The Impact of Climate Change on the Change of Vegetation Zones and Area of Agriculturally Used Land in Slovakia

Projected climate change in Slovakia is expected to significantly influence temperature and moisture conditions in agricultural production, as well as phenological patterns and soil properties. These shifts may reduce crop yields in areas already constrained by summer heat, enhance soil evaporation, and increase drought risk. The objective of this study was to assess and generate updated spatial outputs of vegetation zones and agricultural land. Analysis of the past 30 years revealed both earlier onsets and delayed endings of the growing season. Projections indicate that by 2091–2100, the great growing season will lengthen by approximately 25–30 days, and the main growing season by about 20 days relative to the present. Results suggest that extended growing seasons will encompass larger areas and gradually shift to higher altitudes. The 220–240-day category of the great growing season currently dominates (1.7–2.3 million ha), while durations exceeding 260 days, absent in 1971–1980, are expected to expand to about 55,000 ha by 2100. For the main growing season, the 160–190-day category remains prevalent (≈2.5 million ha), with only moderate future increases expected up to 220 days. Longer durations will likely remain limited, covering less than 50,000 ha.