The impact of global warming on plant diseases and insect vectors in Sweden

Abstract

Cold winters and geographic isolation have hitherto protected the Nordic countries from many plant pathogens and insect pests, leading to a comparatively low input of pesticides. The changing climate is projected to lead to a greater rise in temperature in this region, compared to the global mean. In Scandinavia, a milder and more humid climate implies extended growing seasons and possibilities to introduce new crops, but also opportunities for crop pests and pathogens to thrive in the absence of long cold periods. Increased temperatures, changed precipitation patterns and new cultivation practices may lead to a dramatic change in crop health. Examples of diseases and insect pest problems predicted to increase in incidence and severity due to global warming are discussed.

Keywords

Agricultural crops; Climate change; Pathogens

Published in

European Journal of Plant Pathology
2011, volume: 129, number: 1, pages: 9-19
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Roos, Jonas

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hopkins, Richard

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kvarnheden, Anders

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Dixelius, Christina

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG13 Climate action

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-010-9692-z

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/57545