Transdisciplinary Concepts and Methods
project website
http://www.senckenberg.de/bik-f/english/english.htm
Project:
Knowledge transfer & social-ecological aspects of climate-induced changes in biodiversity
Responsible
Funding:
Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre
Food Systems in the Future
In an IPCC projection (2007) that goes beyond the one predicting a rise in global mean temperature by 1-3°C it is predicted that potential food production worldwide will decrease. Again, there are considerable regional differences to be expected. Africa will be especially affected by this risk: some states can expect a drop in agricultural production of up to 505 by 2020, and up to 909% by 2100 – with far reaching consequences for food security. Shortened growing seasons and increased erosion are two factors that can mutually reinforce one another in the countries concerned. Changes in the composition of vegetation act as an interface between climate changes and the production of biomasses and food. The greatest danger threatens those poor countries and small farmers lacking the resources to compensate, and the socioeconomic and health consequences of climate change caused loss of biodiversity can already be seen.