REVIEW REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE & AGRO-CLIMATOLOGY – A GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVE
A. INTRODUCTION
Background on Agro-climatology
Definition and Scope: Agro-climatology is the interdisciplinary study of the interactions between
climatic conditions and agricultural systems. It encompasses weather patterns, temperature,
precipitation, and atmospheric conditions affecting crop and livestock production.
Importance: As a cornerstone of agricultural engineering, agro-climatology aids in designing
climate-resilient farming systems, ensuring sustainable yields and food security.
Climate Change Impacts: Climate change intensifies climate variability and extremes such as
droughts, floods, and heatwaves, threatening global crop yields and food systems stability.
Objectives of the Review
Purpose: This review aims to assess three key peer-reviewed studies that explore the impacts of
climate extremes and broader climate change on global agricultural productivity.
Importance: Understanding climate-crop interactions is crucial for developing adaptive farming
strategies, policy frameworks, and climate-resilient agricultural technologies.
Structure Overview: The report includes a methodology section, detailed summaries of selected
studies, synthesis of findings, critical analysis, proposed future research directions, and concluding
remarks.
B. METHODOLOGY
Literature Selection Process
Selection Criteria: Studies were chosen based on relevance to climate impacts on agriculture,
peer-reviewed status, and publication in Q1-ranked journals.
Databases Used: Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science using search terms like “climate
change crop yield,” “agro-climatic impacts,” and “economic effects of climate change on
agriculture.”
Justification: The selected studies represent a comprehensive perspective—addressing climatic
extremes, economic impacts, and physiological crop responses globally.
Analytical Approach
Framework: Each paper is critically examined by identifying research objectives, methodologies,
findings, and conclusions.
Synthesis Method: Thematic analysis across papers to determine common patterns, divergences,
and implications.
Gap Identification: Insights are drawn for future research based on study limitations and
emerging areas.
C. SUMMARY OF SELECTED PAPERS
Climate Extremes and Crop Yields:
• Heatwaves and droughts reduce yields significantly, especially for maize, wheat, and
soybean (Vogel et al., 2019; Lobell & Gourdji, 2012).
• Rainfall variability disrupts sowing and harvest cycles, impacting productivity in tropical
and subtropical regions.
Economic Consequences:
• Climate change could reduce agricultural GDP by 10–25% in vulnerable regions (Fróna et
al., 2021).
• Food insecurity and economic inequality are likely to increase as adaptation gaps widen.
Crop Physiology and Modeling Insights:
• Crop sensitivity to heat is often underestimated in current models (Lobell & Gourdji, 2012).
• CO₂ fertilization effects are limited under extreme climatic stress.
Conclusions Across Studies:
• Climate change and extremes are already impacting global agriculture.
• Urgent adaptation is needed in agronomic practices, breeding programs, and economic
planning.
• Global efforts must prioritize resilience in low-income and climate-vulnerable regions.
D. SYNTHESIS OF FINDINGS
Climate Extremes and Agricultural Yields
• All studies highlight yield reduction due to climate extremes like heatwaves and rainfall
variability.
• Vulnerability is regionally skewed, with tropical countries at greater risk.
• Crops such as maize and wheat are consistently identified as climate-sensitive.
Economic Implications
• Losses in agricultural GDP due to climate impacts are significant in developing regions.
• Food price shocks and trade disruptions pose global risks.
• Adaptation costs are higher for low-income countries, highlighting economic disparity.
Long-term Productivity Trends
• Historical data confirm declining yield trends under warming.
• Projections indicate worsening outcomes without adaptive interventions.
• Technological innovations (e.g., drought-tolerant seeds) are crucial for resilience.
E. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Strengths
• Use of large-scale, long-term datasets.
• Integration of climate, economic, and physiological modeling.
• Comprehensive geographic and crop-type coverage.
Limitations and Gaps
• Insufficient representation of marginal crops and localized farm-level impacts.
• Economic models may oversimplify socio-political adaptation barriers.
• Climate model uncertainty persists in predicting extreme events.
Practical Applications
• Informing climate-resilient crop breeding programs.
• Supporting climate-smart policy frameworks for food security.
• Promoting precision agriculture and early warning systems.
F. FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Emerging Areas
• Multiscale modeling that integrates weather, soil, and socio-economic layers.
• AI and machine learning for predicting and managing climate risks.
• Transdisciplinary studies combining agronomy, economics, and climate science.
Methodological Improvements
• Enhanced downscaling techniques for regional climate models.
• Inclusion of farmer behavior and decision-making in climate impact models.
• Leveraging remote sensing for real-time yield and stress monitoring.
G. CONCLUSION
Summary of Key Insights
• Climate change and extremes are already affecting global crop productivity.
• Economic and physiological consequences are severe and unequally distributed.
• Adaptation through technology, policy, and research is urgent.
Implications for Agricultural Engineering
• Engineers play a critical role in designing adaptive infrastructure, tools, and irrigation
systems.
• Collaboration with climatologists and economists is vital to creating holistic solutions.
Closing Remarks
• Agro-climatology is central to ensuring food security in a changing climate.
• Continued investment in interdisciplinary research and data-driven adaptation is needed.
H. References
• Vogel, E., Donat, M. G., Alexander, L. V., Meinshausen, M., Ray, D. K., Karoly, D., ... &
Frieler, K. (2019). The effects of climate extremes on global agricultural
yields. Environmental Research Letters, 14(5), 054010.
• Fróna, D., Szenderák, J., & Harangi-Rákos, M. (2021). Economic effects of climate change
on global agricultural production. Nature Conservation, 44, 117-139.
• Lobell, D. B., & Gourdji, S. M. (2012). The influence of climate change on global crop
productivity. Plant physiology, 160(4), 1686-1697.
