In Limburg, a province in Belgium, an orchard within the nation's pear-growing core features 12 transparent domes adjacent to a mirrored wall, contrasting with the natural park surroundings. These domes serve as a controlled environment for researchers to simulate the projected climate changes for 2040, aiming to understand the future challenges for Europe's fruit growers due to global warming.
Francois Rineau, an associate professor at the University of Hasselt, highlighted the expected conditions within the domes: more heatwaves, uneven precipitation leading to droughts and floods, and overall higher temperatures. Initial findings from the 2023 harvest indicate that the quality of Belgian pears might not significantly suffer from climate change's adverse effects. However, an earlier growing season in the 2040 scenario could lead to increased CO2 absorption by the ecosystem.
The research, spanning three years and covering three harvests, will provide insights into the intermittent extreme weather and its impact on crops. The Flanders Centre of Postharvest Technology (VCBT) is analyzing the size, firmness, and sugar content of the pears harvested under the 2040 conditions, comparing them with those grown in present-day climate simulations. According to VCBT researcher Dorien Vanhees, higher temperatures could result in pears that are less firm and sweeter, potentially shortening their storage life and affecting growers' ability to sell them.
Climate change has already influenced European pear cultivation, with floods, hail, and drought impacting crop patterns. Belgium's pear production is predicted to decrease by 27% this year, a consequence of an early bloom followed by a late frost, as reported by the World Apple and Pear Association.
Source: Reuters