Published in AgroLife Scientific Journal, Volume 8, Number 2
Written by Denis MIHĂILESCU, Sorin Mihai CÎMPEANU
Global climate change predictions indicate an increase in temperatures over the next 50 years and a change in precipitation distribution patterns. Agriculture is currently responsible for 85% of water consumption and irrigated land tends to grow by a factor of 1.9 by 2050. Thus, southern European countries are in an area where water scarcity is very high and therefore the need for more sustainable crops and better management of water and soil resources becomes an important objective. Romania is also affected by water scarcity, drought and land degradation caused by climate change. Scientific research shows a tendency of aridization especially in the extra-Carpathian regions, including the southern part of Oltenia. The land cover/land use changes are components and have a contribution to climate change because the vegetation through photosynthesis and soil by default, acts as carbon dioxide storage. When natural or anthropogenic factors disturbed the land, the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are release in the atmosphere and thus contribute to global warming.
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