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    Compared to the manifold potential impacts of climate change on
agroecosystems, potential adaptation measures are even more complex because of
the high number of options available through the human factor. New policies must
therefore be adopted under climate change conditions considering all potential and
realistic adaptation measures especially on the regional and farm level to secure
sustainability of agricultural crop production. Despite of the recognised relevance of
climate risk assessments for agroecosystems, they have been not noticeable
applied for supporting adaptation within agricultural decision-making within Europe,
neither worldwide, because of its uncertainty and lack of knowledge by
decision-makers. On the other hand, the European research funds concerning
agricultural climate-change impact assessments have been addressed mainly to
theoretical issues rather than to research-results applications. According to the
above statement, a new SSA is proposed in order to analyse and evaluate potential
and actual adaptation measures in agriculture for different climatic and
agroecosystem regions under risk in Europe. The various questions as formulated
under Task 18 of this SSP call will be investigated at the scientific level as well as at
the farm level by the partners in selected vulnerable regions. The SSA will consider
not only future scenarios and results based on modelling tools, but also already
visible (or known) ongoing changes and adaptation measures for a better and
realistic assessment of potential future adaptation measures at the regional level.
   Furthermore, probably changes in the European policies as the CAP or the WFD
will be taken in account as well, since final decisions of farmers would be based on
several issues additionally to climate risks. The SSA should establish a continuous
interacting information and discussion network, connecting the research level with
decision makers and support a holistic approach to solve the related problems.