Changing patterns of soil water content and relationship with national wheat and maize production in Europe

The warming of the climate and shrinking freshwater resources pose serious challenges to European agriculture. Meeting these demands a thorough knowledge major trends in soil moisture patterns across continent over time. Charting available water (ASW) content (m3 m-3) derived from ERA5 Land dataset grid cells 0.1° × 0.1°, highest values occurred Alpine, Baltic West Balkan countries, as well North Western Europe. However, part Mediterranean Carpathian-Balkan regions Eastern Europe recorded driest soils recent decades. annual average ASW decreased almost entire 1981 2007, but greatest degree Europe, while Northern suffered least all. For summer half year, top 28 cm significantly 45.5 % croplands, only 1.0% showed significant increase. Summer half-year declined entirety threatening reproductive stage wheat maize vegetation period. Soil had positive impact on yields an estimated 64.3 fields, negative one 5.7 %. In case was present 89.4 maize-growing areas, explaining 46–72 yield variances majority maize-producing countries. contrast wheat, for not observed. Significant - relationships were found with decreasing year 32.0 35.2 respectively. coexistence crop dependence decrease considerable threat grain production stability extensive These warning signs call effective intervention behalf conservation croplands.