Publication Date
1997
Description
A mechanistic model for productive grassland was used to simulate annual dry matter yield in relation to fluxes of C, N, and water, and to test the sensitivity to climate change and to elevated [CO2] (2xCO2). Local weather scenarios were derived from the results of two General Circulation Models (GCM) by statistical down-scaling. Annual yield increased by a maximum of 10% without 2xCO2 effects, by 1-16% in response to 2xCO2, and by 6-24% with the combination of climate change and 2xCO2. Decreased evapotranspiration and increased water use efficiency in response to 2xCO2 were partially offset by climate change. The simulations indicated that productivity of grassland is sensitive to changes in climate and elevated [CO2], and that the effects of CO2 are modified by climate change, and hence depend on local soil conditions.
Citation
Fuhrer, J and Riedo, M, "Effects of Climate Change on Grassland Production in Switzerland" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session9/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effects of Climate Change on Grassland Production in Switzerland
A mechanistic model for productive grassland was used to simulate annual dry matter yield in relation to fluxes of C, N, and water, and to test the sensitivity to climate change and to elevated [CO2] (2xCO2). Local weather scenarios were derived from the results of two General Circulation Models (GCM) by statistical down-scaling. Annual yield increased by a maximum of 10% without 2xCO2 effects, by 1-16% in response to 2xCO2, and by 6-24% with the combination of climate change and 2xCO2. Decreased evapotranspiration and increased water use efficiency in response to 2xCO2 were partially offset by climate change. The simulations indicated that productivity of grassland is sensitive to changes in climate and elevated [CO2], and that the effects of CO2 are modified by climate change, and hence depend on local soil conditions.
