Causes and consequences of adaptation choices in agriculture :
comparative approach between crops and wine growing in the Rhine Valley
(France, Germany, Switzerland)
Abstract
Climate change is modifying the conditions of agricultural production.
In particular, precipitations are redistributed in time and space. In
the Rhine Valley, this results in prolonged and intensified dry and warm
periods in summer on the one side, and wetter winters and heavy rain
events on the other side (Riach et al., 2019). In agriculture, dry and
warm periods can lead to severe loss in yields and revenue (Fuhrer &
Jasper, 2009), while heavy rains can cause erosion and mudslides (Heitz,
2009) and excessive humidity can damage soils (Falloon & Betts, 2010)
and favors fungal diseases (Rosenzweig et al., 2001). These evolutions
of the water cycle will probably get worse as climate change go forth,
and cannot anymore be totally prevented (Averbeck et al., 2019).
Adaptation is therefore becoming a vital necessity (Darnhofer et al.,
2010). Nevertheless, adoption or not of adaptation measures is a choice
which depends on several factors: geographical (accessibility of a water
resource; spatial, pedological and topographic situation of the farm);
technical (equipment, workforce, know-how); economical (financial
capacities, possible subsidies); geolegal (according to the rules in
place in different territories). But, it can also depend on the
perceptions a farmer has of climate change and of the benefits of
adaptation, which are partially constructed through networks
(interactions with colleagues, customers or agricultural organizations),
leading to various trajectories of adaptation. Moreover, the adaptation
measures shall not only be considered through their determinants, but
also through their consequences, especially in terms of maladaptation,
spatial inequalities but also synergies with mitigation and other
issues. We base on semi-structured interviews conducted with crops and
wine growing actors in the Rhine Valley (shared between France, Germany
and Switzerland). Consequently, we can operate an innovative double
comparison, between sectors and between countries, which sheds light on
the most influential factors. We also observe that some measures are
controversial, and promoted or rejected according to the actors, their
perceptions and interests, resulting in a heterogeneous landscape where
the role of consumers and borders remains significant. And, sometimes,
hinders adaptation.