The Sensitivity of Natural Ecosystems and Agriculture to Climatic Change

Parry, M.L. (1985). The Sensitivity of Natural Ecosystems and Agriculture to Climatic Change. IIASA Research Report (Reprint). IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: RR-85-001. Reprinted from Climatic Change, 7(1):1-152 [1985].

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Abstract

In September 1983, IIASA and UNEP, together with the Austrian Government, gave support to an International Study Conference on The Sensitivity of Ecosystems and Society to Climatic Change, which was attended by scientists from 17 countries. The conference was divided into two parallel workshops - on climate impacts in cold and in semiarid regions.

This report brings together eight papers that ultimately arose from discussions in the "cold" workshop. In most cases they report the results of preliminary experiments relating to climatic change, and represent the outcome of a piece of "pilot" research by IIASA for UNEP to test the research methodology before applying it in a wider context. Of the variety of techniques and concepts applied, two deserve mention here. The first is the mapping of impact areas by the spatial shift of isopleths or boundaries. The second is the construction of a hierarchy of climate, impact, and economic models to trace the cascade of climate impacts through biophysical, economic, and social systems. This report marks the completion of IIASA's pilot study. The full research project, funded jointly by UNEP and IIASA, is now being implemented in 12 case studies through a collaborative network of 70 scientists. Its purpose is to evaluate the impact of climatic change and variability on food production in climate-sensitive areas, and to consider appropriate policies of mitigation.

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