Research challenges in adapting grasslands to climate change

Publication date: 26/07/2018
Extent: 16 pages

Contributions by: Richard Kipling, Aberystwyth University, UK

Chapter synopsis: Climate change poses many challenges to European grasslands, from droughts, heat waves and changing precipitation patterns in the south, to warmer winters and wetter summers in the north and increasing frequency of extreme weather events. This chapter reviews the probable impacts of climate change and associated challenges, considering the external context and the adaptiveness of European grassland systems. The chapter includes a number of detailed case studies of climate change impacts and adaptation options from Finland, Italy and Austria. Finally, the chapter considers the challenges and limitations for climate change mitigation in grasslands and priorities for research, providing detailed guidance on further reading on the topic.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0024.05