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The Risks Posed by Climate, and How Agriculture Can Adapt

18.17.19.01.01

Agricultural crop production is to a large extent dependent upon climatic conditions. Because of climate change, temperatures are rising and patterns of precipitation are changing. We also expect extreme events such as drought and heatwaves to occur more frequently in future.

To exploit the potential for plant production in Switzerland, both now and in future, we need to be able to gauge the direct and indirect effects of climate change on crops. Knowledge of the expected risks helps with the planning and implementation of suitable adaptive measures (e.g. different choice of crops or varieties, irrigation, determination of breeding objectives).

Project Manager

Project Information

Project Number:
18.17.19.01.01

Project Title:
Climate Risks for Agriculture and Adaptive Strategies

Strategic Research Field:
Climate change

Previous Projects

Agriculture under Climate Change

URL for direct access

agroscope.ch/18-17-19-01-01/?lang=en

Further Information

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Climatic Suitability for Plant Production

Crop yield potentials depend on regional biogeoclimatic conditions. Progressing climate change will lead to changes in regional suitability for the cultivation of crops.

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Climate Change and Water Use in the Bernese Seeland

Irrigation water demands are likely to increase in the future. However, depending on availability of resources, water use conflicts may arise.

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Impacts of Climate- and Land Use Change on Multifunctionality in the Broye Catchment

When combined with changes in management, climate change causes shifts in agroecosystem functioning, which can either have positive or negative effects on the provision of different ecosystem services.

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Climate Change Effects on Alpine Meadows

In Switzerland, Alpine meadows can be considered the backbone of traditional livestock farming. At the same time, they can be viewed as the cultural landscapes that are usually associated with Switzerland, both by the local population as well as by foreign visitors.

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