FACCE-JPI Knowledge Hub MACSUR Partner 65

Lead Research Organisation: Rothamsted Research
Department Name: Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems

Abstract

FACCE MACSUR focuses on modelling European agriculture with climate change for food security. The work is
organized in three themes on crop, livestock and trade modeling. The partnership consists of 73 partners from 16 countries
all over Europe. The overarching challenge is to develop a pan-European capability in the development, use and
interpretation of models to perform risk assessments of the impacts of climate change on European agriculture. To address
this the following challenges must be met:

1. Identify and address a range of issues between models in different themes to enable their closer integration including
issues of scale and data processing.

2. Train a new generation of scientists to work across models which contribute to greater integration of models. This
challenge can be described as focusing on the creation of integrated modelers as opposed to integrated models.

3. Determine the contribution that can be made to reducing uncertainty over the impacts of climate change on European
food security by adopting integrated models of crop production, animal production and trade.

Technical Summary

The knowledge hub exists to bring together expertise in Europe both within communities of crop, livestock and trade modellers and also between
them. The activies of the hub fall into the following categories:

1. Assessment of the current situation regarding models, data and the inter-relationships between them.

2. Development and enhancement of existing models by sharing paractice and knowledge.

3. Model intercomparison using high quality data sets.

4. Identification and development of necessary steps to link models.

5. Use of models to simulate representative scenarios and to determine level and source of uncertainty in the models.

It is envisaged that all of these activities will take place both within and beyond the three research themes of the knowledge hub. Workpackages
therefore been designed within the theme to address the challenges in a whay which is appropriate to the type of models which exist within the
themes. Additionally three cross cutting workpackages will be run in order to co-ordicnate the activities across themes and to develop an integrated assessment of the impacts of climate change on European agriculture.

Planned Impact

The project aims to improve our understanding of the uncertainties surrounding the ways in which European agriculture will adapt to and mitigate climate change. It is therefore of direct relevance to policy makers and the producers and users of food in the European Union. The project is very high profile and is certain to attract considerable interest from these communities as it progresses. In order to ensure that we able to meet this demand for information we will integrate dissemination within the project. A website is under development and it is intended that stakeholders will be involved in the major events of the project, beginning with the kick-off meeting and concluding with the final conference. Beyond Europe, it is expected that the activities of this project will also contribute to the parallel, global modelling efforts of the AgMIP consortium.
 
Description Travel and consumable money in this grant only
Model comparisons have been made between participants. Attendance at conferences and exchanges which have publicised the North Wyke Farm Paltform. Analyses of data from other projects and sources
Exploitation Route Extension on same uncosted basis planned
Sectors Chemicals

 
Description BBSRC ISP S2N ASSIST
Amount £8,500,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2017 
End 03/2022
 
Description FACCE JPI Surplus
Amount € 1,600,000 (EUR)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2016 
End 04/2019
 
Description Attendance of the FACCE-SURPLUS Knowledge Network on Sustainable Intensification 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact FACCE-JPI wishes to coordinate funding for research in the area of Sustainable Intensification research in Europe
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Attendances TempAg meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Coordination of research on sustainable agriculture in Temperate Agriculture
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description First Annual Meeting of the SI research Community 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The purpose of the SI network was outlined and discussed
Participants fed back the kinds of activities and actions they would like to see
As a result a discussion forum is being set up and a workshop to engage social and biological scientists is being organised
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.sirn.org.uk
 
Description Workshop Eliciting targets for the sustainable development goals and goal 2 in particular 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact A workshop was convened in order to identify the views of stakeholders on the nature of agriculture in 2030 and 2050 and the ways in which agriculture might change to deliver to the UN SDGs in an full and meaningfull way as possible. Stakeholders were divided in to those representing arable, livestock or diary sectors and having identified reasonable targets by way of improving agriculture, reflected on pathways over time to reach these targets and goals
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018