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 issue, a new article collection "The Promise of Plant Translational Research," featuring articles from leading plant researchers is launched and calls for additional plant translational research to be submitted to PLOS Biology for inclusion in this collection.
Abstract: In this issue, we launch a new article collection "The Promise of Plant Translational Research," featuring articles from leading plant researchers and call for additional plant translational research to be submitted to PLOS Biology for inclusion in this collection. We also discuss in this Editorial why this field has a vital role to play in meeting the challenges of sustainably feeding a growing world population.
11 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the challenges affecting small-scale farmers in the Zvishavane District of Zimbabwe in coping with climate change and vulnerability, including resource constraints, lack of access to credit and inputs, aid bottlenecks and contradiction of programs.
Abstract: Climate change adaptation issues have recently gained attention for the past few years in Zimbabwe. However, little
has been done to explore the challenges, associated with climate change in the country. Therefore, this article explores
the challenges affecting small-scale farmers in the Zvishavane District of Zimbabwe in coping with climate change
vulnerability. The qualitative research methodology encompassing semi-structured interviews was used to collect data
from small-scale farmers and other key informants in the study area. The study portrays that small-scale farmers are
struggling to cope with climate change due to resource constraints, lack of access to credit and inputs, aid bottlenecks
coupled with contradiction of programs among other critical issues
11 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...Climate change is believed to be playing a pivotal role to a sharp increase of pests and diseases (Gregory et al., 2009)....
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TL;DR: The authors investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 (390 or 650 μmol/mol) on raspberry genotypes varying in resistance to the large raspberry aphid Amphorophora idaei and any subsequent impact on the coccinellid predator Harmonia axyridis.
Abstract: 1. The present study investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 (390 or 650 μmol/mol) on raspberry genotypes varying in resistance to the large raspberry aphid Amphorophora idaei and any subsequent impact on the coccinellid predator Harmonia axyridis.
2. CO2 enrichment promoted plant growth, ranging from 30% in the partially susceptible cultivar to a more than 100% increase for the susceptible cultivar.
3. Aphid abundance and colonization (presence–absence) on the susceptible cultivars were not influenced by CO2 enrichment. On the resistant cultivar, aphid colonisation increased from 14% in ambient CO2 to 70% in elevated CO2 with a subsequent increase in aphid abundance, implying a breakdown in resistance. Inclusion of the natural enemy on the resistant cultivar, however, suppressed the increase in aphid abundance at elevated CO2.
4. The present study highlights how crop genotypes vary in responses to climate change; some cultivars can become more susceptible to aphid pests under elevated CO2. We do, however, demonstrate the potential for top-down control to mitigate the effect of global climate change on pest populations.
11 citations
01 Sep 2020
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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
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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.
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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