Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems

Current Challenges and Adaptation

Krishna Kumar Choudhary, Ajay Kumar, Amit Kishore Singh

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780128164839
• eBook ISBN: 9780128175224
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems explains the causative factors of climate change related to agriculture, soil and plants, and discusses the relevant resulting mitigation process.Agricultural ecosystems include factors from the surrounding areas where agriculture experiences direct or indirect interaction with the plants, animals, and microbes present. Changes in climatic conditions influence all the factors of agricultural ecosystems, which can potentially adversely affect their productivity. This book summarizes the different aspects of vulnerability, adaptation, and amelioration of climate change in respect to plants, crops, soil, and microbes for the sustainability of the agricultural sector and, ultimately, food security for the future. It also focuses on the utilization of information technology for the sustainability of the agricultural sector along with the capacity and adaptability of agricultural societies under climate change.Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems incorporates both theoretical and practical aspects, and serves as base line information for future research. This book is a valuable resource for those working in environmental sciences, soil sciences, agricultural microbiology, plant pathology, and agronomy.- Covers the role of chemicals fertilizers, environmental deposition, and xenobiotics in climate change- Discusses the impact of climate change on plants, soil, microflora, and agricultural ecosystems- Explores the mitigation of climate change by sustainable methods- Presents the role of computational modelling in climate change mitigation

Chapter 1

Agriculture in the Era of Climate Change: Consequences and Effects

Rahul Bhadouria¹, Rishikesh Singh², Vipin Kumar Singh³, Anwesha Borthakur⁴, Arif Ahamad⁵, Gaurav Kumar⁶ and Pardeep Singh⁶, ¹Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India, ²Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development (IESD), Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, ³Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, ⁴Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, ⁵School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, ⁶Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India

Abstract

The changing environmental conditions, especially global warming and climate variability, are major concerns and have an adverse impact over the future of agriculture. The changing climate has become a global issue which needs rapid policy development at national and international levels. The melting of massive Himalayan glaciers would considerably change the impact of temperature regimes which is necessary for blossoming of several crop plants. Thus, the current generation needs to find solutions to combat the negative impacts of environmental consequences on agricultural crops. Useful strategies include the conservation of the world’s huge biodiversity together with other natural resources. Modifications in currently used agricultural practices and the search for new plant species tolerant to different abiotic and biotic environmental stresses could help to mitigate the negative impact of climate change.

Keywords

Abiotic stress; biodiversity; climate change; global warming; sustainable agriculture

Contents

• 1.1 Introduction 2
• 1.2 Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture 4
  • 1.2.1 Need for Integration of Mitigation and Adaptation Frameworks Into Sustainable Development Planning 5
• 1.3 Dependence on Subsistence Agriculture 5
• 1.4 Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Production Around the Globe 5
  • 1.4.1 Effects of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture 6
• 1.5 Effects of Climate Change on Food Security 8
• 1.6 Effect of Climate Change on Geographical Distribution of Crop Species 8
• 1.7 Effect of Climate Change on Insect Pest and Disease Development 9
• 1.8 Effect of Climate Change on Ontogeny of Crops 10
  • 1.8.1 Phenology 10
  • 1.8.2 Flowering 11
  • 1.8.3 Pollination 11
  • 1.8.4 Seed Quality 12
• 1.9 Impact of Climate Change on Abiotic Environmental Factors Affecting Crop Productivity 15
• 1.10 Strategies for Adaptation 17
  • 1.10.1 Changes in Seed Production Locations 17
  • 1.10.2 Changing Sowing Date 18
  • 1.10.3 Plant Breeding 18
• 1.11 Conclusion and Recommendations 19
• Acknowledgment 19
• Conflict of interest 20
• References 20
• Further Reading 23

1.1 Introduction

Agricultural production is extremely sensitive to climate change and weather conditions. Agricultural production is affected by climate change in various ways, such as changes in average monthly or annual temperature, rainfall variability, insect pests and plant pathogens, alterations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, changes in the concentration of various gases available in the atmosphere, and changes in soil nutrient availability. Production under changing climate conditions can be enhanced by improving the current understanding of the reactions of certain plant species against environmental change (Bita and Gerats, 2013).

The world population surpassed seven billion in 2011. Approximately 80% of the population lives in less-developed or developing countries. It is estimated that by 2050, the population that resides in less-developed or developing countries will be 90% (CGIAR-ISPC, 2010). The demand for food supply will increase with the ever-increasing population and if food production cannot keep up the population growth, there may be chronic food shortage. Globally, most of the food supply comes from cereals and these crops are highly sensitive to changing climatic and weather conditions. At present, approximately, 1600 million hectares of land of the total geographic area is utilized for crop production (FAO, 2008a). Studies have suggested that approximately 50–1600 ha land is suitable for agricultural expansion (Delft, 2008). Dry lands account for approximately 41% of the total geographic area of the world (Safriel and Adeel, 2005). In dry lands most of the rainfall evaporates due to high temperature, while tropical storms cause surface runoff and soil erosion. Rainfall is highly variable in dry lands both within the same year and also between years; also variable in short distance. Rainfall variability is the main cause of loss in agricultural production (Bray et al., 2000).

Good seed is crucial for the livelihood of farmers. Agricultural production is also affected by the availability of quality seeds in a sufficient amount at affordable prices for farmers. New and improved varieties of crops with a wider range of adaptation under changing climate conditions may be a good move for combating food scarcity. The seed industry is, therefore, playing a vital role in increasing agricultural productivity. The increase in the mean global temperature and uneven precipitation will have a significant impact not only on human lives, but also on livelihoods and crop productivity. Moreover, considerable effect will be posed for the organisms having low population. Farmers working on low land areas, thus, having lower crop produce, will be severely affected. The rapid increase of greenhouse gas concentrations, elevated soil and water temperatures of marine and freshwater ecosystems, raised incidence and degree of severe events causing large-scale hazards to several trade and industry-based processes, and the decline of potable as well as irrigation water availability will severely hamper the sustainability of agriculture and food availability, particularly in developing countries.

Fertile land is already extensively being used for agricultural productivity. Since no considerable increase in cultivable agricultural fields is expected in the future, humanity will suffer from many food-related difficulties. Under these conditions, fertile agricultural fields will be under severe stress to enhance productivity, keeping in mind the necessity of maintaining agricultural sustainability. The capability to effectively manage our precious natural resources, managing overall sustainability will be more challenging for developing countries. Approximately 80% differences in crop productivity are associated with changes in environmental conditions. In most developing countries, agricultural productivity, economy, and increased food security is intimately linked with rainfall. Natural calamities such as very low rainfall, the spread of plant diseases, and abiotic stresses such as floods and drought would have negative consequences in the form of crop loss, famine, changes in human habitat, livelihood, and the nation’s economy. According to an estimate (Hinrichsen and Tacio, 2002), up to the year 2025 nearly 30% of the global population will suffer from water paucity. The next 20 years after 2025 will experience an even worse situation. By 2045, there will be approximately 17% increase in the demand for water for agricultural purposes with an overall increase in water demand by 40%. Nearly 70% of freshwater reserves in developing countries is utilized for agricultural irrigation. The physicochemical characteristics of the soil and differences in crops grown are important for processes such as transfer of water vapor and heat from soil to ambient environment, which in turn are responsible for environmental changes.

Incidences of environmental disasters such as flooding and drought have a severe impact on crop productivity, particularly at low latitude. Worldwide, crop productivity has been assumed to be increased due to the rise in mean local temperature from 1°C to 3°C; however, an increase beyond this range would reduce overall productivity. In contrast, a smaller rise in temperature (1°C–2°C) in dry tropical areas is expected to significantly reduce crop productivity leading to an increase in the frequency of mass starvation. Agricultural yield is expected to enhance up to some extent at mid to high latitudes due to an average increase in temperature of between 1°C and 3°C, and decrease after that. Rise in mean temperature would facilitate the heavy increase in insect-pests population with damaging effects on natural ecosystem. Crop productivity is also speculated to decrease in arid and semiarid regions of the globe. By the middle of the 21st century, East and South-East Asia are expected to experience 20% yield enhancement, whereas Central and South Asia are expected to face approximately 20% fall in overall productivity. Already dry regions such as Latin America face the overwhelming problem of increased soil salinity and land desertification. Climate changes will have detrimental consequences not only on the productivity of several important crop plant species, but also on the population of animals and their productivity. In this chapter, the effects of climate change on various components of agricultural production are considered.

1.2 Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture

The negative effects of climate change on agricultural systems can be considerably minimized by carbon sequestration phenomena. Another important potential strategy is based on the processes responsible for lowering the emission of CH₄ and N₂O from agricultural systems. Reduced emission can be achieved by adding organic material derived from crop plants, however, high market value has limited its applicability as a viable option.

Several strategies can be implemented in agriculture in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change. An important approach involves the raising of different varieties of crop plants, the advancement and encouragement of substitutes for commonly employed crops, the release of stress tolerant varieties through genetic engineering and breeding techniques, frequent raising of mixed cro...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• List of Contributors
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Agriculture in the Era of Climate Change: Consequences and Effects
• Chapter 2. Sustainable Agricultural Practices Using Beneficial Fungi Under Changing Climate Scenario
• Chapter 3. Climate Change and Soil Dynamics: Effects on Soil Microbes and Fertility of Soil
• Chapter 4. Agrochemicals: Harmful and Beneficial Effects of Climate Changing Scenarios
• Chapter 5. Climate Change and Secondary Metabolism in Plants: Resilience to Disruption
• Chapter 6. Impact of Xenobiotics Under a Changing Climate Scenario
• Chapter 7. Impact of Climate Change on Plant–Microbe Interactions under Agroecosystems
• Chapter 8. Medicinal Plants Under Climate Change: Impacts on Pharmaceutical Properties of Plants
• Chapter 9. Air Pollution: Role in Climate Change and Its Impact on Crop Plants
• Chapter 10. Cyanobacteria and Their Role Under Elevated CO2 Conditions
• Chapter 11. Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Plant Responses: Current and Future Consequences
• Chapter 12. Climatic Resilient Agriculture for Root, Tuber, and Banana Crops using Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes
• Chapter 13. Understanding Soil Aggregate Dynamics and Its Relation With Land Use and Climate Change
• Chapter 14. Climate Change: A Challenge for Postharvest Management, Food Loss, Food Quality, and Food Security
• Chapter 15. Impact of Climate Change on Soil Carbon Exchange, Ecosystem Dynamics, and Plant–Microbe Interactions
• Chapter 16. Bioinformatics as a Tool to Counter Climate Change: Challenges and Prospects
• Chapter 17. Developing Adaptive Capability of Agricultural Societies in the Context of Climate Change
• Index