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Schneider, U. (2014). Land use science in the 21st century. FACCE MACSUR Mid-term Scientific Conference, 3(S) Sassari, Italy.
Abstract: Political, technical, environmental, and scientific developments in the last decades have affected the aims and scope of modern land use research. Attention has shifted from a relatively narrow analysis of food and non-food production to more comprehensive studies of land based ecosystem services. A growing number of integrated assessments attempt to guide the future development of agricultural lands, managed forests, and terrestrial ecosystems in the coming decades towards efficiency and sustainability. The increasing links between distinct disciplines create many scientific opportunities but also new challenges. This talk will provide a brief summary of past achievements in integrated land use modeling and outline strategies for future development.
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Ewert, F., & Rötter, R. (2014). MACSUR CropM – progress overview. FACCE MACSUR Mid-term Scientific Conference, 3(S) Sassari, Italy.
Abstract: Activities in the first 1 ½ years of CropM were related to key issues identified as critical at the beginning of the FACCE MACSUR the knowledge Hub. These include: Model intercomparisonGeneration of new data for model improvementMethods for scaling and model linkingUncertainty analysisBuilding research capacity Climate scenario data for crop models The key ambition of CropM has been to develop scientific excellence on methods for a comprehensive assessment of climate change impact, adaptation and policy on European crop production, agriculture and food security. Much progress has been made in developing a first shared continental assessment and tool for: A range of important cropsImportant crop rotationsAdvanced scaling methodsAdvanced link to farm and sector modelsNovel impact uncertainty assessment and reportingState-of-the-art scenario construction A number of concrete studies towards this aim have been launched in CropM workpackages (WPs): WP1-2: Two multi-facetted studies on crop rotation, launched in summer 2013 WP3: comprehensive scaling exercises, launched in March 2013WP4: Studies on (a) Climate scenario development, (b) impact response surface method and (c) Extremes, launched in summer 2013WP5: Analysis of transect across Europe with temperature effect (Space for Time) In addition, extended activities related to capacity building including several PhD courses (WP5) workshops (in WPs1-4) and an International Symposium (10-12 Feb, Oslo, Norway) have been organized. Present and future work is and will be focused on framing and advancing crop modelling as integrated part of comprehensive climate risk assessment and modelling of agricultural systems for food security from farm to supra-national level.
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Kipling, R. P., Saetnan, E. R., Van den Pol-van Dasselaar, A., & Scollan, N. G. (2014). Building modelling capacity for livestock systems: progress in LiveM. FACCE MACSUR Mid-term Scientific Conference, 3(S) Sassari, Italy.
Abstract: MACSUR provides an opportunity to connect disparate research groups and disciplines in livestock and grassland modelling. Within the livestock theme (LiveM) of MACSUR, grassland modelling capabilities have been significantly improved through joint modelling exercises, and grassland modellers have exploited their methodological overlaps with CropM to make important contributions to regional pilot studies. Animal health researchers have been contributing to the southern regional pilot, and modelling resources have been identified for livestock systems at the animal and farm-scales. Here, the priorities for the next steps for livestock and grassland modelling are discussed, and for the role of MACSUR in addressing the challenges facing the sector. While crop and grassland modelling deals with primary production, livestock modelling examines the complexity of secondary production. The unique position of livestock modelling presents challenges and opportunities. The diversity of livestock models (in scale and approach) makes model inter-comparisons and collaborative work challenging, while the range of variables involved in livestock systems provide many opportunities for increasing systemic efficiency and robustness to the impacts of climate change. Closer integration of experimental research and modelling teams also has the potential to increase the capability of livestock and grassland models to predict the impact of European adaptation strategies on livestock farming systems, and on the contribution of these systems to global food security.
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Sinabel, F., & Brouwer, F. (2014). TradeM theme progress overview. FACCE MACSUR Mid-term Scientific Conference, 3(S) Sassari, Italy.
Abstract: TradeM is one theme of MACSUR and the major focus is on enhancing existing economic models and inspiring researchers to further develop and use models and tools. After establishing an inventory of models at the beginning of the project the next stage was used to prepare for the analysis in regional pilot studies. Case studies for three regions in Europe (North, Centre, South) are used to showcase the state of the art of agricultural modelling of climate change and food security in specific regional contexts and policy environments. In parallel efforts stakeholder participation processes are initiated, learning workshops and capacity building. Moreover, steps are to develop and test new concepts on economics for use in integrated assessment approaches dealing with risk and uncertainty.
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Rusu, T. (2014). Impact of Climate Change on Crop Land and Technological Recommendations for the Main Crops in Transylvanian Plain, Romania. FACCE MACSUR Mid-term Scientific Conference, 3(S) Sassari, Italy.
Abstract: The Transylvanian Plain (TP) is an important agricultural production area of Romania that is included among the areas with the lowest potential of adapting to climate changes in Europe. Thermal and hydric regime monitoring is necessary to identify and implement measures of adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Soil moisture and temperature regimes were evaluated using a set of 20 data logging stations positioned throughout the plain. Each station stores electronic data regarding ground temperature at 3 depths (10, 30, 50 cm), humidity at a depth of 10 cm, air temperature (at 1 m) and precipitation. For agricultural crops, the periods of drought and extreme temperatures require specific measures of adaptation to climate changes. During the growing season of crops in the spring (April – October) in the southeastern, southern, and eastern escarpments, precipitation decreased by 43.8 mm, the air temperature increased by 0.37°C, and the ground temperature increased by 1.91°C at a depth of 10 cm, 2.22°C at a depth of 20 cm and 2.43°C at a depth of 30 cm compared with values recorded for the northern, northwestern or western escarpments. Water requirements were ensured within an optimal time frame for 58.8-62.1% of the spring row crop growth period, with irrigation being necessary to guarantee the optimum production potential. The biologically active temperature recorded in the TP demonstrates the need to renew the division of the crop areas reported in the literature.
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