What is one consequence of climate change on agriculture?

One significant consequence of climate change on agriculture is the alteration of growing seasons. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the timing of planting and harvesting can be affected. Farmers may find that traditional planting dates are no longer suitable, leading to earlier or later growing seasons. This shift can impact crop yields, as certain plants may not thrive if they experience increased heat or unexpected frosts outside their normal growing periods. The alteration of growing seasons can also affect the availability of water and nutrients, further complicating agricultural practices and food production.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the broader impacts of climate change on agriculture. For instance, rather than a decrease in pest populations, many pests are thriving in warmer conditions, potentially leading to increased pest pressure. Improvement in soil fertility is not typically associated with climate change; in fact, climate variations can lead to soil degradation and nutrient loss. Finally, stable weather patterns are increasingly rare in the context of climate change; disruption in weather consistency is a hallmark of its effects, causing challenges in managing agricultural systems effectively.