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Climate
Special Issues
Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture
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Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture

A special issue of Climate (ISSN 2225-1154).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 21645

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sari J. Himanen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
Interests: agrobiodiversity; climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture; ecological intensification; ecosystem services
Dr. Elena Grigorieva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Visiting Researcher, Department of Climate Geography, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10099 Berlin, Germany
Interests: climate change; bioclimate; human health; acclimatisation in extreme climates; climate for agriculture; climate; tourism and recreation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the major challenges of our time; both have had varied impacts on natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems. Agriculture is one of the most vulnerable and influential sectors on actions in science, policy, and practice to build proactive adaptation. This issue aims to help move forward towards more climate-smart and biodiverse.

Agroecological approaches are central in designing pathways for enhanced sustainability and resilience in agroecosystems. They can improve understanding of agroecosystem functions and ecological interactions, innovative nature-based solutions, or strategies for strengthening agrobiodiversity. Studies aiming to combine mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, or support for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are particularly encouraged. Systematic reviews, along with qualitative approaches on co-designing solutions together with stakeholders, are also very welcome. Overall, this issue makes efforts to exemplify agroecological approaches that contribute to sustaining more climate-smart, biodiverse and resilient agriculture, now and in the future.

Dr. Sari J. Himanen
Dr. Elena Grigorieva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Climate is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Agriculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem Services
  • Agroecosystem Diversification
  • Resilience Building

Published Papers (6 papers)

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11 pages, 1899 KiB  
Article
Mitigation of Climate Change for Urban Agriculture: Water Management of Culinary Herbs Grown in an Extensive Green Roof Environment
by Stuart Alan Walters, Christina Gajewski, Amir Sadeghpour and John W. Groninger
Climate 2022, 10(11), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli10110180 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
Extensive green roofs provide space for local agriculture in dense urban environments. However, already extreme drought and heat conditions on green roofs are likely to worsen under future climates, challenging urban crop production and impeding food security. The potential productivity of annual and [...] Read more.
Extensive green roofs provide space for local agriculture in dense urban environments. However, already extreme drought and heat conditions on green roofs are likely to worsen under future climates, challenging urban crop production and impeding food security. The potential productivity of annual and perennial culinary herbs on an extensive green roof (~8 cm depth) with minimal, but consistent, water inputs was evaluated within a humid, subtropical climate (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA). Vigor, growth, and overwintering ability of four different perennial culinary herbs, namely garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead Dwarf’), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and winter thyme (Thymus vulgaris ‘Winter Thyme’), as well as vigor and growth of annual ‘Italian large-leaf’ basil (Ocimum basilicum) were evaluated under twice-weekly, weekly, and fortnightly water applications of 1 L to each plant. All species of perennial herbs produced greater dry perennial biomass and overwintering potential under the two most frequent water applications. Similarly, with weekly water applications, basil proved highly suitable for production in an extensive green roof environment. Weekly watering was required to provide commercially viable plant growth, vigor, and overwinter survival for all perennial herbs. These results indicate that supplemental water is an important consideration for sustaining culinary herb production on extensive green roofs with the increasingly hot and dry conditions provided under the climate change scenarios projected for cities currently experiencing temperate climates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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17 pages, 1685 KiB  
Article
Harnessing Chlorophyll Fluorescence for Phenotyping Analysis of Wild and Cultivated Tomato for High Photochemical Efficiency under Water Deficit for Climate Change Resilience
by Ilektra Sperdouli, Ifigeneia Mellidou and Michael Moustakas
Climate 2021, 9(11), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9110154 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3103
Abstract
Fluctuations of the weather conditions, due to global climate change, greatly influence plant growth and development, eventually affecting crop yield and quality, but also plant survival. Since water shortage is one of the key risks for the future of agriculture, exploring the capability [...] Read more.
Fluctuations of the weather conditions, due to global climate change, greatly influence plant growth and development, eventually affecting crop yield and quality, but also plant survival. Since water shortage is one of the key risks for the future of agriculture, exploring the capability of crop species to grow with limited water is therefore fundamental. By using chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, we evaluated the responses of wild tomato accession Solanum pennellii LA0716, Solanum lycopersicum cv. Μ82, the introgression line IL12-4 (from cv. M82 Χ LA0716), and the Greek tomato cultivars cv. Santorini and cv. Zakinthos, to moderate drought stress (MoDS) and severe drought stress (SDS), in order to identify the minimum irrigation level for efficient photosynthetic performance. Agronomic traits (plant height, number of leaves and root/shoot biomass), relative water content (RWC), and lipid peroxidation, were also measured. Under almost 50% deficit irrigation, S. pennellii exhibited an enhanced photosynthetic function by displaying a hormetic response of electron transport rate (ETR), due to an increased fraction of open reaction centers, it is suggested to be activated by the low increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A low increase of ROS is regarded to be beneficial by stimulating defense responses and also triggering a more oxidized redox state of quinone A (QA), corresponding in S. pennellii under 50% deficit irrigation, to the lowest stomatal opening, resulting in reduction of water loss. Solanumpennellii was the most tolerant to drought, as it was expected, and could manage to have an adequate photochemical function with almost 30% water regime of well-watered plants. With 50% deficit irrigation, cv. Μ82 and cv. Santorini did not show any difference in photochemical efficiency to control plants and are recommended to be cultivated under deficit irrigation as an effective strategy to enhance agricultural sustainability under a global climate change. We conclude that instead of the previously used Fv/Fm ratio, the redox state of QA, as it can be estimated by the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter 1 - qL, is a better indicator to evaluate photosynthetic efficiency and select drought tolerant cultivars under deficit irrigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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13 pages, 2270 KiB  
Article
Local Melon and Watermelon Crop Populations to Moderate Yield Responses to Climate Change in North Africa
by Stuart Alan Walters, Mimouni Abdelaziz and Rachid Bouharroud
Climate 2021, 9(8), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9080129 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5065
Abstract
Climate change is having a tremendous influence on world food production, with arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas especially susceptible. In these areas, locally adapted crop varieties or landraces can be used to mitigate the influence of climate change on current and future [...] Read more.
Climate change is having a tremendous influence on world food production, with arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas especially susceptible. In these areas, locally adapted crop varieties or landraces can be used to mitigate the influence of climate change on current and future food security challenges. The high genetic diversity within these populations allows for crops to adapt to changing environments or other stresses that influence growth and productivity. Thus, local Moroccan melon (Cucumis melo) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) landraces were compared to pure-line varieties in southwestern Morocco to identify their adaptability and possible ability to mitigate current and future climate change. Results indicated that the melon and watermelon landraces evaluated most likely could help mitigate yield losses from climate change in this area of Morocco. ‘AitOulyad’, a local muskmelon type, and ‘Rasmouka Ananas’ were both outstanding melon landraces with high plant vigor and yields. For watermelon, ‘AitOulyad’ had extremely high yields but had high numbers of seed in the flesh, while ‘Rasmouka’ had a lower yield, fewer seeds in the flesh, and a higher fruit consistency. This research indicates that melon and watermelon landraces in this area of southwestern Morocco with a semi-arid to arid climate will continue to play a major role in crop adaptation to maintain high productivity under a rapidly changing environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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17 pages, 7481 KiB  
Article
Projections of Local Knowledge-Based Adaptation Strategies of Mexican Coffee Farmers
by Patricia Ruiz-García, Cecilia Conde-Álvarez, Jesús David Gómez-Díaz and Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas
Climate 2021, 9(4), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9040060 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3182
Abstract
Local knowledge can be a strategy for coping with extreme events and adapting to climate change. In Mexico, extreme events and climate change projections suggest the urgency of promoting local adaptation policies and strategies. This paper provides an assessment of adaptation actions based [...] Read more.
Local knowledge can be a strategy for coping with extreme events and adapting to climate change. In Mexico, extreme events and climate change projections suggest the urgency of promoting local adaptation policies and strategies. This paper provides an assessment of adaptation actions based on the local knowledge of coffee farmers in southern Mexico. The strategies include collective and individual adaptation actions that farmers have established. To determine their viability and impacts, carbon stocks and fluxes in the system’s aboveground biomass were projected, along with water balance variables. Stored carbon contents are projected to increase by more than 90%, while maintaining agroforestry systems will also help serve to protect against extreme hydrological events. Finally, the integration of local knowledge into national climate change adaptation plans is discussed and suggested with a local focus. We conclude that local knowledge can be successful in conserving agroecological coffee production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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13 pages, 2506 KiB  
Article
Intervention of Climate-Smart Practices in Wheat under Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Nepal
by Janma Jaya Gairhe, Mandeep Adhikari, Deepak Ghimire, Arun Khatri-Chhetri and Dinesh Panday
Climate 2021, 9(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9020019 - 20 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4091
Abstract
Besides a proper agronomic management followed by Nepalese farmers, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has been severely affected by changing climate. There are many interventions, including climate-smart practices, to cope with this situation and possibly enhance crop and soil productivity. Field experiments [...] Read more.
Besides a proper agronomic management followed by Nepalese farmers, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production has been severely affected by changing climate. There are many interventions, including climate-smart practices, to cope with this situation and possibly enhance crop and soil productivity. Field experiments were set up in a randomized complete block design with six treatments (TRT) with four replications in three locations (LOC) during wheat-growing seasons in Nepal from 2014 to 2016. Treatments included (i) Controlled Practice (CP), (ii) Improved Low (IL), (iii) Improved High (IH), (iv) Climate Smart Agriculture Low (CSAL), (v) Climate Smart Agriculture Medium (CSAM), and (vi) Climate Smart Agriculture High (CSAH), whereas those LOC were Banke, Rupandehi and Morang districts. There was a significant main effect of TRT and LOC on grain yield and a significant interactionn effect of TRT × LOC on biomass yield in 2014–2015. About 55.5% additional grain yield was produced from CSAM treatment compared to CP in 2014–2015. Among locations, grain yield was the highest in Banke (3772.35 kg ha−1) followed by Rupandehi (2504.47 kg ha−1) and Morang districts (2504.47 kg ha−1). In 2015–2016, there was a significant interaction effect of TRT × LOC on grain and biomass yields. The highest grain yield was produced from CSAH treatment in Banke district in 2015–2016. Overall, grain yield and other parameters showed a better response with either of the climate-smart interventions (mostly CSAH or CSAM) despite variability in geography, climate, and other environmental factors indicating the potential of climate-smart practices to improve wheat production in southern plains of Nepal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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11 pages, 203 KiB  
Perspective
Adaptation to Climate Change by Australian Farmers
by John Freebairn
Climate 2021, 9(9), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9090141 - 16 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2542
Abstract
Climate change in the form of higher temperatures, changes of rainfall patterns, and for some, more natural disasters will reduce the returns from current farming choices on what to produce and the production methods. Variation of climate change across regions and uncertainty about [...] Read more.
Climate change in the form of higher temperatures, changes of rainfall patterns, and for some, more natural disasters will reduce the returns from current farming choices on what to produce and the production methods. Variation of climate change across regions and uncertainty about the magnitudes of change call for a diverse mix of adaptations to climate change across different regions and individual farms. This paper considers the institutional structure for effective climate change adaptation by Australian farms. It is argued that a rerun of the history of successful adaptation of farms to new technology, changes in output and input prices, natural climate variation, and other circumstances can be repeated for climate change adaptation. Individual farms can benefit from incentives and rewards to revise their decisions, which will combine with better individual outcomes. Complementary support by the government includes the provision of climate change and weather forecast information, support for research into new technology, help to evaluate the pros and cons of alternative choices, and provision of a social safety net for those unable to adapt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agroecological Approaches for Climate-Smart and Biodiverse Agriculture)
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