For the study in Nature Food, researchers conducted a statistical analysis of pollution exposure and yields from 1980 to 2015 on a key sector making up about 38% of the state’s total agricultural output: perennial crops such as almonds, grapes, nectarines, peaches, strawberries, and walnuts.

They found that reductions in ground ozone during this 35-year period resulted in $600 million in increased production annually by the early 2010s.

“A lot of California farmers may not appreciate that air quality standards have had such a benefit on their ability to grow crops,” says coauthor Steven Davis, associate professor of earth system science at the University of California, Irvine.

“The irony is that by fighting against certain environmental regulations, these folks may be damaging their own earning capacity.”

The researchers also projected yield changes up to 2050 under various scenarios, determining that expected declines in ambient ozone will result in a 5% boost in wine grapes, an 8% climb in nectarines, and a 20% jump in table grapes.

They discovered, however, that yields of other crops, such as almonds, may suffer comparable decreases due to higher temperatures.

Davis notes that earlier studies on the impact of climate warming and ambient ozone on the state’s ability to grow food have focused on high-volume staple crops such as wheat, soy, and rice. But he and his colleagues chose to concentrate on perennials because of the long-term investment they represent and the fact that California is a major supplier of this type of produce.

Read the full article about air pollution by Brian Bell at Futurity.