Mediterranean Olive Orchards under Climate Change: A Review of Future Impacts and Adaptation Strategies
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2020
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The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an ancient traditional crop in the Mediterranean Basin.
In the Mediterranean region, traditional olive orchards are distinguishable by their prevailing climatic
conditions. Olive trees are indeed considered one of the most suitable and best-adapted species
to the Mediterranean-type climate. However, new challenges are predicted to arise from climate
change, threatening this traditional crop. The Mediterranean Basin is considered a climate change
“hotspot,” as future projections hint at considerable warming and drying trends. Changes in olive
tree suitability have already been reported over the last few decades. In this context, climate change
may become particularly challenging for olive growers. The growing evidence for significant climate
change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation measures to be taken. To effectively cope with
the projected changes, both short and long-term adaptation strategies must be timely planned by
the sector stakeholders and decision-makers to adapt for a warmer and dryer future. The current
manuscript is devoted to illustrating the main impacts of climate change on olive tree cultivation
in the Mediterranean Basin, by reviewing the most recent studies on this subject. Additionally,
an analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts of climate
change was also performed.
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Mediterranean olive orchards , olive trees