Abstract
The chestnut tree (Castanea spp.) is an important resource worldwide. It is cultivated due to the high value of its fruits and wood. The evolution between Castanea biodiversity and humans has resulted in the spread of chestnut genetic diversity. In 2019, the chestnut tree area worldwide was approximately 596 × 103 ha for fruit production (Southern Europe, Southwestern United States of America, and Asia). In Europe 311 × 103 t were produced. Five genetic poles can be identified: three in Greece, the northwest coast of the Iberian Peninsula, and the rest of the Mediterranean. Over the years, there have been some productivity changes, in part associated with climate change. Climate is considered one of the main drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem change. In the future, new challenges associated with climate change are expected, which could threaten this crop. It is essential to identify the impacts of climate change on chestnut trees, improving the current understanding of climate-tree interconnections. To deal with these projected changes adaptation strategies must be planned. This manuscript demonstrates the impacts of climate change on chestnut cultivation, reviewing the most recent studies on the subject. Furthermore, an analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts was studied.
Highlights
Worldwide, the chestnut tree (Castanea spp., Fagaceae family) is an ecologically, economically, and culturally important resource [1]
The present review aims to provide some clues on how climate change may impact chestnut tree cultivation in Europe, as well as to offer an overview of the possible adaptation measures that are currently available for chestnut growers
In the early 20th century, the massive mortality of Castanea sativa in southwestern Europe, which was caused by different species of P. spp., led to the introduction of genes of the Asiatic species Castanea crenata and Castanea mollissima, where rootstocks that are resistant to this fungus resulted [53]
Summary
The chestnut tree (Castanea spp., Fagaceae family) is an ecologically, economically, and culturally important resource [1]. Assessing climate change projections under different anthropogenic radiative forcing scenarios, their potential impacts on chestnut tree growth and development, chestnut yield and quality attributes, as well as the identification of suitable and effective adaptation measures, are of foremost relevance for the future sustainability of chestnut cultivation. The present review aims to provide some clues on how climate change may impact chestnut tree cultivation in Europe, as well as to offer an overview of the possible adaptation measures (short- and long-term) that are currently available for chestnut growers.
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