Growing season

Climate therefore influences which plants can survive, how quickly they grow and how long their growing season lasts. The vegetation then influences the food and habitats available to animals.

Temperature affects the length of the growing season. Warm conditions throughout the year allow continued growth, provided enough water is available. Long, freezing winters restrict growth to a short summer.

Agriculture may benefit from a longer growing season. Warmer conditions can make some crops easier to grow and allow new crops to be introduced. However, reduced summer rainfall limits irrigation water, drought can damage harvests and some existing crops may become less suited to higher temperatures.