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Ana Igresias
countries, where technological buffering to droughts and floods is less advanced, and
secondly in those regions where the main physical factors affecting production (soils,
terrain and climate) are less suited to farming. A key task facing those concerned
with conducting climate impact assessments is to identify those regions likely to be
most vulnerable to climate change, so that impacts can be avoided (or at least
reduced) through implementation of appropriate measures of adaptation.
3 Understanding the Vulnerability of Mediterranean
Agriculture
Current crop production in the Mediterranean region often fails to meet planned
internal demand and/or export targets, thus altering the economic balance of nations
in the region. Mediterranean crop production is extremely sensitive to large year-toyear weather fluctuations, especially in southern Mediterranean countries, where
technological buffering to droughts is less advanced, and in those areas where other
physical factors affecting production (e.g., soils, terrain) are less suited to farming.
Crop diseases and pest infestations are also weather-dependent, and tend to cause
more damage in countries with lower technological levels.
There is emerging evidence that some areas in the Mediterranean region have
been affected by droughts as a result ofthe regional temperature increases observed
in the 20th century (IPCC TAR, 200 I). Projected adverse impacts of climate change
in the Mediterranean region include general reduction of crop yields and decreased
water availability for agriculture and populations, exacerbated by the projected
changes in extreme weather events (IPCC TAR, 2001). Adaptation of the food
production systems and water resource management is an urgent necessary strategy
in the Southern Mediterranean region at all scales.
4 Which Impacts are Likely to be Important?
Even without climate change, Mediterranean agriculture faces some serious
challenges in the coming decades. The most striking of these are increasing domestic
demand, loss of comparative advantage vis-a-vis international growers, land
deterioration (including salinization), and rising costs due to environmental
protection policies. Competition for international markets will intensify.
Costs of production are likely to rise in a changing climate, as producers adjust
crop varieties and species, scheduling of operations, and land and water
management. Successful adaptations to climate change may imply significant
changes to current agricultural systems, and some of the required changes may be
costly. There is likely to be a need for investment in new technologies and
infrastructure. New irrigation systems may be required where aridity or instability
of precipitation ensues. Damages from flooding may increase, as well. Costs may
include greater applications of and/or development of new agricultural chemicals,
Ana Igresias
countries, where technological buffering to droughts and floods is less advanced, and
secondly in those regions where the main physical factors affecting production (soils,
terrain and climate) are less suited to farming. A key task facing those concerned
with conducting climate impact assessments is to identify those regions likely to be
most vulnerable to climate change, so that impacts can be avoided (or at least
reduced) through implementation of appropriate measures of adaptation.
3 Understanding the Vulnerability of Mediterranean
Agriculture
Current crop production in the Mediterranean region often fails to meet planned
internal demand and/or export targets, thus altering the economic balance of nations
in the region. Mediterranean crop production is extremely sensitive to large year-toyear weather fluctuations, especially in southern Mediterranean countries, where
technological buffering to droughts is less advanced, and in those areas where other
physical factors affecting production (e.g., soils, terrain) are less suited to farming.
Crop diseases and pest infestations are also weather-dependent, and tend to cause
more damage in countries with lower technological levels.
There is emerging evidence that some areas in the Mediterranean region have
been affected by droughts as a result ofthe regional temperature increases observed
in the 20th century (IPCC TAR, 200 I). Projected adverse impacts of climate change
in the Mediterranean region include general reduction of crop yields and decreased
water availability for agriculture and populations, exacerbated by the projected
changes in extreme weather events (IPCC TAR, 2001). Adaptation of the food
production systems and water resource management is an urgent necessary strategy
in the Southern Mediterranean region at all scales.
4 Which Impacts are Likely to be Important?
Even without climate change, Mediterranean agriculture faces some serious
challenges in the coming decades. The most striking of these are increasing domestic
demand, loss of comparative advantage vis-a-vis international growers, land
deterioration (including salinization), and rising costs due to environmental
protection policies. Competition for international markets will intensify.
Costs of production are likely to rise in a changing climate, as producers adjust
crop varieties and species, scheduling of operations, and land and water
management. Successful adaptations to climate change may imply significant
changes to current agricultural systems, and some of the required changes may be
costly. There is likely to be a need for investment in new technologies and
infrastructure. New irrigation systems may be required where aridity or instability
of precipitation ensues. Damages from flooding may increase, as well. Costs may
include greater applications of and/or development of new agricultural chemicals,