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A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 25289

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carlos Silveira

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Guest Editor

Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: precision farming; climate change; atmosphere-biosphere interactions; vegetation and land use change dynamics; atmospheric emissions and pollution; human exposure assessment; remote sensing; geographic information systems

Dr. Sandra Rafael

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Guest Editor

CESAM, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: air quality modelling; climate change; nature-based solutions; urban resilience; urban surface energy balance
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Prof. Dr. António Castro Ribeiro

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Mountain Research Center (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
Interests: biometeorology; climate change; water management; soil-plant-atmosphere interactions.

Prof. Dr. Myriam Lopes

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Guest Editor

CESAM & Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: air quality management; climate change mitigation and adaptation; environmental management and sustainability; urban metabolism and circular economy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change impacts are a transversal and global concern. The exponential population growth, the consequent need to increase food production, and the role of meteorology in agriculture make this sector one of the activity areas most affected by climate change. In turn, agriculture is an important contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the way resources and production factors are often managed to meet these agricultural needs may have strong climate implications. Accordingly, the aim of this Special Issue is to gather new scientific findings and critical reviews covering the relationships between climate change, agricultural management practices, and results throughout the agricultural calendar. With this purpose, we invite researchers to share and present their work related, but not limited, to the following topics:

Analysis of recent past climate and mid/long-term projections
Impact of extreme weather events, such as high temperatures, droughts and heavy rainfall
Soil, water and air pollution
Atmosphere–biosphere interactions focused on carbon sequestration and water and energy budgets
Climate adaptation and resilience of agricultural crops
Biophysical environment monitoring in different crop phenological stages (e.g., vegetative vigour and health, soil water availability, nutritional status, presence of pests and diseases)
Climate effects on crop yield, quality and profitability
Technological innovation in agriculture aimed at enhancing the efficient use of resources (e.g., machinery, manpower) and production factors (e.g., water, fertilizers), as well as to mitigate climate change
Life cycle assessment in different cropping phases (soil management, irrigation, fertilization, phytosanitary treatments, pruning and harvesting) and its their places in the circular economy
Cost–benefit analysis of joint strategies for crop management and greenhouse gas mitigation
Human exposure assessment to agrochemicals and local weather conditions

Dr. Carlos Silveira
Dr. Sandra Rafael
Prof. Dr. António Castro Ribeiro
Prof. Dr. Myriam Lopes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

climate change
atmosphere-biosphere interactions
adaptation and resilience
crop yields
technological innovation
circular economy
cost-effective management strategies
human health

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1160 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Impact on Sustainable Agricultural Growth: Insights from Rural Areas

by Nawab Khan, Jiliang Ma, Huijie Zhang and Shemei Zhang

Atmosphere 2023, 14(8), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14081194 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3275

Abstract

Agricultural production and advancement is significantly affected by climate change (CC), especially in drought-prone regions where farmers depend primarily on rainfall for their livelihoods. One of the main threats to the agricultural sector for decades has been global warming, and the sector is particularly susceptible to climatic circumstances. CC has become a crucial concern impeding sustainable development due to rapid changes in urbanization, industry, and agricultural systems. Food security, which is a worldwide concern, is another essential component connected to a country’s economy and people’s livelihoods. In view of these adverse consequences, the main objective of this study was to examine the impact of CC and food security on sustainable agricultural development in Pakistan. The study area was selected from twenty-four districts in two provinces of Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). Collectively, the current research offers possible solutions to the dilemmas described above, which could have a significant impact on improving efficiency and technological progress. To address these issues, we introduced a slack-based approach to quantify inefficiencies in overall agricultural production. In addition, this study further scrutinized the decomposition of specific variables. The results show that Pakistan has an agricultural inefficiency of 0.62 under CC and food security constraints, of which 0.29 is primarily attributable to food security limitations. In the end, this study will help policymakers to make appropriate decisions to minimize the impact of CC on sustainable agriculture growth and improve human living standards and food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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19 pages, 7411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Ranking of ENSO Impacts along the Eastern Seaboard of Subtropical Southern Africa

by Ross C. Blamey and Chris J. C. Reason

Atmosphere 2023, 14(6), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14061042 - 17 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2083

Abstract

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant mode of interannual climate variability over southern Africa during the summer half of the year. It is widely accepted that El Niño (La Niña) core summers (December–February) are typically warmer and drier (cooler and wetter) than average over the region. Although it is recognized that the ENSO impacts are nonlinear and not all events result in the expected impact, little or no work has been carried out to systematically explore the diversity and ranking of these impacts. Here, parameter-space bubble plots involving various rainfall and temperature metrics are used to study how such impacts vary over the eastern seaboard of subtropical southern Africa to determine the ENSO events with the strongest impacts, and to identify the most anomalous ENSO cases. Comparison of neutral summers experiencing the strongest droughts/floods with ENSO impacts is also performed. These metrics are designed to be applicable to the interests of farmers and other user groups. It is found that 1987/1988 (2017/2018) was the most unusual El Niño (La Niña) and neutral 1981/1982 had a severe drought, worse than occurs during most El Niños. These unusual cases are explained in terms of regional circulation and SST anomalies. Implications of the results for seasonal forecasting and for farmers are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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15 pages, 4561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change and Its Impact on the Agricultural Calendar of Riverine Farmers in Médio Juruá, Amazonas State, Brazil

by Mônica Alves de Vasconcelos, José Augusto Paixão Veiga, Josivaldo Lucas Galvão Silva, David Franklin Guimarães, Adriane Lima Brito, Yara Luiza Farias dos Santos, Myriam Lopes, Adriana Lira Lima and Erilane Teixeira de Oliveira

Atmosphere 2022, 13(12), 2018; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13122018 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2683

Abstract

The labor relationship developed by the Amazonian riverside dwellers is weakened due to changes in temperature, the flood pulse, the ebb tide of the rivers, and precipitation. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate the impacts of climate change on the socio-biodiversity chains in the region of Médio Juruá-Amazonas. Collections were carried out in two communities located in the Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS) Uacari, in July 2022, through participatory workshops. The communities affirm that the extreme flood events of the Juruá River are more intense in recent years, both concerning the extreme levels of the river and in periodicity and speed of flooding. The large floods have impacted the productive calendar, generating losses for farmers. In addition, rubber trees and cassava plantations have been dying with the large floods, and oil seeds are being carried by the water before harvest. The physical data of the Juruá River shows a trend of increasing extreme floods over the last 40 years for the period November to April, highlighting the years 2013 to 2015 and 2021 with the largest positive anomalies. Farmers have adapted their calendars, modified some planting areas to locations with higher altitudes and farther from the river banks, and have sought new rubber matrices. The results point to the need for mitigation and adaptation measures promoted by local governments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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21 pages, 3100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Climate Change on the Lives of Riverine Farmers on the Lower Rio Negro, Amazon

by Mônica Alves de Vasconcelos, Henrique dos Santos Pereira, Myriam Lopes and David Franklin da Silva Guimarães

Atmosphere 2022, 13(11), 1906; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13111906 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2111

Abstract

Global climate change, although gradual, is already clearly perceptible for the whole society; however, its impacts affect individuals and regions in diverse ways. Riverine communities in the Brazilian Amazon are highly vulnerable to this change, as seasonal hydroclimatic cycles govern their daily lives, integrate their way of life with the environment, and determine the organization of social and agricultural calendars. This work aimed to understand the impacts caused by climate change on the lives of riverine family farmers on the lower Rio Negro. Initially, through the analysis of changes in hydroclimatic trends and, later, through the description of perception, we tried to present the impacts on the ways of life to then know the climate adaptation strategies. The research was carried out in the state of Amazonas, in the riverine communities Tiririca, Marajá, Santo Antônio, and Terra Preta, located in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve, with 43 subjects through semi-structured and focus group interviews. Historical trends in the seasonality of the hydrological regime, precipitation, and temperature were analyzed, while qualitative data from environmental perception were analyzed using the technique of content analysis. Physical records of local climate variability and environmental perception are, in most cases, compatible and indicate that hydroclimatic cycles are changing. For the riverine people, the rains have been decreasing and there is unanimity in the perception that the increase in temperature is a reality that has affected their way of life at work, education, health, and food. Although communities have been developing spontaneous adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change, effective public policies need to reinforce these local responses to climate variability, contributing to the quality of life of populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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15 pages, 1582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Adaptation Measures Used to Alleviate Heat Stress Appropriate to Reduce Ammonia Emissions?

by Barbara Scherllin-Pirscher, Christian Mikovits, Kathrin Baumann-Stanzer, Martin Piringer and Günther Schauberger

Atmosphere 2022, 13(11), 1786; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13111786 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1741

Abstract

The emission of ammonia (NH₃) is predominantly caused by agriculture, especially by livestock keeping. The health effects of NH₃ and the related formation of particulate matter are the reasons for solid efforts to reduce their ambient concentrations. In addition, the impact of global warming on livestock is increasing due to heat stress, likely also increasing NH₃ emissions. Therefore, adaptation measures are under discussion to reduce the heat stress of animals inside livestock units. Because of the relationship between temperature increase and NH₃ release, the impact of the adaptation measures to cool the indoor air of livestock units (three different energy-saving air preparation systems, an inversion of the feeding and resting times by half a day, a reduction of the stocking density and doubling the maximum volume flow rate) was investigated. The NH₃ release was calculated by the following predictors: indoor air temperature; ventilation rate describing the turbulence inside the livestock building; and the diurnal variation caused by the animal activity. These parameters were calculated by a simulation model for the indoor climate of livestock buildings. The monthly mean of the NH₃ emission for several adaptation measures, which were applied to reduce heat stress, were compared with the emission of a reference building for 1800 fattening pigs, divided into nine sections with 200 animals each for an all-in-all-out production cycle to calculate the mitigation potential. The higher the cooling power of such adaptation measures, the higher the mitigation potential for NH₃. In particular, those adaptation measures which cool the inlet air (e.g., cooling pads reduce the emission by −2%, earth-air heat exchangers by −3.1%) show the best performance to mitigate the NH₃ emission of livestock buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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24 pages, 3869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Variability, Trends, and Potential Impacts of Extreme Rainfall Events in the Sudano-Sahelian Region of Cameroon

by Ibrahim Njouenwet, Lucie Angennes Djiotang Tchotchou, Brian Odhiambo Ayugi, Guy Merlin Guenang, Derbetini Appolinaire Vondou and Robert Nouayou

Atmosphere 2022, 13(10), 1599; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13101599 - 29 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2496

Abstract

The Sudano-Sahelian region of Cameroon is mainly drained by the Benue, Chari, and Logone rivers; which are very useful for water resources; especially for irrigation, hydropower generation, and navigation. Long-term changes in mean and extreme rainfall events in the region may be of crucial importance in understanding the impacts of climate change. Daily and monthly rainfall data from fifteen climate stations in the study area from 1980 to 2018 and measurements from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI) were estimated using the non-parametric innovative trend analysis (ITA) and the Sen slope estimator. The precipitation concentration index (PCI), the precipitation concentration degree (PCD), and the precipitation concentration period (PCP) were used to explore the spatiotemporal variations in the characteristics of rainfall concentrations. The results showed complex spatial patterns of the annual average PCI values across the Sudano-Sahelian region; which varied from values lower in the south to higher in the far north, which were the characteristic of seasonality and a strong seasonal precipitation distribution throughout the year; respectively. The PCD results revealed that the annual rainy days in a year decreased from the south to the far north. Additionally, the PCP results indicated a slightly later occurrence of precipitation. A significant trend toward more intense–extreme rainfall events was observed in most parts of the study area, but a significant trend toward more humid days was observed in the southeastern part. Trends in dry days significantly increased in the central and southwestern parts of the study area. This could mean that the prevalence of flood and drought risks are higher in the study area. Overall, the increase in annual rainfall could benefit the hydro-power sector, agricultural irrigation, the availability of potable water sources, and food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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21 pages, 9200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Frost Conditions Due to Climate Change in South-Eastern Europe via a High-Spatiotemporal-Resolution Dataset

by Ioannis Charalampopoulos and Fotoula Droulia

Atmosphere 2022, 13(9), 1407; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13091407 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2411

Abstract

Frost incidents comprise significant extreme weather events owing to climate change, possibly endangering the agricultural sector of the already impacted south-eastern European area. Thus, the comprehensive evaluation of the frost conditions under the climate regime for eleven countries was conducted by calculating relevant frost agroclimatic indicators under three time horizons (1985 to 2015, 2005 to 2035 and 2015 to 2045). The Frost Days (FD), Free of Frost Days (FFD), Last Spring Frost (LSF) and First Autumn Frost (FAF) were estimated daily over a grid of 25 × 25 km. We demonstrated that the FD will be reduced according to the balanced A1B emissions scenario over the entire examined area with the mountainous and continental regions being most affected. From 2005 to 2035, a higher LSF reduction is expected over Greece and Albania and the earlier FAF in high altitude areas. All examined regions are projected to face delayed FAF, from 2015 to 2045. In general, all countries will face an increase in the growing season duration owing to the increase of the FFD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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Review

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35 pages, 1868 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Observed Climate Change in Europe and Its Impacts on Viticulture

by Fotoula Droulia and Ioannis Charalampopoulos

Atmosphere 2022, 13(5), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13050837 - 20 May 2022

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6522

Abstract

The European climate is changing displaying profound impacts on agriculture, thus strongly reaching the scientific community’s attention. In this review, the compilation of selected scientific research on the agroclimatic conditions’ changes and their impact on the productivity parameters (phenology timing, product quality and quantity) of grapevines and on the spatiotemporal characteristics of the viticultural areas are attempted for the first time. For this purpose, a thorough investigation through multiple search queries was conducted for the period (2005–2021). Overall, increasing (decreasing) trends in critical temperature (precipitation) parameters are the reality of the recent past with visible impacts on viticulture. The observed climate warming already enforces emerging phenomena related to the modification of the developmental rate (earlier phenological events, shortening of phenological intervals, lengthening of the growing season, earlier harvest), the alteration of product quality, the heterogeneous effects on grapevine yield and the emergence of new cool-climate viticulture areas highlighting the cultivation’s rebirth in the northern and central parts of the continent. The vulnerability of the wine-growing ecosystem urges the integration of innovative and sustainable solutions for confronting the impacts of climate change and safeguarding the production (quantity and quality) capacity of viticultural systems in Europe under a continuously changing environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture)

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