The olive tree is a strategic crop in the Mediterranean area, one of the critical points of climate change. The future will bring drought, heat waves, torrential rains and floods, as well as a changing pattern in the incidence of pests and diseases that will increase the vulnerability of crops and communities.
The proper management of the olive grove can contribute to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on Mediterranean ecosystems by enhancing the sequestration of carbon in the soil. On the other hand, adaptive management measures can reduce vulnerability to climate change, help protect water resources and biodiversity, and reduce risks. This adaptive management must be based on knowledge of the stocks and fluxes of carbon and other greenhouse gases, their interactions and reactions to changes in land use and management. The identification of the varieties that best adapt to the expected climatic conditions in different areas and the creation of new varieties will be crucial, which will require the precise prediction of the new scenarios and the efficient use of genetic resources and genetic improvement tools.
In this context, the IOC and CIHEAM Zaragoza organize this course to provide the most up-to-date information in order to: (i) raise awareness about the additional challenges that climate change imposes for olive growing and the selection of the most appropriate varieties; (ii) provide guidance on the usefulness and use of recently developed models and other tools to better understand the impact of climate change and predict its consequences; and (iii) offer an integrated vision of the strategies that should be considered to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Likewise, the course represents a unique opportunity to connect with professionals and key agents from IOC member countries and exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation on olive growing and climate change.
Dates: from September 27 to October 1, 2021
Organizers: CIHEAM Zaragoza and International Olive Council (IOC)
Admission deadline: September 3, 2021
More information: https://edu.iamz.ciheam.org/OliveClimateChange/es/