Drought and water availability
Drought, combined with higher CO₂ levels and rising temperatures, alters water movement in the soil. This means plants have less available water, which can lead to growth losses. Efficient water use is becoming increasingly important.
Changes in water absorption in the soil
Under future climate conditions, water will pass through large soil pores more quickly and mix less with water in smaller pores. This will result in less water remaining available for plants.
Growth rate and soil structure in transition
Plants reduce their transpiration, and thus their water consumption, when CO₂ concentrations are elevated. While this can conserve water, it also leads to a lower growth rate. Additionally, recurring periods of drought can alter soil structure and further impede water movement within the soil.
Long-term strategy: Balance between resilience and return
Even though plants become more resistant to drought stress over time, this may come at the expense of productivity. A key task for grassland management is to find this balance.
Important findings and recommendations for your farm can be found in the attached factsheet “Climate change and soil water balance in grassland”!
Conclusion: Act now to secure the future of grassland farming
Climate change is a reality – but with the right measures, farmers can make their farms more resilient. By improving water retention capacity, adapting soil management, and selecting suitable varieties, negative impacts can be minimized and productivity maintained.
Do you have any questions or are you interested in further information? Contact us:
The findings and recommendations are based on the results of the ÖAW-ESS project ClimGrassHydro, funded by the Austrian Academy of Sciences. We thank the ClimGrass and ClimGrassHydro teams for their contribution to this factsheet.
