt their methods in order to ensure the viability of their crops. One of the most significant ways that climate change is affecting agriculture is through changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. These changes can directly impact crop yields, as well as the timing of planting and harvesting.
In order to adapt to these changes, farmers are turning to a variety of different methods. One common adaptation is called “precision agriculture.” This involves using technology to more precisely target inputs such as irrigation and fertilizer. This helps farmers save resources while still maximizing crop yields.
Another adaptation that farmers are making is called “conservation tillage.” This involves leaving a portion of the crop residue (stalks, leaves, etc.) on the field after harvest instead of completely removing it. This residue helps protect the soil from erosion and improves its ability to hold water, which is important in periods of drought.
Agricultural adaptation is a complex process, and different farmers will use different methods depending on the resources they have available and the specific challenges they face. However, it is clear that climate change is having a significant impact on agriculture and that farmers are rising to meet the challenge.
The Future of Agriculture in a Changing Climate
The potential impacts of climate change on agriculture are both direct and indirect. Direct impacts are those that result from changes in the physical environment, such as temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events. Indirect impacts are those that result from changes in other factors, such as carbon dioxide levels, sea level rise, and changes in the growing season. Agricultural production is also affected by changes in pest and disease pressure, water availability, and soil fertility.
Increasing yields
Global climate change will have a number of impacts on agriculture, including on crop yields. While rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns are likely to reduce crop yields in many regions, in some cases these effects may be counteracted by increased atmospheric CO2 levels, which can act as a “fertilizer” for plants.
In general, it is expected that climate change will lead to reductions in the global production of major food crops such as wheat, rice, and maize by 2–4% per decade for the rest of this century.1 One study found that, without adaptation, global wheat production could decline by 6% by 2099 relative to 1998 levels; with adaptation, the decline would be reduced to 3%.2 For rice, the corresponding figures are 4% and 2%, respectively.3 For maize, the reductions are 5% with no adaptation and 3% with adaptation.4
1 Rosenzweig C., Iglesias A., Yang Xie (2013) Climate Change and Adaptation in Agriculture. In: FAO (eds) Climate Change and Food Security: A Framework Document. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), pp. 1-40. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3712e/i3712e00.pdf
2 Izaurralde R.C., Rosenberg N.J., Saari G.S., Hodgen M., Smith S.J., Paul E., advances Maize Yields While Reducing nitrogen Inputs in Upland Farming Systems across the United States National Center for Atmospheric Research distinguished Lecture Series https://www2.academia.edu/16242348/_Advances_in_Maize_Yields_while_Reducing_Nitrogen_Inputs_in_Upland_Farming_Systems_Across_the_United_States._NCAR_Distinguished_Lecture
Diversifying crops
Diversifying crops is an important step that farmers can take to adapt to a changing climate. By planting a mix of crop types, farmers can reduce the risk of losing their entire crop to a single event, such as a drought or floods.
In addition to diversifying the types of crops they grow, farmers can also experiment with planting new varieties that are better suited to survive in a warmer climate. For example, some farmers are planting heat-resistant varieties of maize that can withstand higher temperatures.
Another adaptation strategy that farmers are using is known as “agroforestry”. This involves planting trees alongside crops, which provides shade and protection from extreme weather events like storms. Agroforestry can also help to improve soil health and fertility.
Developing new technologies
There is a lot of discussion about the future of agriculture in a changing climate. How will agriculture need to adapt to changes in temperature, precipitation, and other extreme weather events? One way that agriculture will need to adapt is by developing new technologies.
For example, some farmers are already using drones to help them with crop mapping and irrigation. Drones can be used to collect data about the health of crops, and this data can then be used to make decisions about how to best care for the crops. Farmers will also need to become more efficient in their use of water and other resources. They will need to find ways to reduce their environmental impact while still producing food for a growing population.
Some people believe that we will need to completely rethink the way we grow food in the future. They believe that we will need to move away from traditional farming practices and towards more sustainable methods of food production. This may include things like vertical farming, where crops are grown in tall buildings using artificial light, or aquaponics, where fish and plants are grown together in a closed system.
Whatever changes lie ahead, it is clear that agriculture will need to adapt to a changing climate. Farmers will need to be innovative in their use of technology, and they will need to find ways to produce food in a more sustainable way.
