Fig. 5
Future changes in potentially cultivable land extent and its suitability until the end of the century (2070–2099) compared to the historic time period (1980–2009). Map (a) indicates regions that become potentially cultivable in the future under RCP2.6, RCP8.5 or under both scenarios, as well as regions that lose their suitability for agriculture under future climate and thus are not cultivable anymore under one or both climate change scenarios. Graph (b) displays the percentage change [%] of potentially cultivable land between the historic and the future time period (2070–2099) under both RCPs within each world region. Map (c) shows the underlying change in agricultural suitability from historic time period until 2100 exemplarily for potentially cultivable land under RCP8.5. Graph (d) displays the absolute potentially cultivable land area [million km2] for historic and both future time periods, subdivided into marginally suitable (light green), moderately suitable (green) and highly suitable land (dark green).
