Climate Change and Viticulture in Tîrgu Mureș

Abstract

Climate conditions are important for viticulture. For instance, in the period of “Medieval Climatic Optimum” (900-1300) northern boundary of viticulture reached the Baltic, while the so-called „Little Ice Age” (1300-1850) affected grape production in Europe and viticulture pulled up to Southern Europe. The last decade’s warming is beneficial for viticulture in many regions, e.g. we deal longer and warming growing season. Climate change does not mean only positive effect on viticulture, may induce some negative effects, e.g. increasing of extreme events. Tîrgu Mureș is not known for viticulture. However, climate change may induce some favorable conditions in that direction. The signs of climate change in Tîrgu Mureș are: warming trend; actually, no change in precipitation or in frequency of extreme events. In the last 30 years (1988-2017) mean annual temperature reached 9.5 °C. In the 1951-1981 period this value was 8.8 °C (while the minimum threshold for viticulture is 9.0 °C). After Pálfai Drought Index, no extreme, very serious, serious or heavy drought was registered, only a moderate drought was recorded in 1987. There are many indices for viticulture. An increasing, statistical significant trend is characteristic for many temperature indices. There is no statistical significant trend regarding the precipitation indices. Based on Huglin index (HI), Tîrgu Mureș may be included in the second class (cool), and based on Winkler index (WI) may be included in the first region (very cool). Sen’s slope estimate for these two indices are 5.417 (for HI) respectively 4.300 (for WI). If the trend of Winkler index will remain the same, as in the next 1-2 decades, this index will reach 1390 (region II.: cool). The decreasing, statistical significant trend of FS15D (Vitis Serious Frost Risk Days) may have also a positive effect on viticulture in Tîrgu Mureș.

Keywords

• viticulture
• climate change
• tîrgu mureș
• huglin index
• winkler index