Limited potential of crop management for mitigating surface ozone impacts on global food supply

Teixeira, Edmar; Fischer, Guenther; van Velthuizen, Harrij; van Dingenen, Rita; Dentener, Frank; Mills, Gina; Walter, Christof; Ewert, Frank. 2011 Limited potential of crop management for mitigating surface ozone impacts on global food supply. Atmospheric Environment, 45 (15). 2569-2576. 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.02.002

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Abstract/Summary

Surface ozone (O3) is a potent phytotoxic air pollutant that reduces the productivity of agricultural crops. Growing use of fossil fuel and climate change are increasing O3 concentrations to levels that threaten food supply. Historically, farmers have successfully adapted agricultural practices to cope with changing environments. However, high O3 concentrations are a new threat to food production and possibilities for adaptation are not well understood. We simulate the impact of ozone damage on four key crops (wheat, maize, rice and soybean) on a global scale and assess the effectiveness of adaptation of agricultural practices to minimize ozone damage. As O3 concentrations have a strong seasonal and regional pattern, the adaptation options assessed refer to shifting crop calendars through changing sowing dates, applying irrigation and using crop varieties with different growth cycles. Results show that China, India and the United States are currently by far the most affected countries, bearing more than half of all global losses and threatened areas. Irrigation largely affects ozone exposure but local impacts depend on the seasonality of emissions and climate. Shifting crop calendars can reduce regional O3 damage for specific crop-location combinations (e.g. up to 25% for rain-fed soybean in India) but has little implication at the global level. Considering the limited benefits of adaptation, mitigation of O3 precursors remains the main option to secure regional and global food production.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.02.002
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	1352-2310
Additional Keywords:	AEZ, air quality, climate adaptation, food security, ozone pollution, mitigation
NORA Subject Terms:	Botany Agriculture and Soil Science Ecology and Environment General > Science Policy Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	22 Aug 2011 15:20 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/7943

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