Keywords
agricultural management, ecosystem services, multi-objective spatial optimization, climate change adaptation
Start Date
1-7-2010 12:00 AM
Abstract
In many European regions, the likely increase in water shortage and extreme weather events during the coming decades may cause more frequent crop loss, yield instability, and make cultivated areas less suitable for traditional crops. Possible adaptation measures are for example changes in crop choice, rotation and a more widespread adoption of irrigation. However, increased water use for irrigation may lead to conflicts with other ecosystem functions. Hence, measures to minimize productivity losses and preserve other ecosystem services such as water regulation, erosion control and nutrient cycling need to be developed. In this paper, we present an approach for identifying optimum adaptation strategies for agricultural management considering multiple ecosystem services and climate change. The method is based on a multi-objective spatial optimization routine which integrates the crop model CropSyst for evaluating the effects of climate and management changes on yields, water consumption, soil erosion and nutrient leaching. The method is illustrated with results from a preliminary model test, where we maximize crop production, while meeting a constraint on agricultural water use for two climate scenarios. Trade-offs between maximum crop production and minimum water use are investigated.
Identifying optimum strategies for agricultural management considering multiple ecosystem services and climate change
In many European regions, the likely increase in water shortage and extreme weather events during the coming decades may cause more frequent crop loss, yield instability, and make cultivated areas less suitable for traditional crops. Possible adaptation measures are for example changes in crop choice, rotation and a more widespread adoption of irrigation. However, increased water use for irrigation may lead to conflicts with other ecosystem functions. Hence, measures to minimize productivity losses and preserve other ecosystem services such as water regulation, erosion control and nutrient cycling need to be developed. In this paper, we present an approach for identifying optimum adaptation strategies for agricultural management considering multiple ecosystem services and climate change. The method is based on a multi-objective spatial optimization routine which integrates the crop model CropSyst for evaluating the effects of climate and management changes on yields, water consumption, soil erosion and nutrient leaching. The method is illustrated with results from a preliminary model test, where we maximize crop production, while meeting a constraint on agricultural water use for two climate scenarios. Trade-offs between maximum crop production and minimum water use are investigated.
