Climate change poses a profound threat to global agricultural ecosystems, manifesting through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These changes directly impact crop yields, livestock health, water availability, and soil integrity, thereby challenging global food security. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and evaluates the efficacy of adaptive management strategies designed to enhance resilience. Through a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, meta-analysis of crop modelling studies, and case study examination from diverse agro-ecological zones, we synthesized data on both observed and projected impacts. Our findings indicate that without adaptation, staple crop yields (e.g., wheat, maize, rice) are projected to decline by 3-10% per degree Celsius of warming in many regions, with tropical areas facing the most severe losses. Concurrently, climate change exacerbates water scarcity, pest and disease pressure, and soil degradation. In response, we assessed a suite of adaptive strategies categorized into technological (e.g., drought-resistant varieties, precision agriculture), managerial (e.g., altered planting dates, integrated crop-livestock systems), and institutional (e.g., crop insurance, knowledge networks) approaches. The analysis reveals that integrated adaptive management - combining multiple strategies - can significantly offset negative impacts, potentially maintaining or even improving yields under moderate climate change scenarios. For instance, the combination of improved cultivars, conservation agriculture, and enhanced irrigation efficiency was shown to reduce climate vulnerability by up to 50% in certain systems. However, the adoption of these strategies is hindered by economic, institutional, and knowledge barriers, particularly for smallholder farmers. We conclude that while climate change presents a formidable challenge, a proactive and systemic shift toward adaptive management can build robust agricultural ecosystems. Success depends on context-specific solutions, supportive policies, and investments in research and extension to facilitate widespread implementation, thereby safeguarding food production for future generations.

climate change, adaptive management, agricultural resilience, ecosystems, strategies

environmental engineering

Presentation: poster