Many foods depend on extremely specific climates. Not just current climates, but the history of climate for thousands of years -- soils to grow a good crop in develop over that time span. The corn belt is where it is not just because of current (well, 1950-1980) climate but because in the thousands of years before that, the soil improved and developed to the point of being able to support such farming. For something like corn, which is grown across a huge area, climate change can be an issue. But someone, somewhere, will probably be able to grow corn 30 years from now.
But many items grow in relatively small areas, subject to the whims of local change. Some of these are:
- Chocolate
- Beer (hops)
- Wine (grapes)
- Coffee
- Horseradish (85% of the entire world's supply grows in a single county in Illinois)
I invite readers to check the sources linked to above. And to contribute their own crop types that are either sensitive to climate change, those which are insensitive, and those which would even benefit from expected changes. Please do include links to your examples.
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2 comments:
Horseradish ? The thing grows all over PA and OH, i see invasions in many gardens and vegetable plots i am acquainted with. I have seen 40 foot runners and explosive growth in early spring before the more wanted plants have a chance. Personally, i love it, eat large amounts of it (do remember to puree it in the cuisinart _outdoors_, standing _upwind_ when you remove the lid. My friends unload lots of it on me. If a shortage does occur, i will be in fat city.
sidd
:-) I was quite surprised when I first heard the observation. But I've since seen it backed by more serious statistics. Part of my surprise was like yours -- I had some growing, unasked, in my back yard.
I guess that either the climate for growing it on industrial scale is limited, or that most of the people interested in doing so are in that county. Wonder what it smells like at harvest time.
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