Climate change could destroy Europe's truffle industry within a generation

Truffles are among the most sought after and expensive food items being exported across the globe from Europe. While climate change is having a negative impact on the environment, it may also affect this lucrative industry in years to come.

Researchers have now predicting that truffles could vanish from our tables within a generation. The production of the popular fungi is dominated by France, Spain and Italy; and it may decline by 78 per cent till 2071 followed by a 100 per cent decline towards 2100.

The climate in these regions will become warmer and drier triggering the decline which will have economic, ecological and social ramifications. Heat waves, forest fires, pests and diseases may also play their part in depriving the world of this culinary luxury.

Researchers suggested that conservational efforts involving expansion of plantations to new territories with a better future climate may be needed to protect the iconic species.