(Review)
a IBERS, Aberystwyth University, 1st Floor, Stapledon Building, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth Ceredigion, United Kingdom
b Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Halolantie 31 A, Maaninka, Finland
c Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme, Systemmodellierung Gemüsebau, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, Hannover,
b Green Technology, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Halolantie 31 A, Maaninka, Finland
c Leibniz Universität Hannover, Institut für Gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme, Systemmodellierung Gemüsebau, Herrenhäuser Straße 2, Hannover,
Abstract
Grassland-based ruminant production systems are integral to sustainable food production in Europe, converting plant materials indigestible to humans into nutritious food, while providing a range of environmental and cultural benefits. Climate change poses significant challenges for such systems, their productivity and the wider benefits they supply. In this context, grassland models have an important role in predicting and understanding the impacts of climate change on grassland systems, and assessing the efficacy of potential adaptation and mitigation strategies. In order to identify the key challenges for European grassland modelling under climate change, modellers and researchers from across Europe were consulted via workshop and questionnaire. Participants identified fifteen challenges and considered the current state of modelling and priorities for future research in relation to each. A review of literature was undertaken to corroborate and enrich the information provided during the horizon scanning activities. Challenges were in four categories relating to: 1) the direct and indirect effects of climate change on the sward 2) climate change effects on grassland systems outputs 3) mediation of climate change impacts by site, system and management and 4) cross-cutting methodological issues. While research priorities differed between challenges, an underlying theme was the need for accessible, shared inventories of models, approaches and data, as a resource for stakeholders and to stimulate new research. Developing grassland models to effectively support efforts to tackle climate change impacts, while increasing productivity and enhancing ecosystem services, will require engagement with stakeholders and policy-makers, as well as modellers and experimental researchers across many disciplines. The challenges and priorities identified are intended to be a resource 1) for grassland modellers and experimental researchers, to stimulate the development of new research directions and collaborative opportunities, and 2) for policy-makers involved in shaping the research agenda for European grassland modelling under climate change. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.
Author keywords
Climate change; Grasslands; Horizon scanning; Livestock production; Models; Research agenda
Indexed keywords
Engineering controlled terms: Agriculture; Climate models; Decision making; Ecosystems; Models; Productivity
Climate change impact; Ecosystem services; Grasslands; Horizon scanning; Livestock production; Mitigation strategy; Research agenda; Research priorities
Engineering main heading: Climate change
GEOBASE Subject Index: climate change; grassland; livestock farming; modeling; research
Regional Index: Europe
ISSN: 00489697 CODEN: STEVASource Type: Journal Original language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.144Document Type: Review
Publisher: Elsevier
Kipling, R.P.; IBERS, Aberystwyth University, 1st Floor, Stapledon Building, United Kingdom; email:rpk@aber.ac.uk
© Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
© Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
