Climate Change Affects Nitrogen and Sulphur Load in Percolated Water from Agricultural Landscapes

Global and climate changes influence the basic conditions for agriculture. Therefore there is not only a demand for a strict climate protection but also for an adaptation of agriculture to changing conditions. For a study region of 60x40 km within the moraine landscape of North-East Germany mainly used for agriculture, water balance, nitrogen and Sulphur loads and crop yields were calculated for the present and for a possible future. The comparison between the Scenario 2050 and the Initial Situation in 2000 revealed significant changes of the water balance (decrease in percolation water, increase in actual evapotranspiration) and the concentration of nitrogen and Sulphur in the percolation water. The crop yields decrease only slightly if the CO2 fertilizing effect is taken into account. Measures adopted in response to the changing climate conditions to achieve an economically and sustainable agriculture are recommended.