Irrigation as adaptation strategy to climate change - a biophysical and economic appraisal for Swiss maize production
Open access
Date
2011-04Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The impact of climate change on Swiss maize production is assessed using an approach that integrates a biophysical and an economic model. Simple adaptation options such as shifts in sowing dates and adjustments of production intensity are considered. In addition, irrigation is evaluated as an adaptation strategy. It shows that the impact of climate change on yield levels is small but yield variability increases in rainfed production. Even though the adoption of irrigation leads to higher and less variable maize yields in the future, economic benefits of this adoption decision are expected to be rather small. Thus, no shift from the currently used rainfed system to irrigated production is expected in the future. Moreover, we find that changes in institutional and market conditions rather than changes in climatic conditions will influence the development of the Swiss maize production and the adoption of irrigation in the future. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000033418Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Climatic ChangeVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
Adaptation; Climate change; Crop yields; Yield variability; Maize; SwitzerlandOrganisational unit
09564 - Finger, Robert / Finger, Robert
03327 - Lehmann, Bernard
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisherMore
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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