Realign severely altered systems toward future conditions

Agricultural lands may face significant impacts because of climate change-related disruptions, including drought, severe weather events, and invasive species (Hatfield et al. 2014; Walthall et al. 2012). Some systems may experience significant disruption and decline such that even intensive management may be insufficient to maintain desired conditions or achieve intended goals (Millar et al. 2007). This approach fundamentally allows producers to “reset” their management to select new commodities or production systems that are expected to be better matched to current and anticipated conditions.

Beyond deliberate changes in farm commodities and practices, there may be a need for wholesale change within agricultural systems due to the degree of change observed in a particular place. While agriculture has been able to largely adapt to recent changes in climate, substantial pressures from climate change and associated socioeconomic changes will create substantial challenges in coming decades (Hatfield et al. 2014). This strategy touches on actions to respond to severely changed conditions in a way that anticipates continued change and uncertainty in the future.