Safeguarding food production against climate change needs urgent measures
China’s warming climate could increase food production but only if steps are taken to combat drought, flooding and pests, says agri-sicentist Zhou Shudong
Rising temperatures are sure to have a big impact on China’s grain output and food security over the next 20 to 50 years. My research identifies some benefits, but at present the negative impacts will outweigh them, leading to lower harvests unless urgent measures are taken.
Climate change has two main positive effects on grain output; northward migration of crops and less frost damage.
By lifting average temperatures above 10°C for more of the year, climate warming has lengthened the growing season. The biggest change is being felt at North of the Yangtze, particularly in the middle latitudes of the North China Plain, a major region for wheat, maize and dry-rice farming. Changes to crop distribution are taking place, as crops shift North and more land can yield two or three crops a year.
Автор: Zhou Shudong
Организация: GRAIN
Год: 2015
Страна/страны: China
Географический охват: Азии и Тихого океана
Категория: Статья
Язык контента: English