EVALUATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON SUGARCANE AND CITRUS CROPS IN BRAZIL

Agricultural production is directly related to the environmental conditions. Favorable conditions can lead to higher productivity and product quality. However, climate change may pose a threat to agricultural production across the globe, as a rise in temperature may cause a decrease in the extent of suitable areas for growing certain crops. Using spatial analysis and data from future climate change scenarios developed by the IPCC, this research aims to evaluate the impact of climate change on the sugarcane and citrus plantations in the state of Sao Paulo from agroclimatic zoning mapping. The results of this research demonstrate that both crops can suffer great reduction of areas suitable for cultivation if there are severe changes in the climate regime, and these results can be used by managers and researchers to mitigate these potential impacts, as well as to clarify how climate change affects life on the planet, with the possible reduction of food and bioenergy production.