Climate vulnerability of agriculture in statistical regions of Slovenia

Abstract

Climate variability and extreme weather events, especially droughts, floods, storm hazards, low temperatures with frost and heat waves have significant negative effects on agriculture in Slovenia and increase its vulnerability. This study took into account the concept of vulnerability of the International Panel on Climate Change. The index of climate vulnerability of agriculture was developed on the basis of three indicators: exposure (climate variability and extreme weather events), sensitivity (threats due to natural conditions, changes in agriculture, vitality of the population) and adaptive capacity (income, sustainable management and natural resources). Climate vulnerability of agriculture was quantitatively analyzed with vulnerability indicators through the statistical regions of the Republic of Slovenia, and thus contributed to the regionally oriented approaches that seek to answer the challenges of climate vulnerability of agriculture in Slovenia. The results show higher climate vulnerability of agriculture in the western and central Slovenia and lower vulnerability in the eastern and northeastern part of the country.