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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01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified and evaluated major pests of vegetables in South Africa and Zimbabwe in relation to climate variability and found that the increase in pest populations was caused by short winters, higher temperatures and lengthy dry spells.
Abstract: Agriculture faces the huge challenge of meeting increasing food demands while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint and meeting sustainability goals. Climate change is a major risk to sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Africa region. Pests are, and will continue to be responsible for crop losses which may amount to more than 40% worldwide. Climate change and weather patterns directly affect the distribution, development and population dynamics of insect pests and it may facilitate the spread of indigenous and exotic species. The aim of the study was to identify and evaluate major pests of vegetables in South Africa and Zimbabwe in relation to climate variability. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to solicit data from respondents. This was done across all nine provinces of South Africa and five agro-ecological zones in Zimbabwe. Key informants and focus groups were used to triangulate the data. Whiteflies and aphids collected from field and greenhouse sampling sites were phenotyped to determine the possible species present. In Zimbabwe, farmers perceived an increase in the abundance of insect pests such as aphids, whiteflies, stem borers, ball worms, red spider mite, termites and diamondback moths and the emergence of new pests. The increase in pest populations was perceived to be caused by short winters, higher temperatures and lengthy dry spells. In South Africa, the major pest outbreaks were aphids, whiteflies, red spider mites and thrips. Moreover, some of these pests are vectors of destructive viral pathogens. Emerging whitefly-transmitted torrado, crini, and begomoviruses were identified in major vegetable growing regions throughout South Africa. From this study, Tomato torrado virus (ToTV) was reported for the first time from continental Africa continent. In addition, several weed species significantly contributed to the epidemiology of vector-borne disease in commercial and smallholder farming communities. Preliminary risk maps for possible pest and disease outbreaks were produced for the two countries. The major policy directions require governments in Africa to start documenting new and emerging pests and diseases of major crops. Furthermore, surveillance systems should be initiated to monitor pest populations and extension programs that create awareness to farmers on new and existing pests and how to manage them. A collaborative effort is paramount for the development of appropriate integrated pest management systems to reduce the losses incurred by the agricultural pests in Africa and abroad.
5 citations
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: The imidacloprid + beta-ciflutrin and clotianidin - based insecticides provide a good protection for oilseed rape plants against flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.) attack, under 2013 and 2014 autumn conditions.
Abstract: Flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.) is one of the main pest of oilseed rape crop, in south and south-east of the Romania. The insect is dangerous during autumn, when plants are in first vegetation stages (BBCH 10-13). At NARDI Fundulea, researches concerning effectiveness of both, current and new active ingredient insecticides, used like seed treatment against this pest were performed. The weather conditions influence on this insect, during first vegetation stages of oilseed rape plants was also studied. In last six years (2009-2014), climatic conditions from autumn period were variable. Generally, average temperatures from period under study were over multiyear average while rainfalls amount were below multiyear average. The attack of flea beetle at oilseed rape untreated plants was high in conditions of the years 2010 and 2011 (attack degree 19.5 and 25.7%). In 2010, even if both average temperature registered in period when oilseed rape plants are in first vegetation stages were below multiyear average and rainfalls amount were over multiyear average, the attack of flea beetle at untreated plants were higher, as result of daily distributions of temperatures in second decade of October, that were favorable for pest. The imidacloprid + beta-ciflutrin and clotianidin + beta-ciflutrin – based insecticides provide a good protection for oilseed rape plants against flea beetle (Phyllotreta spp.) attack, under 2013 and 2014 autumn conditions. The differences between this treated variants and untreated (control) variant was statistically assigned. Cuvinte cheie: Puricii de pământ (Phyllotreta spp.), schimbări climatice, tratament seminţe, restricţii.
5 citations
14 Nov 2014
5 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored farmers' perceptions of climate change and current adaptation strategies, and challenges and opportunities pertaining to the adoption of agroforestry as one of the adaptation option.
Abstract: Smallholder farmers in poor countries generally rely heavily on agricultural production for their livelihoods, generally have the least capacity to adapt to climate change, and are expected to suffer the most from climate change and climate variability. Timing of crop planting, crop choice and agroforestry practices are adaptation strategies to reduce the impacts of climate change on smallholder farmers. Understanding local farmers’ perceptions of climate change, willingness to adopt adaptation strategies and challenges to adaptation are fundamental to addressing issues of soil conservation and poverty reduction under environmental change. To develop appropriate policies and strategies for climate change adaptation in the agricultural sector, it will be crucial not only to understand changes in climate, but also to understand how they are perceived and adapted to by local residents, and how any adaptation strategies proposed are perceived by local farmers. The northern highlands region of Rwanda is one of the most climate-sensitive areas in the country due to dense smallholder agriculture landuse with limited agroforestry. This study explored farmers’ perceptions of climate change and current adaptation strategies, and challenges and opportunities pertaining to the adoption of agroforestry as one of the adaptation option. Results of a survey conducted with 430 farmers within the northern highlands (Musanze District) of Rwanda between August and December 2015 indicate that most farmers perceived a shift in the onset of short rains and they have adapted planting timing accordingly. Analysis of rainfall data shows a recent increase in average monthly rainfall for the short rainy season as well. The results indicate that farmers perceived risks imposed by climate change on certain crops,
5 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...…pollution in streams due to agricultural practices (National Agroforestry Center (U.S.), 2012; Montagnini et al., 2011; Etchevers et al., 2009; Gregory et al., 2009; Sanchez, 2002; Zougmoré et al., 2000; Horwith, 1985 but also to provide additional valuable ESs including fuel wood, stakes for…...
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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
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.
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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.
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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