South Australia: The driest state on the driest continent on the planet
According to Cosmos Magazine, South Australia is the driest state on the driest inhabited continent on the planet. Contrary to its arid reputation, South Australia is also renowned as the food bowl of Australia. Its highly productive parcels of land, situated primarily within a hundred-kilometres radius of the Southern coastline and the Riverland region, yield a bountiful harvest of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and other irrigated crops. Additionally, South Australia boasts 18 world-class wine regions, each with unique landscapes and climatic conditions, offering an extraordinary variety of wines.
Explore the wine regions of South Australia
With 3250 grape growers, 680 wineries, and 340 cellar door tourism destinations, South Australia’s wine industry is a force to be reckoned with. Many of these destinations are conveniently located within an hour’s drive from the Adelaide CBD, making it easy for visitors to embark on a wine-tasting adventure. Impressively, South Australia accounts for 56% of Australia’s total wine production and produces up to 80% of all premium bottled wine. However, all of these wine producers, regions, and communities face a common challenge: the unknown impact of climate change on production and wine style.
Understanding the impact of climate change
It’s crucial to recognise the trends and threats associated with climate change, as they significantly affect grape and wine production. Over the past four years alone, South Australia has experienced devastating bushfires, floods, and hailstorms—all symptomatic of a changing climate. Rising temperatures pose additional risks, potentially impacting yield, berry composition, and overall wine quality.
Mitigating the impacts of global warming
To address these concerns, researchers from the South Australian Research and Development Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government, conducted a study exploring mitigation practices for global warming’s impacts. The research paper, available on sciencedirect.com, delves into two treatment options: enhancing transpiration and reducing the radiation load on the canopy. Visit the sciencedirect.com website to access the abstract of this informative publication.
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