CAP-RDD

IMPACT

Adapting to climate change

DESCRIPTION

Cold Air Pools (CAP) are an atmospheric phenomenon characterized by the formation and trapping of low fogs that can be thick and last for several weeks. Their occurrence in the Douro Demarcated Region affects viticulture, potentially influencing the quality and quantity of grapes/wine produced, depending on the grapevine's vegetative state. CAPs particularly affect the cold hours that induce winter dormancy and have the potential to produce frosts that, if occurring in spring, can destroy the tender parts of the plant, impacting grape production. It is expected that the frequency and intensity of CAPs will be affected by climate change. This project will use the latest climate projections to predict their occurrence in detail and assess their potential impact on grape production under different future climate evolution scenarios. The project will be conducted based on a PhD co-supervised by the Universities of Aveiro and UTAD and is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology under the non-academic doctoral scholarship program.