scholarly journals Observed Changes in Agroclimate Metrics Relevant for Specialty Crop Production in California

Agronomy ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Parker ◽  
Ning Zhang ◽  
John T. Abatzoglou ◽  
Steven M. Ostoja ◽  
Tapan B. Pathak
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
Agricultural Water Resources ◽  
Frost Free Period

Every decade, a suite of standardized climatological metrics known as climate normals are updated, providing averages of temperature and precipitation data over the previous 30-year period. Although some of these climate normals are directly applicable to agricultural producers, there are additional agroclimate metrics calculated from meteorological data that provide physiologically relevant information for on-farm management decisions. In this study, we identified a suite of energy-based agroclimate metrics and calculated changes over the two most recent normal periods (1981–2010 and 1991–2020), focusing on specialty crop production regions in California. Observed changes in agroclimate metrics were largely consistent with broader global warming trends. While most metrics showed small changes between the two periods, during the 1991–2020 period, the last spring freeze occurred ~5 days earlier as compared to the 1981-2010 period, contributing to a >6 day longer frost-free period in the Sacramento and Salinas Valleys; likewise an additional 6.4 tropical nights (Tn > 20 °C) occurred in the Coachella Valley during the 1991-2020 period. A complementary trend analysis of the agroclimate metrics over the 1981–2020 period showed significant increases in growing degree days across all agricultural regions, while significant increases in heat exposure were found for the Salinas and Imperial Valleys and over the Central Coast region. Moreover, summer reference evapotranspiration increased approximately 40 mm in California’s Central Valley during 1981–2020, with implications for agricultural water resources. Quantifying the shifts in these agroclimate metrics between the two most recent 30-year normal periods and the accompanying 40-year trends provides context for understanding and communicating around changing climatic baselines and underscores the need for adaptation to meet the challenge that climate change poses to agriculture both in the future and in the present.

scholarly journals Climate Variability Since 1970 and Farmers’ Observations in Northern Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Nyadzi
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Northern Ghana ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Access To Credit

<p>The study examines how farmers’ observations of climate variability and change correspond with 42 years (1970-2011) meteorological data of temperature and rainfall. It shows how farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana adjust to the changing climate and explore the various obstacles that hinder the implementation of their adaptation strategies. With the help of an extension officer, 200 farmers from 20 communities were randomly selected based on their farming records. Temperatures over the last four decades (1970-2009) increased at a rate of 0.04 (± 0.41) ˚C and 0.3(± 0.13)˚C from 2010-2011 which is consistent to the farmers (82.5%) observations. Rainfall within the districts are characterised by inter-annual and monthly variability. It experienced an increased rate of 0.66 (± 8.30) mm from 1970-2009, which was inconsistent with the farmers (81.5%) observation. It however decreased from 2010-2011 at a huge rate of -22.49 (±15.90) mm which probably was the reason majority of the respondents claim rainfall was decreasing. Only 64.5% of the respondents had adjusted their farming activities because of climate variability and change. They apply fertilizers and pesticides, practice soil and water conservation, and irrigation for communities close to dams. Respondents desire to continue their current adaptation methods but may in the future consider changing crop variety, water-harvesting techniques, change crop production to livestock keeping, and possibly migrate to urban centers. Lack of climate change education, low access to credit and agricultural inputs are some militating factors crippling the farmers’ effort to adapt to climate change.</p>

scholarly journals Reconstruction of the annual balance of Vadret da Morteratsch, Switzerland, since 1865

2009 ◽  
Vol 50 (50) ◽  
pp. 126-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Nemec ◽  
Philippe Huybrechts ◽  
Oleg Rybak ◽  
Johannes Oerlemans
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Surface Energy Fluxes ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Continuous Mass ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Precipitation Records ◽  
High Elevations ◽  
Annual Balance ◽  
Almost Continuous

AbstractWe have reconstructed the annual balance of Vadret da Morteratsch, Engadine, Switzerland, with a two-dimensional energy-balance model for the period 1865–2005. The model takes into account a parameterization of the surface energy fluxes, an albedo that decreases exponentially with snow depth as well as the shading effect of the surrounding mountains. The model was first calibrated with a 5 year record of annual balance measurements made at 20 different sites on the glacier between 2001 and 2006 using meteorological data from surrounding weather stations as input. To force the model for the period starting in 1865, we employed monthly temperature and precipitation records from nearby valley stations. The model reproduces the observed annual balance reasonably well, except for the lower part during the warmest years. Most crucial to the results is the altitudinal precipitation gradient, but this factor is hard to quantify from the limited precipitation data at high elevations. The simulation shows an almost continuous mass loss since 1865, with short interruptions around 1920, 1935 and 1980. A trend towards a more negative annual balance can be observed since the beginning of the 1980s. The simulated cumulative mass balance for the entire period 1865–2005 was found to be –46mw.e.

scholarly journals Barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Goldberger ◽  
Robert Emmet Jones ◽  
Carol A. Miles ◽  
Russell W. Wallace ◽  
Debra A. Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Polyethylene Mulch

AbstractCommercial farmers have been using polyethylene plastic mulch since the 1950s. Despite the affordability and effectiveness of polyethylene mulch, the disposal process is financially and environmentally costly. Biodegradable plastic mulches, an ecologically sustainable alternative to polyethylene mulch films, were introduced in the 1980s. Biodegradable plastic mulches can be tilled into the soil or composted at the end of the season, reducing the labor and environmental costs associated with plastic removal and disposal. However, research results are mixed as to the effectiveness, degradability and ease-of-use of biodegradable plastic mulches. In 2008–2012, researchers, funded by a USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant, conducted surveys and focus groups in three different agricultural regions of the USA to better understand the barriers and bridges to the adoption of biodegradable plastic mulches for specialty crop production systems. Data on the experiences and views of specialty crop growers, agricultural extension agents, agricultural input suppliers, mulch manufacturers and other stakeholders showed that the major adoption barriers were insufficient knowledge, high cost and unpredictable breakdown. The major bridges to adoption were reduced waste, environmental benefits and interest in further learning. These findings are discussed with reference to the classic innovation diffusion model, specifically work on the innovation–decision process and the attributes of innovations. The study results can be used to guide the activities of those involved in the design, development and promotion of biodegradable plastic mulches for US specialty crop production systems.

scholarly journals Impact of Climate Change on Water Availability and Food Security of Nepal

2012 ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
Roshan Kumar Mehta ◽  
Shree Chandra Shah
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Groundwater Table ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Water Scarce

The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is widely believed to be causing climate change. It affects agriculture, forestry, human health, biodiversity, and snow cover and aquatic life. Changes in climatic factors like temperature, solar radiation and precipitation have potential to influence agrobiodiversity and its production. An average of 0.04°C/ year and 0.82 mm/year rise in annual average maximum temperature and precipitation respectively from 1975 to 2006 has been recorded in Nepal. Frequent droughts, rise in temperature, shortening of the monsoon season with high intensity rainfall, severe floods, landslides and mixed effects on agricultural biodiversity have been experienced in Nepal due to climatic changes. A survey done in the Chitwan District reveals that lowering of the groundwater table decreases production and that farmers are attracted to grow less water consuming crops during water scarce season. The groundwater table in the study area has lowered nearly one meter from that of 15 years ago as experienced by the farmers. Traditional varieties of rice have been replaced in the last 10 years by modern varieties, and by agricultural crops which demand more water for cultivation. The application of groundwater for irrigation has increased the cost of production and caused severe negative impacts on marginal crop production and agro-biodiversity. It is timely that suitable adaptive measures are identified in order to make Nepalese agriculture more resistant to the adverse impacts of climate change, especially those caused by erratic weather patterns such as the ones experienced recently.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v11i1.7206 Hydro Nepal Special Issue: Conference Proceedings 2012 pp.59-63

Spatial distribution and temporal variability of open fire in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunpeng Yi ◽  
Yulong Bao ◽  
Jiquan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Burnt Area ◽  
The North ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Vegetation Fires ◽  
Precipitation Variation ◽  
Two Peaks

This study presents the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation fires in China based on a combination of national fire records (1950–2010) and satellite fire data (2001–12). This analysis presents the first attempt to understand existing patterns of open fires and their consequences for the whole of China. We analysed inter- and intra-annual fire trends and variations in nine subregions of China as well as associated monthly meteorological data from 130 stations within a 50-year period. During the period 2001–12, an average area of 3.2 × 106 ha was consumed by fire per year in China. The Chinese fire season has two peaks occurring in the spring and autumn. The profiles of the burnt area for each subregion exhibit distinct seasonality. The majority of the vegetation fires occurred in the north-eastern and south-western provinces. We analysed quantitative relationships between climate (temperature and precipitation) and burnt area. The results indicate a synchronous relationship between precipitation variation and burnt area. The data in this paper reveal how climate and human activities interact to create China’s distinctive pyrogeography.

scholarly journals Summer drought in Switzerland 1981‒2020: Events, trends and drivers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon C. Scherrer ◽  
Christoph Spirig ◽  
Martin Hirschi ◽  
Felix Maurer ◽  
Sven Kotlarski
Keyword(s):  
Regional Climate Model ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Summer Drought ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Temperature Scaling

&lt;p&gt;The Alpine region has recently experienced several dry summers with negative impacts on the economy, society and ecology. Here, soil water, evapotranspiration and meteorological data from several observational and model-based data sources is used to assess events, trends and drivers of summer drought in Switzerland in the period 1981&amp;#8210;2020. 2003 and 2018 are identified as the driest summers followed by somewhat weaker drought conditions in 2020, 2015 and 2011. We find clear evidence for an increasing summer drying in Switzerland. The observed climatic water balance (-39.2&amp;#160;mm/decade) and 0-1 m soil water from reanalysis (ERA5-Land: -4.7&amp;#160;mm/decade; ERA5: -7.2&amp;#160;mm/decade) show a clear tendency towards summer drying with decreasing trends in most months. Increasing evapotranspiration (potential evapotranspiration: +21.0&amp;#160;mm/decade; ERA5-Land actual evapotranspiration: +15.1&amp;#160;mm/decade) is identified as important driver which scales excellently (+4 to +7%/K) with the observed strong warming of about 2&amp;#176;C. An insignificant decrease in precipitation further enhanced the tendency towards drier conditions. Most simulations of the EURO-CORDEX regional climate model ensemble underestimate the changes in summer drying. They underestimate both, the observed recent summer warming and the small decrease in precipitation. The changes in temperature and precipitation are negatively correlated, i.e. simulations with stronger warming tend to show (weak) decreases in precipitation. However, most simulations and the reanalysis overestimate the correlation between temperature and precipitation and the precipitation-temperature scaling on the interannual time scale. Our results emphasize that the analysis of the regional summer drought evolution and its drivers remains challenging especially with regional climate model data but considerable uncertainties also exist in reanalysis data sets.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Factors influencing and dynamics of the agricultural insurance market

VUZF Review ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
Nataliya Tanklevska ◽  
Vitalina Yarmolenko
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
The State ◽  
Insurance Market ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Agricultural Insurance ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
Insurance Sector ◽  
Factors Influencing

The article is aimed at identifying modern features of insurance in the agricultural sector of the Ukrainian economy and defining the factors of influence on the agricultural insurance market. The article discloses interpretation of the terms of «insurance» and «agricultural insurance» and also presents the types of possible risks arising in the activities of agricultural enterprises. The performance indicators of leading insurance companies in the field of agricultural insurance are analyzed. The current state and dynamics of insurance of agricultural risks, which arise both in the field of crop production and in livestock, are researched. This will allow predicting the future prospects of the market for insurance services and products, as well as finding possible optimal ways to solve the problems of product insurance, faced by the agricultural producers. The main factors influencing the efficiency of the insurance market in the agricultural insurance sector are allocated. The basic principles of insurance of agricultural products with the State support are analyzed. It is defined that the further development of agricultural insurance should be directed towards creating a profitable and safe environment for all participants in the agricultural market, which provides for the distribution of risks between agricultural producers, processing enterprises, banks, insurance companies and the State. The agricultural insurance of risks creates possibilities for advantageous harmonizing the interests of participants in the agricultural insurance market and the State as a party whose first priority is to ensure stable economic growth.

scholarly journals SEASONAL AND INTERANNUAL PATTERN OF METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES IN CUIABÁ, MATO GROSSO STATE, BRAZIL

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja Gomes Machado ◽  
Marcelo Sacardi Biudes ◽  
Carlos Alexandre Santos Querino ◽  
Victor Hugo De Morais Danelichen ◽  
Maísa Caldas Souza Velasque
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Global Radiation ◽  
Meteorological Variables ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
Mato Grosso

ABSTRACT. Cuiab´a is located on the border of the Pantanal and Cerrado, in Mato Grosso State, which is recognized as one of the biggest agricultural producers of Brazil. The use of natural resources in a sustainable manner requires knowledge of the regional meteorological variables. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the seasonal and interannual pattern of meteorological variables in Cuiab´a. The meteorological data from 1961 to 2011 were provided by the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET – National Institute of Meteorology). The results have shown interannual and seasonal variations of precipitation, solar radiation, air temperature and relative humidity, and wind speed and direction, establishing two main distinct seasons (rainy and dry). On average, 89% of the rainfall occurred in the wet season. The annual average values of daily global radiation, mean, minimum and maximum temperature and relative humidity were 15.6 MJ m–2 y–1, 27.9◦C, 23.0◦C, 30.0◦C and 71.6%, respectively. Themaximum temperature and the wind speed had no seasonal pattern. The wind speed average decreased in the NWdirectionand increased in the S direction.Keywords: meteorological variables, climatology, ENSO. RESUMO. Cuiabá está localizado na fronteira do Pantanal com o Cerrado, no Mato Grosso, que é reconhecido como um dos maiores produtores agrícolas do Brasil. A utilização dos recursos naturais de forma sustentável requer o conhecimento das variáveis meteorológicas em escala regional. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o padrão sazonal e interanual das variáveis meteorológicas em Cuiabá. Os dados meteorológicos de 1961 a 2011 foram fornecidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). Os resultados mostraram variações interanuais e sazonais de precipitação, radiação solar, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar e velocidade e direção do vento, estabelecendo duas principais estações distintas (chuvosa e seca). Em média, 89% da precipitação ocorreu na estação chuvosa. Os valores médios anuais de radiação diária global, temperatura do ar média, mínima e máxima e umidade relativa do ar foram 15,6 MJ m–2 y–1, 27,9◦C, 23,0◦C, 30,0◦C e 71,6%, respectivamente. A temperatura máxima e a velocidade do vento não tiveram padrão sazonal. A velocidade média do vento diminuiu na direção NW e aumentou na direção S.Palavras-chave: variáveis meteorológicas, climatologia, ENOS.

scholarly journals A Control Theory Approach to Optimal Irrigation Scheduling in the Oklahoma Panhandle

1980 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Harris ◽  
Harry P. Mapp
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Agricultural Producers ◽  
The Past

Climatic conditions in semiarid regions like the Oklahoma Panhandle result in wide fluctuations in rainfall, dryland crop yields, and returns to agricultural producers in the area. Irrigated crop production increases peracre yields and significantly reduces fluctuations in yields and net returns.Irrigated production of food and fiber in the Oklahoma Panhandle has developed rapidly during the past three decades, increasing from 11,500 to 385,900 acres since 1950 (Schwab). The primary source of irrigation water in the area is the Ogallala Formation, an aquifer underlying much of the Great Plains region. Until the past couple of years, the presence of relatively low cost natural gas led producers to expand irrigated production and apply high levels of water to crops irrigated in the area.

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