Mediterranean Agriculture under Climate Change

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, the global concentration of carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) is approximately 50% higher than pre-industrial levels, and the global average temperature has increased by 1.1 °C compared to 1880. This has resulted in extreme phenomena such as heat waves, drought, hail and violent rainfall, as well as soil degradation, the reduction in biodiversity and the alterations in ecosystems, significantly compromising the yield of crops. Furthermore, the European Environment Agency predicts that climate change could reduce the value of European agriculture by 16% by 2050 due to increased drought and rainfall, and the agricultural production in Mediterranean areas could fall by 80% by 2100. At the same time, the global demand for food is increasing, and it is estimated that the world population will increase by almost 2 billion by 2050. Therefore, in the coming decades, agriculture will face enormous challenges, including responding to an increased demand for agri-food products, preserving biodiversity and ensuring the safety and quality of these products. However, if on the one hand agriculture appears to be one of the most vulnerable sectors to the impacts of climate change, on the other hand, it can also play a fundamental role in its mitigation. For example, improving the efficiency of use of the main nutrients of crops could allow a significant reduction in emissions, as well as increase yields, guaranteeing the same agricultural production without the need to increase the cultivated areas, which is one of the fundamental elements for reducing the rate of deforestation, essential to avoid the increase in CO₂.

This Special Issue will highlight the impact of crop management practices (e.g., soil tillage, fertilization, irrigation, crop rotation, etc.), biodiversity and breeding programs on the quality and yield in the field of forage and vegetable crops in the Mediterranean environment. All types of articles, such as original research papers, opinions and reviews, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Giovanni Mauromicale
Dr. Sara Lombardo
Dr. Gaetano Pandino
Guest Editors

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• Mediterranean environment
• biodiversity
• crop management
• yield
• crop quality