Effect of Climate Change on Soil Productivity in Developing Countries

Abstract

Climatic change may occur due to high greenhouse gas emissions arising from dependence on solid fuel which triggers frequent environmental disasters such as extreme heat, droughts, floods, cyclones in many developing countries. Agriculture is sensitive to climate change in developing countries because they are mostly dependent on rainfall to meet crop water requirements. The objective of this paper is to review current literature on the impacts of climate variability on soil productivity in developing countries in order to improve crop production, ensure food security and economic development. There are numerous reports on adaptation to climate change but studies on estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural settings are either missing or scarce in developing countries. Soil organic matter has been identified as the most important factor that affects the productivity of the soil and determines crop yields. However, extreme heat can cause a decline in soil productivity by increasing soil organic matter decomposition and decreasing soil available water. Lower available water has led to the use of wastewater or sewage for irrigation which can cause soil pollution. There are also reports of increasing water logging and nutrient losses via leaching and run off under flooding conditions. Sea level rise has caused an increase in soil salinity of coastal areas with devastating effects such as total loss of rice fields. Sequestration of carbon in trees, soil and microorganisms are major mitigation strategies because carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas. Various mitigation strategies for reducing methane and nitrous oxide emissions in rice fields are also discussed. Conservation agriculture and tillage may be used to increase infiltration, conserve soil water and preserve soil organic carbon under drought or extreme heat. Adoption of conservation agriculture and [minimum or no-] tillage will help reduce economic losses to the farmers and increase crop yield. The adaptation and mitigation of climate change in developing countries is limited by social, economic and political factors. Adoption of low emission strategies and enforcement of environmental laws by developing countries will help reduce the frequency and impact of extreme climatic events.