Weather conditions directly influence agricultural yields. Hail, disease and drought can have devastating effects on crops. However meteorological-related risks can be reduced through better timing of harvests, application of pesticides or through use of irrigation systems. A clear picture of current and future weather conditions, along with appropriate farm actions, can increase the likelihood of improved yields.

Climate change also influences crop suitability in certain regions where livestock can be negatively affected by migrating diseases and available food. To complicate matters the agricultural sector is also trying to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly in an attempt to meet greenhouse gas emission targets.

The phenological response of plants and animals to climate and weather also varies. Our ability to monitor plant phenology remotely, from satellites and cameras for example, has greatly increased in recent years. However, greater utilisation of these measurements as well as in-situ observations are still essential if we are to predict future responses of ecosystems to climate change.

This session intends to examine our increasing knowledge of agricultural meteorology & phenology, while also attempting to identify opportunities in our changing environment.

We invite presentations related but not limited to:
• Decision support systems & the representation of uncertainty
• Agrometeorological modelling (e.g. modelling agrometeorological related diseases, frost protection warning methods, drought indices etc.)
• Identifying usable long-term phenology data sets (plant, bird, insect, etc.) to explore potential for mismatch and other changes to ecosystem dynamics
• Impact of weather and climate extremes on agriculture and phenology
• Methods of measurements and observations (e.g. ground based equipment, remote sensing products, citizen science, Big Data etc.)
• Interactions/feedback of farmers and other end users
• Use of future climate projections on agrometeorological and phenological models
• Examining carbon flux and greenhouse gases across different ecosystems