Climate Change and Viticulture in Italy: Historical Trends and Future Scenarios

Bibliographic Details
Title: Climate Change and Viticulture in Italy: Historical Trends and Future Scenarios
Authors: Vittorio Alba, Alessandra Russi, Angelo Raffaele Caputo, Giovanni Gentilesco
Source: Atmosphere, Vol 15, Iss 8, p 885 (2024)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Meteorology. Climatology
Subject Terms: bioclimatic characterization, viticulture suitability assessment, latitude and elevation, future scenarios, Meteorology. Climatology, QC851-999
More Details: (1) Background: The aim of this work was to characterize climatic evolution and change based on multicriteria classification through the dynamics of bioclimatic indices in viticulture across Italy and its regional administrative boundaries, focusing on latitudes and elevations. (2) Methods: This study analyzes climate change influences on Italian viticulture with reference to historical information (1991–2021) and future scenarios (until 2080) primarily based on the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, taking into account 13 GCMs. (3) Results: The bioclimatic indices have all shown a significant trend in the historical period, with an increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation, reflecting their effects on the entire Italian territory with respect to the HI, up to 44° N for the CI, and up to 46° N for the DI, regardless of altitude. The future scenarios highlighted a shift towards the warmer classes of the two temperature-based indices (HI and CI) for both SSPs, especially for altitudes up to 900 m a.s.l. The DI-based classification based on the DI remained relatively stable in Italy over time, although DI values will become increasingly negative in the near future. (4) Conclusions: The climate in Italy is warming, especially in the south and in the coastal regions. By 2080, more areas will be “very hot” with “warm nights”. Drought will also increase and have a negative impact on viticulture. These findings spotlight the need for adaptive strategies in viticulture to hold satisfactory productivity under changing climatic conditions.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2073-4433
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/8/885; https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4433
DOI: 10.3390/atmos15080885
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/49b4b542235e4495a5a45c3e6eee9204
Accession Number: edsdoj.49b4b542235e4495a5a45c3e6eee9204
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20734433
DOI:10.3390/atmos15080885
Published in:Atmosphere
Language:English