Assessment, impact and perception of climate change in the western part of France: The CLIMASTER project

Abstract

We describe the methods and the main results obtained in the framework of the climaster project with the aim of contributing to the debate on climate change in the Grand Ouest (western part) of France. Concerning the climate, past long term series make it possible to analyse current climate change. One degree of temperature is the mean increase over a fifty-year period. The rainfall data show a seasonally contrasted trend, with an increase in winter and a decrease in summer, especially in the northern part of the Grand Ouest. Concerning agriculture: an original work has been carried out on the agronomic useful days. The current and past trends of land use and land cover concerning innovative remote sensing methods over a decade are discussed. The ability of agricultural stakeholders to take into account the impact of climate change has been approached by surveys, seminars of prospective studies and exchanges among farmer groups. Investigations concerning water stakeholders have been also made for comparison. In conclusion, the work done, the methods used and the body of knowledge built all contribute to a way of considering climate change in the Grand Ouest.