Climate change can significantly impact the productivity of agricultural animals through various direct and indirect mechanisms. The effects are multifaceted and can vary based on the type of animal, local climate conditions, and management practices. Here are some ways in which climate change influences the productivity of agricultural animals:
1. **Heat Stress:** Rising temperatures associated with climate change can lead to heat stress in animals. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures affects physiological processes, leading to reduced feed intake, lower weight gain, decreased milk production in dairy cows, and impaired reproductive performance.
Example from Tunisia: "Besbes, M., Chahed, J., Hamdane, A., & De Marsily, G. (2010). Changing water resources and food supply in arid zones: Tunisia. Water and Sustainability in Arid Regions: Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Social Sciences, 103-121". Available on: Chapter Changing Water Resources and Food Supply in Arid Zones: Tunisia
Excerpts from the conclusion: "Given the growing global food demand, increasing agricultural production should be a major world priority. Although some water savings in agriculture can be expected together with important increases in crop efficiency, it is most likely that food production will require the development of additional rain-fed agriculture. This is particularly true in Africa and South America, where arable land is still available for virtual water trade. Domestic and industrial water supply is, in comparison, a minor problem and can be resolved by water savings or technology. Food saving and diet constraints should be implemented. Although as yet uncertain, the most likely scenario is that climate change will increase drought frequency, particularly in arid zones. Drought plans should therefore be developed and measures implemented from the beginning of a drought period to organize savings and allocate water to priority users. Food stocks should be increased, particularly in arid zones; in the future, these zones may have to import up to 50% of their food to prepare for periods of worldwide drought. Societies are much more vulnerable to hydrological changes than to changes that affect only temperature. Therefore, strong research efforts are still needed in climate modeling, extreme events analysis, and paleoclimatology to better constrain the predicted effects of climate change on the water cycle. There is a lack of operational scenarios balancing demand and resources over the next 10–50 years, region by region, as presented for Tunisia, taking into account water withdrawal, water consumption, recycling, and water quality. Soil conservation should also be a priority, as soil availability will be a major factor for food production. Preventing increases in soil salinity, soil erosion, and loss of organic matter that increases erosion and prevents infiltration is necessary. Creating contour ridges to prevent erosion and increase infiltration should be reconsidered. But the final goal of twenty-first-century water resources management should be to protect and maintain biodiversity. This is probably the most fragile and endangered resource on the planet—far more than water and soil. Research efforts are urgently needed to develop tools to predict the future status and health of ecosystems for any new agricultural, urban, or industrial development. Which compensating measures are required to maintain the ecosystems? Should minimum protected areas be established to preserve nature? When alarming signs are observed, can an endangered ecosystem be restored before it disappears? These are today’s unresolved issues, and their solutions require strong cooperation between hydrologists and ecologists".See Also:
Besbes, M., & Chahed, J. (2023). Predictability of water resources with global climate models. Case of Northern Tunisia. Comptes Rendus. Géoscience, 355(S1), 1-22. Available on:Article Predictability of water resources with global climate models...
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