KLIFF

  Assessment of future climate change effects on horticultural crops in Lower Saxony. 

Climate change is expected to result in increased near-surface temperature and CO2-concentration as well as augmented weather extremes. This could lead to effects, which degrade the yield of horticultural crops, concerning both quantity and quality. Under certain circumstances these effects might even  cause a total loss of the crop or result in an unsaleable product. Some of these so-called „Knockout-Effects” are related to high temperatures early in the year, concerning vernalisation, devernalisation and bolting. Others are due to the altered frequency of frost or intense rain. The risk of the projected climate change for Lower Saxony is assessed through the study of these effects, followed by the development of adequate strategies of adaptation. The latter will be evaluated according to their usefulness. Risk assessment is conducted based on climate scenarios of high spatiotemporal resolution, plant response models as well as statistic key data of the affected producing area.

Actual MSc.-projects:  Construction of combined growth/yield- and drought stress models for Lactus sativa var capitata and Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis

Team at BGT:

  Holger Hoffmann       Thomas Rath           Charlotte Duncker     Frederik Langner