Speaker
Description
Climate change can alter both carbon cycling and fruit production in orchard ecosystems. Pear is one of the most economically important fruit crops in Belgium, playing a key role in both local agriculture and export markets. Understanding how climate change affects pear productivity and ecosystem processes is therefore essential for both food security and environmental sustainability. To assess these effects, we monitored pear trees grown under two climate scenarios based on RCP 8.5—ambient (2009–2013) and future (2040–2044)—in the climate chambers of the UHasselt Ecotron facility. Continuous CO₂ flux measurements were used to calculate net ecosystem exchange (NEE), while fruit yield and quality were measured at harvest. Results showed lower cumulative NEE under future climate conditions, indicating reduced carbon loss and enhanced carbon sequestration. Pear trees grown under the future scenario also produced slightly higher fruit yield and dry mass. These findings suggest that future climate conditions may reduce carbon loss and increase fruit production in pear orchards, highlighting the potential positive effects of moderate warming and elevated CO₂ on orchard ecosystems.
| If your abstract is not accepted for an oral presentation, would you be interested in presenting it as a poster instead? | Yes |
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| If accepted by the Scientific Board, I agree to have my presentation/poster and abstract published on the Belgian Climate Centre websites and social media. | Yes |
