Paradigms of climate change impacts on some major food sources of the world: A review on current knowledge and future prospects

• Focuses climate change impacts on major food sources of the world and main areas of vulnerability.
• Summarizes major phenological, physiological and biochemical impacts of climate change.
• Emphasizes continent wise projected impacts and summer–winter sensitivity differences.
• Briefly discusses morpho-biochemical acclimation patterns and adaptation strategies.
• Valuable to understand knowledge gaps and research priorities.

Due to the adverse impacts of climate change on earth systems the research in this field has been profoundly taken a part in all scientific arenas since last few decades. The deleterious impacts of climate change on agricultural production are challenging the food security of the world in terms of quantity and quality both. Wheat, rice, maize, vegetables, fruits and fish-food provide food security for more than half of the world and are under immense pressure of changing climate. This review is an overview of the significant impacts associated with climate change on these food sources. In present synthesis, various phenological, physiological, biochemical and reproductive responses in major food crops have been summarized emphasizing the vulnerable growth and development stages. Winter and summer sensitivity responses, and morpho-biochemical acclimation patterns have also been summarized. Sustenance in wheat and rice production is evident but impacts of increasing temperatures are negating this on bio-physiological level impacts. Maize crops are experiencing more impacts on yield as compared to wheat and rice. Fruits and vegetable production is highly vulnerable to climate change at their reproductive stages and also due to more disease prevalence. Fisheries as a critical animal food source; is in extreme danger as apparent changes in their habitat and unmanageable environmental conditions are producing extreme losses. This review also provides an account of stress responses and useful adaptive measures. This synthesis may be helpful in understanding manifold dimensions and interactions of climate change impacts on selected major food sources of the world.