Description:
The second in a three-part series on climatic change, this book addresses the challenges of the foreseen climate change for agriculture from a multidisciplinary point of view. The initial chapter discusses the global changes that gave rise to the beginning of agriculture. The rest of the book is subdivided in two major parts: first, towards an understanding of the present and future challenges imposed by climate change on several different agricultural systems, and, secondly, to reviewing research avenues to cope with the environmental conditions expected in the near future from climate change. Chapter 2 discusses the predictions for dryland systems of the Mediterranean basin, while chapter 3 analyses the situation in the highly productive agricultural systems of irrigated rice in southern Asia, where in the absence of water stress the increase in atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide may represent a positive factor for species with a C3 metabolism, provided that high temperatures are prevented and soil fertility is maintained. Chapter 4 covers the Pampean (Argentina) agriculture, another of the World food baskets, also challenged by increases in temperature and changes in levels and patterns of precipitation. Chapter 5 addresses the challenges expected in the already highly technological and added-value horticultural systems, where the possibilities for controlling the environment, particularly temperature and efficiency in the use of water, must be further improved. Chapter 6 provides a detailed discussion on physiological plant responses to an increase in carbon dioxide and to the interaction of this factor with the occurrence of abiotic stresses, such as drought. Chapter 7 illustrates the practical experience in crop breeding of the Australian CSIRO, one of the institutions most credited worldwide concerning breeding for drought adaptation. Molecular techniques, field breeding and adequate phenotyping are discussed in chapter 8 as tools for the production of crops better suited to global change challenges. The role of information technologies in crop management and improvement amidst global change is discussed in chapter 9. Chapter 10 highlights the need for a global effort, from science to policy, to cover the challenges involved in improving agriculture in a changing environment, particularly in the developing world where political structures are weak but social networks may be of assistance. The books in this series are aimed at researchers, upper-level students and policy makers, providing international coverage of topics related to climate change, including both a synthesis of facts and discussions of future research perspectives and possible solutions.