Climate simulations show that grassland growth will be disproportionately high in spring, as water-saturated soils can be expected after winter (winter moisture), and energy input in the form of heat and radiation will simultaneously increase. As long as soil water is not limited or only minimally restricted, and high evaporation allows plants to utilize this energy, this will promote growth. However, yield reductions will occur in summer and autumn, particularly pronounced in areas with shallow soil cover, south-facing slopes, and high water deficits. Prolonged water stress can also damage plant populations, leading to further problems and necessitating compensatory grassland management measures. Geographically, grassland farming in southern and eastern Styria will suffer, and the Mur Valley will also be affected. The Salzkammergut region and the Enns and Palten valleys will benefit from the higher temperatures and a longer growing season, and will generate higher yields, as although there will also be a decrease in precipitation in the summer, it will be relatively less.

Schaumberger, A. (2009): Application of climate model data for high-resolution spatial modeling of potential evapotranspiration as an indicator of drought: An analysis for Styria, Final Report, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Irdning, 81-134.

{rsfiles path="Research reports/Environmental resources_in_Gruenland/Climate impacts/2_2008_Final report AgroClim I.pdf"}

Schaumberger, A. (2009): Agricultural yield development and drought risk under changing climatic conditions in Styria, final report, HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Irdning, 59 pp.

{rsfiles path="Research reports/Environmental resources_in_Gruenland/Climate impacts/2_2009_Final report AgroClim II.pdf"}

Gobiet, A., Schaumberger, A., Heinrich, G., Steiner, M., Leuprecht, A., Themeßl, M., Buchgraber, K. (2009): AgroClim II – Agricultural yield development and drought risk under changing climatic conditions in Styria, Final report, Wegener Center and HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, 98 pp.

{rsfiles path="Research reports/Environmental resources_in_Gruenland/Climate impacts/2_2009_Final report AgroClim II.pdf"}