Integrating pests and pathogens into the climate change/food security debate
TL;DR: More mechanistic inclusion of pests and pathogen effects in crop models would lead to more realistic predictions of crop production on a regional scale and thereby assist in the development of more robust regional food security policies.
Abstract: While many studies have demonstrated the sensitivities of plants and of crop yield to a changing climate, a major challenge for the agricultural research community is to relate these findings to the broader societal concern with food security. This paper reviews the direct effects of climate on both crop growth and yield and on plant pests and pathogens and the interactions that may occur between crops, pests, and pathogens under changed climate. Finally, we consider the contribution that better understanding of the roles of pests and pathogens in crop production systems might make to enhanced food security. Evidence for the measured climate change on crops and their associated pests and pathogens is starting to be documented. Globally atmospheric [CO(2)] has increased, and in northern latitudes mean temperature at many locations has increased by about 1.0-1.4 degrees C with accompanying changes in pest and pathogen incidence and to farming practices. Many pests and pathogens exhibit considerable capacity for generating, recombining, and selecting fit combinations of variants in key pathogenicity, fitness, and aggressiveness traits that there is little doubt that any new opportunities resulting from climate change will be exploited by them. However, the interactions between crops and pests and pathogens are complex and poorly understood in the context of climate change. More mechanistic inclusion of pests and pathogen effects in crop models would lead to more realistic predictions of crop production on a regional scale and thereby assist in the development of more robust regional food security policies.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify and discuss five major categories of responses within agricultural transitions that can be taken to respond to climate change: increasing the resilience of production systems, diversification, expanding the use of no regrets technologies and planning, better use of information for risk management, and utilizing the co-benefits from mitigation.
Abstract: The negative effects of climate change are projected to affect the populations with the least capacity to adjust, but with the greatest need for improved agricultural performance to achieve food security and reduce poverty The purpose of the paper is to identify how climate change affects how we should approach the process of transforming agricultural systems (including crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry) to support global food security and poverty reduction in a sustainable way We also identify implications for FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and CGIAR prioritiesTo achieve this goal, we identify and discuss five major categories of responses within agricultural transitions that can be taken to respond to climate change: 1) increasing the resilience of production systems, 2) diversification, 3) expanding the use of no regrets technologies and planning, 4) better use of information for risk management, and 5) utilizing the co-benefits from mitigation The urgency of reducing food insecurity together with the need for immediate responses to climate change impels us to define mechanisms, actions and approaches to stimulate desired transitions
48 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...While there are considerable gaps in our knowledge of systems interactions in relation to weeds, pests and diseases, increased understanding will lead to better ways to manage them in a changing climate (Gregory et al., 2009)....
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...There are considerable gaps in our knowledge of systems interactions in relation to weeds, pests, and diseases, and increased understanding will lead to better ways to manage them in a changing climate (Gregory et al. 2009)....
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TL;DR: This review synthesises information about four key ecological mechanisms occurring in the rhizosphere or surrounding soil that confer plant protection against root herbivores, including root tolerance, root resistance via direct physical and chemical defences, integration of plant mutualists and the influence of soil history and feedbacks.
47 citations
TL;DR: The impacts of elevated CO2 on two specific aspects of plant nutrition and resource allocation that have traditionally been considered separately are explored, focusing on arbuscular mycorrhizas and the allocation of resources.
Abstract: Producing enough food to meet the needs of an increasing global population is one of the greatest challenges we currently face. The issue of food security is further complicated by impacts of elevated CO2 and climate change. In this viewpoint article, we begin to explore the impacts of elevated CO2 on two specific aspects of plant nutrition and resource allocation that have traditionally been considered separately. First, we focus on arbuscular mycorrhizas, which play a major role in plant nutrient acquisition. We then turn our attention to the allocation of resources (specifically N and C) in planta, with an emphasis on the secondary metabolites involved in plant defence against herbivores. In doing so, we seek to encourage a more integrated approach to investigation of all aspects of plant responses to eCO2.
47 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...Phosphorus constraints on the response to eCO2 have been reported in trees and grasses (Conroy et al. 1992; Stöcklin et al. 1998), and have been widely reported among legumes (Grünzweig and Körner 2003; Edwards et al. 2005; Rogers et al. 2009), many of which form AM....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tested the Nwheat model with detailed measured field experimental data with treatments of manipulated source (i.e., assimilate supply), sink (i., kernel number), and their combinations.
46 citations
Cites methods from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...During the 2006–2007 growing season cv. Otto was exposed to a eduction of the source-sink ratio during grain filling as described n detail by Harcha and Calderini (2014)....
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46 citations
References
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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: The first volume of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report as mentioned in this paper was published in 2007 and covers several topics including the extensive range of observations now available for the atmosphere and surface, changes in sea level, assesses the paleoclimatic perspective, climate change causes both natural and anthropogenic, and climate models for projections of global climate.
Abstract: This report is the first volume of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report. It covers several topics including the extensive range of observations now available for the atmosphere and surface, changes in sea level, assesses the paleoclimatic perspective, climate change causes both natural and anthropogenic, and climate models for projections of global climate.
32,826 citations
Book•
01 Jul 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors set the stage for impact, adaptation, and vulnerability assessment of climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity, and developed and applied scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment.
Abstract: Summary for policymakers Technical summary Part I. Setting the Stage for Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment: 1. Overview 2. Methods and tools 3. Development and application of scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment Part II. Sectors and Systems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 4. Hydrology and water resources 5. Natural and managed ecosystems 6. Coastal zones and marine ecosystems 7. Energy, industry, and settlements 8. Financial services 9. Human health Part III. Regional Analyses: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 10. Africa 11. Asia 12. Australasia 13. Europe 14. Latin America 15. North America 16. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) 17. Small island states Part IV. Global Issues and Synthesis: 18. Adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity 19. Synthesis and integration of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability Index.
12,541 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a cross-chapter case study on climate change and sustainability in natural and managed systems and assess key vulnerabilities and the risk from climate change, and assess adaptation practices, options, constraints and capacity.
Abstract: Foreword Preface Introduction Summary for policymakers Technical summary 1. Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems 2. New assessment methodologies and the characterisation of future conditions 3. Fresh water resources and their management 4. Ecosystems, their properties, goods and services 5. Food, fibre and forest products 6. Coastal systems and low-lying areas 7. Industry, settlement and society 8. Human health 9. Africa 10. Asia 11. Australia and New Zealand 12. Europe 13. Latin America 14. North America 15. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) 16. Small islands 17. Assessment of adaptation practices, options, constraints and capacity 18. Inter-relationships between adaptation and mitigation 19. Assessing key vulnerabilities and the risk from climate change 20. Perspectives on climate change and sustainability - 811 Cross-chapter case studies Appendix I. Glossary Appendix II. Contributors to the IPCC WGII Fourth Assessment Report Appendix III. Reviewers of the IPCC WGII Fourth Assessment Report Appendix IV. Acronyms and abbreviations Appendix V. Index and database of regional content Index CD-ROM.
8,465 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a document, redatto, voted and pubblicato by the Ipcc -Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.
Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.
4,187 citations