Impacts of climate change on agriculture have been predominantly analyzed by using biophysical and crop specific model applications. Vulnerability assessments which identify the vulnerability of regions with their farming systems are urgently required, because agricultural adaptations to climate change are related to regional specifics, and therefore research has to consider the regional level. Therefore sector- and system-specific approaches have to be developed. This paper presents the methodology of a vulnerability assessment for organic farming systems in the Brandenburg Region, which considers regional-specific climatic impact, as well as the regional-specific adaptive capacity. In this region, the cultivation and management of legume-grass swards have a key position, especially the climate change impact on legume symbiotic nitrogen fixation and nitrogen mineralization. Adaptation strategies of crop production systems include reduced soil tillage, which plays an important role also in organic farming systems (reducing soil erosion, improving water infiltration, reducing evaporation and improving soil structure, control of N-dynamics) are developed and tested by means of an action research approach.
Bakenhus Biofleisch GmbH is an organic meat processor and marketer which obtains its meat from its own and from other organic farms. All products – beef, pork, lamb and poultry – are produced according to the strict guidelines of organic food associations and in the traditions of the trade. Thus, Bakenhus Biofleisch GmbH is certified under the Naturland, Bioland and Demeter guidelines. Climate adaptation possibilities in the butcher’s trade are being developed in the context of the nordwest2050 Research Project.
Rather than focusing on climate-protection measures, the Bremen Cargo Distribution Center (GVZ Bremen) has identified measures for adaptation to climate change. In 2011 and 2012 the Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics (ISL), together with the Bremen University of Applied Science, carried out a comprehensive empirical investigation of the effects of climate change on the logistics sector of the Metropolitan Region Bremen-Oldenburg in the Northwest. The results clearly show that the expected impacts of climate change could mean a new challenge, both for the GVZ and for individual companies at the Center.
One of the important parts of the final conference of ‘nordwest2050’ has been the scientific exchange sessions in the House of Science and the Industryclub Bremen. Contributions were based upon a call for papers from October 2013. The scientific committee received almost 100 abstracts where 36 were chosen for oral presentations and 15 for poster presentations (see overview tables below).
Four main topics were discussed in parallel workshops:
• Analysing Impacts and Assessing Vulnerabilities
• Designing and Testing Solutions for Regional Climate Adaptation and Resilience
• Implementing Climate Adaptation and Paths to a Resilient Future
• Resilience for Business: Climate Adaptation Challenge and Strategies of Sectors and Companies
In light of projected climate change impacts in the Baltic Sea region, there is a strong need for enhanced understanding about adaptation needs. In this regard, the role of local level decision makers will be crucial to the success of such adaptation strategies. This primer aims to provide local decision makers with insights and knowledge on the subject. This primer has been prepared as part of the project RADOST (Regional Adaptation Strategies for the
German Baltic Sea Coast), which is funded by the
German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The restaurant trade is increasingly facing delivery bottlenecks as a result of climate change, which may even cause interruptions of the production of food products. Due to reduced yields and at the same time increased resource requirements, cost pressures are rising. In order to face these challenges in a timely manner, the DEHOGA East Friesland & Weser-Ems District Association is developing climate adaptation strategies for the restaurant trade. In the present project, the effects of climate change are analyzed, and specific solution paths for the restaurant trade are developed and communicated within the DEHOGA District Association.
Regional climate change projections show a changing climate in the metropolitan region of Hamburg for the end of the century: The temperature could increase and the precipitation in summer could decrease. To cope with the probably longer lasting and hotter summer conditions in Europe there are different possible adaptation measures in land management practice, e.g. forest conversion. That means the conversion of mostly coniferous forest monocultures to deciduous and mixed forests. Mixed forests are generally more adaptable in comparison to conifer forests. They ensure an increased groundwater recharge because of less canopy interception and reduced transpiration outside the growing season. An interesting question is how forest conversion would feedback to the regional climate under different climate conditions. To explore climate feedbacks, REMO (regional climate model at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg) is applied. To get a more realistic representation of the land surface, a current dataset from a digital basis landscape model of the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy is used instead of the standard representation of the land surface in REMO. In some areas of the metropolitan region of Hamburg the updated land surface increases the forest fraction. Additionally, all coniferous forest types are converted into broadleaf forest types to study the maximum impact on the simulated near surface climate. This set-up is used for a climate simulation with REMO, forced by ERA-INTERIM reanalysis data for the period of 1990-2008. Selected climate variables are analyzed and the associated processes are investigated: The different forest distributions affect particularly the evapotranspiration and thus the water- and energy cycle of the soil and the lower atmosphere. Especially, the effects in the very hot and dry year 2003 and in the wet year 2002 are analyzed. To study the impacts of the forest distributions under different climate conditions, a second climate simulation is set up with REMO, forced by ECHAM5-MPIOM for the historical period 1970-2000 and for the future time periods 2035-2065 and 2070-2100 under A1B emissions. This allows analyzing the impact of a changed forest cover under different climate conditions. It gives a first estimation of climate sensitivity.
INKA BB sees itself as an innovation network encompassing academia and business practice that brings about change proactively. As a role model and partner, the network wishes to disseminate findings and initiate learning processes. To achieve this, we combine the region’s existing expertise of research institutions, public administrations, business enterprises and associations. The network operates in Brandenburg with a federal state-wide focus. Most site- and company-related measures are undertaken in the regions of Lausitz-Spreewald and Uckermark-Barnim, as well as in the metropolis of Berlin.