Crops are now facing higher growing temperatures due to climate change, but crop migration eased the consequences of extreme temperatures to crop production.
Climate change is predicted to affect crop yields. A study by Lindsey L. Sloat et al. investigated the effects of rising temperatures to crop yields and how crop migration has mitigated the adverse effects of extremely high temperatures on our most important cereals.
Data from 1973 to 2012 has shown that the damaging effects of rising temperatures on rainfed crops yields (maize, rice, wheat, and soybean) have been significantly moderated by the gradual movement of these crops over time aided by the expansion of irrigation and changes in agronomic practices.
However, the continuous shifts of harvested areas will impact biodiversity, land use, socio-economic situations, and agricultural activity.
Because of climate change, rainfed crops are currently experiencing higher growing temperatures than in the 1970s, but crop migration alleviated the consequences of extreme temperatures to crop production.
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