Helder Fraga

Dr. Helder Fraga

Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Vila Real, Portugal
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

17Years (2010-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 April 2020 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
João A. SantosJoão A. Santos
João A. Santos
Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
Aureliano C. MalheiroAureliano C. Malheiro
Aureliano C. Malheiro
José Moutinho PereiraJosé Moutinho Pereira
José Moutinho Pereira
L.-T. DinisL.-T. Dinis
L.-T. Dinis
HSHans R. Schultz
Hans R. Schultz
Viticulture and winemaking are important socioeconomic sectors in many European regions. Climate plays a vital role in the terroir of a given wine region, as it strongly controls canopy microclimate, vine growth, vine physiology, yield, and berry composition, which together determine wine attributes and typicity. New challenges are, however, predicted to arise from climate change, as grapevine cultivation is deeply dependent on weather and climate conditions. Changes in viticultural suitability over the last decades, for viticulture in general or the use of specific varieties, have already been reported for many wine regions. Despite spatially heterogeneous impacts, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate these recent trends on suitability for wine production. These shifts may reshape the geographical distribution of wine regions, while wine typicity may also be threatened in most cases. Changing climates will thereby urge for the implementation of timely, suitable, and cost-effective adaptation strategies, which should also be thoroughly planned and tuned to local conditions for an effective risk reduction. Although the potential of the different adaptation options is not yet fully investigated, deserving further research activities, their adoption will be of utmost relevance to maintain the socioeconomic and environmental sustainability of the highly valued viticulture and winemaking sector in Europe.

29 December 2020 in Agronomy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
MMMarco Moriondo
Marco Moriondo
LLLuisa Leolini
Luisa Leolini
João A. SantosJoão A. Santos
João A. Santos
The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an ancient traditional crop in the Mediterranean Basin. In the Mediterranean region, traditional olive orchards are distinguishable by their prevailing climatic conditions. Olive trees are indeed considered one of the most suitable and best-adapted species to the Mediterranean-type climate. However, new challenges are predicted to arise from climate change, threatening this traditional crop. The Mediterranean Basin is considered a climate change “hotspot,” as future projections hint at considerable warming and drying trends. Changes in olive tree suitability have already been reported over the last few decades. In this context, climate change may become particularly challenging for olive growers. The growing evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation measures to be taken. To effectively cope with the projected changes, both short and long-term adaptation strategies must be timely planned by the sector stakeholders and decision-makers to adapt for a warmer and dryer future. The current manuscript is devoted to illustrating the main impacts of climate change on olive tree cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin, by reviewing the most recent studies on this subject. Additionally, an analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts of climate change was also performed.

1 November 2012 in Food and Energy Security
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
Aureliano C. MalheiroAureliano C. Malheiro
Aureliano C. Malheiro
José Moutinho PereiraJosé Moutinho Pereira
José Moutinho Pereira
João A. SantosJoão A. Santos
João A. Santos
The importance of viticulture and of the winemaking socioeconomic sector in Europe is largely acknowledged. The most famous winemaking regions in Europe commonly present very specific environmental characteristics, where climate often plays a central role. Furthermore, given the strong influence of the atmospheric factors on this crop, climate change can significantly affect yield and wine quality under future conditions. Trends recorded in the recent past on many viticultural regions in Europe hint at an already pronounced increase in the growing‐season mean temperatures. Furthermore, climate‐change projections give evidence for significant changes in both the growing‐season temperatures and precipitations in the next decades. Although grapevines have several survival strategies, the mounting evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation and mitigation measures to be taken by the whole winemaking sector. Short‐term adaptation measures can be considered as a first protection strategy and should be focused at specific threats, mostly changes in crop‐management practices (e.g., irrigation, sunscreens for leaf protection). At long term, however, a wide range of adaptation measures should be considered (e.g., varietal and land allocation changes). An overview of the current scientific knowledge, mostly concerning the European viticulture, the potential climate change impacts, and feasible adaptation measures is provided herein.

19 September 2016 in Global Change Biology
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Journal Article
Closed access
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Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
IAIñaki García de Cortázar Atauri
Iñaki García de Cortázar Atauri
Aureliano C. MalheiroAureliano C. Malheiro
Aureliano C. Malheiro
João A. SantosJoão A. Santos
João A. Santos

30 September 2010 in Climate Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AMAc Malheiro
Ac Malheiro
JSJa Santos
Ja Santos
Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
JPJg Pinto
Jg Pinto

10 January 2013 in International Journal of Biometeorology
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Journal Article
Closed access
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Helder FragaHelder Fraga
Helder Fraga
Aureliano C. MalheiroAureliano C. Malheiro
Aureliano C. Malheiro
José Moutinho PereiraJosé Moutinho Pereira
José Moutinho Pereira
João A. SantosJoão A. Santos
João A. Santos