Nutrient and Soil Moisture Dynamics Under Changing Climate

Climate changes are perceived globally due to human activities leading to severe food and water insecurity at regional and global levels. The primary reason for climate change is the accelerating trend of emission of greenhouse gases by the industry, agriculture, forestry and other land uses, transport, and energy sectors. The maximum and minimum temperatures and extreme precipitation events in South Asia are rising with high temporal and spatial variabilities. These changes have affected soil fertility and moisture status, degrading agricultural land productivity. Changes in CO2 concentration and temperature in the atmosphere and intensity and frequency of precipitation would positively and negatively impact soil nutrient dynamics and nutrient uptake by plants depending on the context. Climate change impacts affecting thermal and hydraulic conductivity of soil, inputs and outputs of organic carbon to soil, dynamics of soil organic carbon pools, and microbial transformations would serve as the key determinants of nutrient and moisture availability to support crop growth. Therefore, urgent actions must be taken at local and regional levels to mitigate the negative consequences of climate change on the availability of soil nutrients and moisture targeting to improve agricultural production and productivity and thereby ensure continuous assurance of food security. Thus, this chapter discussed aspects related to management of nutrients and soil moisture in the context of climate change.