Climatic changes and grasslands

Aim of the present study was to investigate the main parameters of climatic change (temperature, precipitation, CO2 concentration) and their effects on grassland ecosystems, with special reference to plant distribution, biodiversity and productivity. The various climatic change scenarios predict an increase in temperature and a decrease in annual rainfall, and therefore, a decrease in plant production, especially for the countries of the Mediterranean zone. In addition, climatic changes are predicted to alter the C3/C4 species ratio, and the forage quality, through changes in the C/N ratio. Another important change will be the phenomenon of plant invasion of mainly grass species in places outside their natural distribution, strongly affecting the indigenous species. The biotic changes caused by the invasion species could increase the ecosystem’s susceptibility and therefore the risk for new species invasions.