Current trend in climate parameter evolution affecting vineyards in Bujoru viticultural areal

Abstract

Climate change caused by global warming phenomena, cause important disturbances in all types of ecosystems, including vine growing areas. The current study presents the evolution of influential climate parameters for vine varieties at Bujoru viticultural area, located in south-eastern part of Romania. Climate analysis identified important changes on main climate indices that influence vegetative development and biological production yields specific to vine varieties. Results of the study confirm the climate parameter evolution with negative influences on traditional viticultural areas. Amplification of prolonged drought phenomenon was observed with recorded precipitation values below the multi-annual averages due to current climate change trends. Depletion of soil water reserves was helped by: an increase in the number of days with temperatures exceeding 300C, a change of the interval in which the highest air temperatures are recorded. Maximum air temperatures specific to the month of July have shifted towards the month of August. In winter months average temperatures have increased above before known reference levels. This study, through its results, confirms the current trend of intensifying extreme weather phenomena that can have significant effects on vine plantations, as well as pan-European trends for replacing traditional genotypes.