Reviewing the Adverse Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Measures on Almond Trees (Prunus dulcis)

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most emergent environmental challenges, with rising global temperatures, changes in precipitation regimes, and an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Climate change impacts on the agrarian sector are being experienced across the world and are expected to be aggravated in the upcoming decades. Almond fruits are highly sought after due to their economic and nutritional interest, which contribute to their spread throughout the world. In 2021, the world almond production was approximately 3.9 × 106 t with upward of 4.9 × 103 t year−1. Despite being relatively drought- and heat-resistant, this species is also vulnerable to climate change, particularly its production, which is highly dependent on soil water content and air temperature. To address the challenges of climate change, farmers and other stakeholders in the almond industry are increasingly adopting a range of adaptation measures, such as implementing irrigation systems and planting more drought-tolerant almond varieties. This manuscript describes the impacts of climate change on almond cultivation, reviewing the most recent studies on the subject. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts is carried out, which might be of relevance to almond producers and other stakeholders operating in this value chain.

Climate Change Risks for the Mediterranean Agri-Food Sector: The Case of Greece

“…Our findings are in agreement with those of recent research on climate change impacts on crops in southern Europe and north-eastern Mediterranean, regarding wheat [90][91][92][93][94], barley [91], maize [90,92], rice [95], vegetables [10,91,96], potatoes [97], olives [91,[98][99][100], vines [91,96,101,102], legumes [103], alfalfa [104,105], sunflower [106], fruit trees [107,108] and nut trees [109][110][111].…”

Diversity of fruit fly species in agricultural area Chott Zahrez Chergui (Djel-fa): First record of Trupanea amoena (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Algeria

“…Further, the species are found mainly on lowlands, where temperatures are high, which means that the presence of the fruit flies is most common in warm and dry areas. Earlier studies have shown a positive correlation between high temperatures in spring and increase the number of fruit flies, as well as a positive relationship between rising temperatures and the incidence and severity of pests in walnut orchards in a Mediterranean climate (Freitas et al, 2023;Moral et al, 2019). The concerns raised by temperate fruit experts stress the urgent need for developing and implementing measures to secure the future production of temperate fruits in the Mediterranean basin.…”

Remote Sensing Applications in Almond Orchards: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Current Insights, Research Gaps, and Future Prospects

“…This temporal dimension can provide valuable insights into how almond crops evolve over time, allowing for more informed and nuanced decision-making in agricultural practices. Given the escalating impact of climate change on agricultural productivity [8], this review suggests that future research should explore the interplay between RS applications and changing environmental conditions affecting almond crops. Understanding how RS technologies can contribute to adaptation strategies in the face of evolving climate patterns presents a fruitful subject for exploration.…”

“…RS serves as a valuable tool for monitoring various aspects of plants, offering insights into vegetation health, stress To address the escalating demand for almonds and ensure sustainable production, modern agricultural technologies and continuous crop monitoring are imperative [7]. The challenges posed by climate change, including water stress and disease outbreaks, further accentuate the need for advanced agricultural management strategies [8,9]. In response, Remote Sensing (RS) technologies have proven invaluable in monitoring and managing these challenges, offering a crucial tool for precision agriculture [10].…”