Applied Agrometeorology in a Changing Climate
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide fundamental knowledge for understanding the climate system and its interaction with agricultural production, with reference to climate change and its effects on the agricultural sector.
Specifically, the lectures will cover:
1. The definition of the atmospheric system,
2. The analysis of climate change at different spatial and temporal scales,
3. The definition, characterization, and analysis of environmental resources and limitations (solar radiation, temperature, precipitation) that affect agricultural production,
4. The definition of agro-climatological tools to analyze and understand agricultural contexts at various scales (from single field to farm, consortium, and larger territorial scales).
Practical sessions will focus on the application of the learned concepts to specific case studies, with particular attention to the analysis of meteorological data, the application of models simulating plant responses to different environmental conditions (phenological modeling, definition of plant light interception, quantification of environmental resources for plant development, and assessment of thermal and water stress conditions).
The course builds upon fundamental concepts from physics, plant biology, and agronomy, aimed to understand the environmental context of various agricultural and viticultural productions.
Specifically, the lectures will cover:
1. The definition of the atmospheric system,
2. The analysis of climate change at different spatial and temporal scales,
3. The definition, characterization, and analysis of environmental resources and limitations (solar radiation, temperature, precipitation) that affect agricultural production,
4. The definition of agro-climatological tools to analyze and understand agricultural contexts at various scales (from single field to farm, consortium, and larger territorial scales).
Practical sessions will focus on the application of the learned concepts to specific case studies, with particular attention to the analysis of meteorological data, the application of models simulating plant responses to different environmental conditions (phenological modeling, definition of plant light interception, quantification of environmental resources for plant development, and assessment of thermal and water stress conditions).
The course builds upon fundamental concepts from physics, plant biology, and agronomy, aimed to understand the environmental context of various agricultural and viticultural productions.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to master the theoretical knowledge necessary to understand the climate system and its interaction with agricultural production, with particular attention to climate change and its effects on the agricultural sector.
In relation to the theoretical content learned, students will be able to:
· Formulate a quantitative assessment of the environmental resources and limitations of agricultural production in each study area, considering different spatial scales of detail,
· Analyze the trends of individual growing seasons in relation to the reference climate normal, to highlight key elements for the definition of appropriate adaptation strategies,
· Characterize different agricultural contexts at various scales, from the single field to the farm, consortium, and larger territorial scales,
· Prepare agrometeorological analysis reports.
Students will gain critical analysis skills to evaluate different productive contexts in terms of environmental resources and limitations (agricultural suitability).
By the end of the course, students will be able to independently approach the agro-climatic suitability analysis of an agricultural area, delve deeper into the covered topics, and keep up to date to improve their skills in this field.
In relation to the theoretical content learned, students will be able to:
· Formulate a quantitative assessment of the environmental resources and limitations of agricultural production in each study area, considering different spatial scales of detail,
· Analyze the trends of individual growing seasons in relation to the reference climate normal, to highlight key elements for the definition of appropriate adaptation strategies,
· Characterize different agricultural contexts at various scales, from the single field to the farm, consortium, and larger territorial scales,
· Prepare agrometeorological analysis reports.
Students will gain critical analysis skills to evaluate different productive contexts in terms of environmental resources and limitations (agricultural suitability).
By the end of the course, students will be able to independently approach the agro-climatic suitability analysis of an agricultural area, delve deeper into the covered topics, and keep up to date to improve their skills in this field.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part 1 - FUNDAMENTALS OF AGROMETEOROLOGY
the climate system
meteorology and climatology
the scales of atmospheric phenomena
thunderstorms and phoen
the measuring systems
the weather forecasts
Part 2 - ATMOSPHERIC DRIVING VARIABLES IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Modelling approach to agroecosystems and agricultural productions
Thermal resources and limitations
Phenological modeling
Water resources and limitations - water balances
The agrometeorological zonation at different scales
Part 3 - CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Climate change and its effects on agriculture
Climate scenarios and their use in agriculture
Strategies of adaptation to climate change.
EXPERIMENTAL LABS
Meteorological and biological data analysis
the climate system
meteorology and climatology
the scales of atmospheric phenomena
thunderstorms and phoen
the measuring systems
the weather forecasts
Part 2 - ATMOSPHERIC DRIVING VARIABLES IN RELATION TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Modelling approach to agroecosystems and agricultural productions
Thermal resources and limitations
Phenological modeling
Water resources and limitations - water balances
The agrometeorological zonation at different scales
Part 3 - CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Climate change and its effects on agriculture
Climate scenarios and their use in agriculture
Strategies of adaptation to climate change.
EXPERIMENTAL LABS
Meteorological and biological data analysis
Prerequisites for admission
basic knowledge of plant biology and physiology, physics
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars and field visits
Teaching Resources
Teaching and bibliographic materials delivered by the teacher.
textbook (optional) under definition
textbook (optional) under definition
Assessment methods and Criteria
Grade in thirtieths.
Written exam composed of:
Three open questions on the theoretical knowledge of agrometeorology (5/30 each)
Three numerical exercises on agroclimatological analysis (time series analysis and application of agrometeorological interpretative models) (5/30 each)
To pass the test, the student must obtain a satisfactory result in both the theoretical and practical parts.
With regard to the theoretical part, the correct knowledge of the required notions, the use of the appropriate technical terminology and the expositive clarity will be evaluated.
With regard to the exercise part, the accuracy of the results, the correctness of the procedure and the clarity of the presentation will be assessed.
Written exam composed of:
Three open questions on the theoretical knowledge of agrometeorology (5/30 each)
Three numerical exercises on agroclimatological analysis (time series analysis and application of agrometeorological interpretative models) (5/30 each)
To pass the test, the student must obtain a satisfactory result in both the theoretical and practical parts.
With regard to the theoretical part, the correct knowledge of the required notions, the use of the appropriate technical terminology and the expositive clarity will be evaluated.
With regard to the exercise part, the accuracy of the results, the correctness of the procedure and the clarity of the presentation will be assessed.
AGR/03 - ARBORICULTURE AND FRUITCULTURE - University credits: 4
Practicals: 12 hours
Lessons: 26 hours
Lessons: 26 hours
Professor:
Cola Gabriele
Professor(s)