Mean annual temperature is the integrator of both diurnal and seasonal temperature differences and serves as a very broad indicator of agricultural potential and crop suitability. The anticipated increase in MAT will likely lead to spatial shifts in production areas and shifts in the fruit types and cultivars that are suited to specific regions. The following approaches to adaptation can be considered by growers:
- For current sensitive cultivars, seek new, cooler microsites on farms, i.e. establish such cultivars in cooler drainage lines, south-facing slopes, higher altitudes, and other terrain features that are cooler; this requires a very good understanding (preferably backed up by monitoring data) of the microclimate of the land in question;
- Gradually adopt cultivars and fruit types that thrive in a warmer climate, and phase out those cultivars that are more adapted to colder climates;
- Expand/diversify or move the enterprise to new cooler production regions.