Many weeds, pests, and fungi thrive under warmer temperatures, wetter climates, and increased CO 2 levels.Although increased irrigation might be possible in some places, in other places water supplies may also be reduced, leaving less water available for irrigation when more is needed. Dealing with drought could become a challenge in areas where rising summer temperatures cause soils to become drier. Corn Belt, and premature budding due to a warm winter caused $220 million in losses of Michigan cherries in 2012. For example, in 20, high nighttime temperatures affected corn yields across the U.S. Extreme events, especially floods and droughts, can harm crops and reduce yields. More extreme temperature and precipitation can prevent crops from growing.Reduced grain and forage quality can reduce the ability of pasture and rangeland to support grazing livestock. Elevated CO 2 has been associated with reduced protein and nitrogen content in alfalfa and soybean plants, resulting in a loss of quality. For example, if temperature exceeds a crop's optimal level, if sufficient water and nutrients are not available, yield increases may be reduced or reversed. However, other factors, such as changing temperatures, ozone, and water and nutrient constraints, may counteract these potential increases in yield. Some laboratory experiments suggest that elevated CO 2 levels can increase plant growth. Higher CO 2 levels can affect crop yields.IPCC: Fifth Assessment Report - Food Security and Food Production Systems.National Climate Assessment: Agriculture.Student's Guide to Climate Change: Agriculture.Conversely, if the higher temperature exceeds a crop's optimum temperature, yields will decline. In some areas, warming may benefit the types of crops that are typically planted there, or allow farmers to shift to crops that are currently grown in warmer areas. Changes in temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2), and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather could have significant impacts on crop yields.įor any particular crop, the effect of increased temperature will depend on the crop's optimal temperature for growth and reproduction. farms supply nearly 25% of all grains (such as wheat, corn, and rice) on the global market. Source: USGCRP (2009)Ĭlick the image to view a larger version.Ĭrops grown in the United States are critical for the food supply here and around the world. Impacts on Cropsĭespite technological improvements that increase corn yields, extreme weather events have caused significant yield reductions in some years. The effects of climate change also need to be considered along with other evolving factors that affect agricultural production, such as changes in farming practices and technology. Overall, climate change could make it more difficult to grow crops, raise animals, and catch fish in the same ways and same places as we have done in the past. Meanwhile, warmer water temperatures are likely to cause the habitat ranges of many fish and shellfish species to shift, which could disrupt ecosystems. Changes in the frequency and severity of droughts and floods could pose challenges for farmers and ranchers and threaten food safety. But to realize these benefits, nutrient levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other conditions must also be met. Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) can increase some crop yields in some places. Īgriculture and fisheries are highly dependent on the climate. When food-service and other agriculture-related industries are included, the agricultural and food sectors contribute more than $750 billion to the gross domestic product. The crops, livestock, and seafood produced in the United States contribute more than $300 billion to the economy each year. Livestock may be at risk, both directly from heat stress and indirectly from reduced quality of their food supply.įisheries will be affected by changes in water temperature that make waters more hospitable to invasive species and shift the ranges or lifecycle timing of certain fish species.Īgriculture is an important sector of the U.S. However, more severe warming, floods, and drought may reduce yields. Moderate warming and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may help some plants to grow faster.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |