Climatic change and water requirements for grain corn in the North American Great Plains

A parametric crop water use and yield model was applied to a transect spanning the North American Great Plains to investigate the evapotranspiration demand on grain corn and the associated irrigation water applications needed for optimal crop production. The transect consisted of four sample stations, covering 25 degrees of latitude. 124 climate change scenarios for each of the transect stations, were created by systematically changing air temperature, precipitation, and incident solar radiation in terms of positive and negative departures from the normal, long-term record. This paper reports how grain corn evapotranspiration and irrigation water amounts would respond to climatic changes inherent in the scenarios if there were no changes in agricultural technology. Among the results, the seasonal response of evapotranspiration (ET) totals to air temperature perturbations was greatest in the higher latitudes and least in the lower latitudes. This impact of changing temperature was also greatest under sunny compared with cloudy conditions, and for fully irrigated in contrast to rainfed conditions. Changes in precipitation amounts caused greatest responses in rainfed fields under sunny conditions. The middle latitudes (e.g., Kansas City) were most sensitive. Perturbing solar radiation caused greatest evapotranspiration changes with irrigated conditions particularly in the middle latitudes. Percentage changes in solar radiation (or cloudiness) were of considerably greater importance than comparable precipitation changes. In the absence of temperature perturbations, the relative precipitation and solar radiation changes caused similar trends in amount of irrigation water applied. For temperature changes, the resultant irrigation watering responses were largely non-linear. A consecutive paper will report on the response of maize yield to the introduced climatic changes and associated irrigation schedules.Dr. Liverman was also affiliated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. She is currently at the Department of Geography, University of Wiscon, Madison, WI.P. A. O'Rourke and P. E. Todhunter. Dr. O'Rourke is a Visiting Scholar at UCLA from Litton System, Inc., Data Systems Division.     

Climate Change Impacts for the Conterminous USA: An Integrated Assessment

During this century global warming will lead to changes in global weather and climate, affecting many aspects of our environment. Agriculture is the sector of the United States economy most likely to be directly impacted by climatic changes. We have examined potential changes in dryland agriculture (Part 3) and in water resources necessary for crop production (Part 4) in response to a set of climate change scenarios. In this paper we assess to what extent, under these same scenarios, water supplies will be sufficient to meet the irrigation requirement of major grain crops in the US. In addition, we assess the overall impacts of changes in water supply on national grain production. We apply the 12 climate change scenarios described in Part 1 to the water resources and crop growth simulation models described in Part 2 for the conterminous United States. Drawing on data from Parts 3 and 4 we calculate what the aggregate national production would be in those regions in which grain crops are currently produced by applying irrigation where needed and water supplies allow. The total amount of irrigation water applied to crops declines under all climate change scenarios employed in this study. Under certain of the scenarios and in particular regions, precipitation decreases so much that water supplies are too limited; in other regions precipitation becomes so plentiful that little value is derived from irrigation. Nationwide grain crop production is greater when irrigation is applied as needed. Under irrigation, less corn and soybeans are produced under most of the climate change scenarios than is produced under baseline climate conditions. Winter wheat production under irrigation responds significantly to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations [CO₂] and appears likely to increase under climate change.     

An empirical study of the economic effects of climate change on world agriculture

The economic effects of a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on world agriculture under two alternative crop response scenarios are empirically estimated. These effects include both changes in the prices of agricultural commodities as a result of changes in domestic agricultural yields, and changes in economic welfare following altered world patterns of consumption and production of agricultural commodities. Under both scenarios, with a few exceptions, the effects on national economic welfare are found to be quite modest. However, prices of agricultural commodities are estimated to rise considerably under the more pessimistic scenario. Increased agricultural prices reduce consumer surplus and diminish the benefits from climate change that some countries with predicted positive yield effects would otherwise receive.Authorship is equally shared. Reilly and Tobey are with the Resources and Technology Division, Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Kane is with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. We are grateful for the research assistance of Rhonda Bucklin, and the thoughtful comments of three anonymous reviewers. The views expressed in this paper are the authors' own and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Commerce.     

Effects of climate change on grain maize yield potential in the european community

Grain maize yield in the main arable areas of the European Community (E.C.) was calculated with a simulation model, WOFOST, using historical weather data and average soil characteristics. The sensitivity of the model to individual weather variables was determined. Subsequent analyses were made using climate change scenarios with and without the direct effects of increased atmospheric CO₂. The impact of crop management (sowing date, irrigation and cultivar type) in a changed climate was also assessed. Scenario climate change generally results in larger grain yields for the northern E.C., similar or slightly smaller yields for the central E.C. and considerably smaller yields for the southern E.C. The various climate change scenarios used appear to give considerably different changes in grain yield, both for each location and for the E.C. as a whole. Management analyses show that for both current and scenario climates the largest grain yield will be attained by varieties with an early start of grain filling, that average irrigation requirements to attain potential grain yield in the E.C. will increase with climate change but will decrease with both increased CO₂ and climate change, and that sowing at both current and scenarios climate should occur as early as possible.The U.S. Government right to retain a nonexclusive, royalty-free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Climate Change and Winter Wheat Management: A Modelling Scenario for South-Eastern England

Crop models are useful tools for assessing the impact of climate change on crop production. The dynamic crop-growth model, CERES-Wheat is used to examine crop management responses, including yield, under six climate change scenarios for the years 2025 and 2050 on the Estate of Imperial College at Wye, Kent, U.K. Sensitivity analysis shows a dry matter yield decrease in response to increases in temperature alone. CERES-Wheat was then constrained to assess the crop performance under water-limited production scenarios with different soils, and the results show that crop grain yield actually increases, largely due to CO₂ fertilisation leading to increased rates of photosynthesis. Different management practices (planting dates and nitrogen application) were applied to find the best adaptation strategies. In general, `early' sowing (10th September) had the highest simulated yield, and `late' sowing (10th November) the lowest. For the soils tested, the highest and sustained crop production was obtained from Hamble soils (silt loam) compared with either the Fyfield (sandy) or Denchworth (clay). Adding nitrogen and other fertilisers would likely be necessary to take full advantage of the CO₂ fertilisationeffect and to compensate, in some cases, for yield losses caused by climate change where water shortage becomes serious.     

A reassessment of the economic effects of global climate change on U.S. agriculture

This study uses recent GCM forecasts, improved plant science and water supply data and refined economic modeling capabilities to reassess the economic consequences of long-term climate change on U.S. agriculture. Changes in crop yields, crop water demand and irrigation water arising from climate change result in changes in economic welfare. Economic consequences of the three GCM scenarios are mixed; GISS and GFDL-QFlux result in aggregate economic gains, UKMO implies losses. As in previous studies, the yield enhancing effects of atmospheric CO₂ are an important determinant of potential economic consequences. Inclusion of changes in world food production and associated export changes generally have a positive affect on U.S. agriculture. As with previous studies, the magnitude of economic effects estimated here are a small percentage of U.S. agricultural value.     

Vulnerability and adaptability of wheat production in different climatic zones of Pakistan under climate change scenarios

Ten wheat production sites of Pakistan were categorized into four climatic zones i.e. arid, semi-arid, sub-humid and humid to explore the vulnerability of wheat production in these zones to climate change using CSM-Cropsim-CERES-Wheat model. The analysis was based on multi-year (1971–2000) crop model simulation runs using daily weather series under scenarios of increased temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (CO₂) along with two scenarios of water management. Apart from this, sowing date as an adaptation option to offset the likely impacts of climate change was also considered. Increase in temperature resulted in yield declines in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid zone. But the humid zone followed a positive trend of gain in yield with rise in temperature up to 4°C. Within a water regime, increase in CO₂ concentration from 375 to 550 and 700 ppm will exert positive effect on gain in wheat yield but this positive effect is significantly variable in different climatic zones under rainfed conditions than the full irrigation. The highest response was shown by arid zone followed by semi-arid, sub-humid and humid zones. But if the current baseline water regimes (i.e. full irrigation in arid and semi-arid zones and rainfed in sub-humid and humid zones) persist in future, the sub-humid zone will be most benefited in terms of significantly higher percent gain in yield by increasing CO₂ level, mainly because of its rainfed water regime. Within a CO₂ level the changes in water supply from rainfed to full irrigation shows an intense degree of responsiveness in terms of yield gain at 375 ppm CO₂ level compared to 550 and 700 ppm. Arid and semi-arid zones were more responsive compared to sub-humid and humid zones. Rise in temperature reduced the length of crop life cycle in all areas, though at an accelerated rate in the humid zone. These results revealed that the climatic zones have shown a variable intensity of vulnerability to different scenarios of climate change and water management due to their inherent specific and spatial climatic features. In order to cope with the negative effects of climate change, alteration in sowing date towards cooler months will be an appropriate response by the farmers.     

两种气候变化情景下中国未来的粮食供给

全球温室气体排放导致的全球温度的上升一直是国际社会关注的重点问题之一。利用IPCC（政府间气候变化专门委员会）SRES（排放情景特别报告）的A2（中-高）和B2（中-低）温室气体排放情景，结合区域气候模式PRECIS和CERES作物模型模拟和分析了未来不同的温室气体排放情景下，中国未来2020年、2050年和2080年各个时段粮食的供需情景，并结合未来社会经济的发展分析了气候变化对未来粮食供求的影响，探讨了不同的气候变化程度对未来中国粮食供应的影响。结果表明：如果不考虑CO2的肥效作用，未来我国三种主要粮食作物（小麦、水稻和玉米）均以减产为主，灌溉可以部分地减少减产幅度，如果单考虑CO2的肥效作用，三种作物的产量变化以增产为主。若保持959／6的粮食自给率，人口按照SRESA2和B2情景增长，到2030年的技术进步可使粮食年单产递增0．79／6以上，维持目前的种植比例和种植面积，B2情景下，气候变化对我国的粮食安全问题将不会构成威胁，而A2情景下，气候变化将会对我国可持续发展的粮食安全造成威胁。     

Improving the Realism of Modeling Agronomic Adaptation to Climate Change: Simulating Technological Substitution

The purpose of the paper is to propose and test a new approach to simulating farmers' agronomic adaptation to climate change based on the pattern of adoption of technological innovation/substitution over time widely described as a S-shaped (or logistic) curve, i.e., slow growth at the beginning followed by accelerating and then decelerating growth, ultimately leading to saturation. The approach we developed is tested using the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator crop model applied to corn production systems in the southeastern U.S. using a high-resolution climate change scenario. Corn is the most extensively grown crop in the southeastern U.S. The RegCM limited area model nested within the CSIRO general circulation model generated the scenario. We compare corn yield outcomes using this new form of adaptation (logistic) with climatically optimized (clairvoyant) adaptation. The results show logistic adaptation to be less effective than clairvoyant adaptation in ameliorating climate change impacts on yields, although the differences between the two sets of yields are statistically significant in one case only. These results are limited by the reliance on a single scenario of climate change. We conclude that the logistic technique should be tested widely across climate change scenarios, crop species, and geographic areas before a full evaluation of its effect on outcomes is possible.     

Assessing the impact of climate change on representative field crops in Israeli agriculture: a case study of wheat and cotton

Climate changes, associated with accumulation of greenhouse gases, are expected to have a profound influence on agricultural sustainability in Israel, a semi-arid area characterized by a cold wet winter and a dry warm summer. Accordingly this study explored economic aspects of agricultural production under projected climate-change scenarios by the “production function” approach, as applied to two representative crops: wheat, as the major crop grown in Israel’s dry southern region, and cotton, representing the more humid climate in the north. Adjusting outputs of the global climate model HadCM3 to the specific research locations, we generated projections for 2070–2100 temperatures and precipitations for two climate change scenarios. Results for wheat vary among climate scenarios; net revenues become negative under the severe scenario (change from −145 to −273%), but may increase under the moderate one (−43 to +35%), depending on nitrogen applied to the crop. Distribution of rain events was found to play a major role in determining yields. By contrast, under both scenarios cotton experiences a considerable decrease in yield with significant economic losses (−240 and −173% in A2 and B2 scenarios, respectively). Additional irrigation and nitrogen may reduce farming losses, unlike changes in seeding dates.     

Climate Change Impacts for the Conterminous USA: An Integrated Assessment

Here we simulate dryland agriculture in the United States in order to assess potential future agricultural production under a set of general circulation model (GCM)-based climate change scenarios. The total national production of three major grain crops—corn, soybeans, and winter wheat—and two forage crops—alfalfa and clover hay—is calculated for the actual present day core production area (CPA) of each of these crops. In general, higher global mean temperature (GMT) reduces production and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) increases production. Depending on the climatic change scenarios employed overall national production of the crops studied changes by up to plus or minus 25% from present-day levels. Impacts are more significant regionally, with crop production varying by greater than ±50% from baseline levels. Analysis of currently possible production areas (CPPAs) for each crop indicates that the regions most likely to be affected by climate change are those on the margins of the areas in which they are currently grown. Crop yield variability was found to be primarily influenced by local weather and geographic features rather than by large-scale changes in climate patterns and atmospheric composition. Future US agronomic potential will be significantly affected by the changes in climate projected here. The nature of the crop response will depend primarily on to what extent precipitation patterns change and also on the degree of warming experienced.     

河西东部绿洲农作物生物量变化特征初探

利用地处干旱绿洲的河西走廊东部武威农业气象试验站1994—2001年农作物玉米生物量观测资料,分析了河西走廊东部绿洲农作物生物量年际、年内变化特征。结果表明：玉米叶面积、叶面积指数及叶、穗、株干重的年内变化呈S型曲线,叶、叶鞘、茎、穗、株鲜重及叶鞘、茎干重的年内变化表现为缓慢增长快速增长一缓慢增长一下降的趋势;各生物量数值在不同生长发育期存在不一致的年际变化,而生物量年内变化趋势在不同年份基本保持一致,但阶段变化速率有一定的年际差异。研究认为：在全球气候变化大背景下,农作物生物量变化的基本特征没有改变,但全球气候变化对农作物生物学进程及其生物量积累产生了一定的扰动．并且在不同生物量的不同生长时段产生不同的影响。     

Spatial Scale Effects of Climate Scenarios on Simulated Cotton Production in the Southeastern U.S.A.

We examine the effect of climate scenarios generated using results from climate models of different spatial resolution on yields simulated by the deterministic cotton model GOSSYM for the southeastern U.S.A. Two related climate change scenarios were used: a coarse-scale scenario produced from results of a general circulation model (GCM) which also provided the boundary conditions to a regional climate model (RCM), from which a fine-scale scenario was constructed. Cotton model simulations were performed for three cases: climate change alone; climate change and elevatedCO₂; climate change, elevated CO₂ and adaptations to climate change. In general, significant differences in state-average projected yield changes between the coarse and fine-scale scenarios are found for these three cases. In the first two cases, different directions of change are found in some sub-regions. With adaptation, yields substantially increase for both climate scenarios, but more so for the coarse-scale scenario (30%domain-average increase). Under irrigation, yield change differences between the two climate scenarios are small in all three cases, and yields are higher under irrigation ( 35% domain-average increase with adaptation case) compared to dryland conditions. For the climate change alone case, differences in summer water-stress levels explain the contrasts in dryland yield patterns between the coarse and fine-scale climate scenarios.     

气候变化对河南省灌溉小麦的影响及对策初探

灌溉是河南省冬小麦最重要的种植管理模式。在DSSAT-CERES小麦模型参数调试和区域适用性验证的基础上,利用区域气候模式PRECIS输出的未来气候情景资料,量化分析了2021—2050年河南省灌溉条件下冬小麦产量的可能变化,结果表明:若不采取其他措施,未来A2,B2两种温室气体排放情景下,河南省冬小麦产量平均减少5%左右,A2情景减产率略高于B2;随着产量降低,产量波动区间略有缩小,但25%~75%的稳产区间也相应缩小,且B2情景下更容易出现极端低产的年份;冬小麦水分利用效率相应降低。采取适当应对措施,如延迟播种期、减小种植密度等有利于提高产量或缓解减产趋势。     

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATER DEFICIT AND PRODUCTION OF WINTER WHEAT IN NORTH CHINA

The water deficits in different development stages and the whole growing season of winterwheat in North China under climate change scenarios are analyzed based on the meteorological da-ta,crop phenomenon and soil hydrological data of 30 weather stations.The results show that ifthe temperature rises,the potential evapotranspiration and crop maximum transpiration will in-crease 8%-10%;the actual evapotranspiration in whole growing season will increase about 1%-2%;and it seems to decrease in spring.Therefore the water deficit status would deteriorate.Theamount of water deficit in whole growing season would increase 14%-30%,and the water deficitisolines might shift southward with maximum shift distance being 190 km.As a result the climaticsuitability of winter wheat would change,and the variation rate of yield reduction will be 8%-20% of the present value which results in the declining output values.The irrigation amountwould increase 25%-33%,and the agriculture cost might increase owing to additional irrigation.     

U.S. Agriculture and Climate Change: New Results

We examined the impacts on U.S. agriculture of transient climate change assimulated by 2 global general circulation models focusing on the decades ofthe 2030s and 2090s. We examined historical shifts in the location of cropsand trends in the variability of U.S. average crop yields, finding thatnon-climatic forces have likely dominated the north and westward movement ofcrops and the trends in yield variability. For the simulated future climateswe considered impacts on crops, grazing and pasture, livestock, pesticide use,irrigation water supply and demand, and the sensitivity to international tradeassumptions, finding that the aggregate of these effects were positive for theU.S. consumer but negative, due to declining crop prices, for producers. Weexamined the effects of potential changes in El Niño/SouthernOscillation (ENSO) and impacts on yield variability of changes in mean climateconditions. Increased losses occurred with ENSO intensity and frequencyincreases that could not be completely offset even if the events could beperfectly forecasted. Effects on yield variability of changes in meantemperatures were mixed. We also considered case study interactions ofclimate, agriculture, and the environment focusing on climate effects onnutrient loading to the Chesapeake Bay and groundwater depletion of theEdward's Aquifer that provides water for municipalities and agriculture to theSan Antonio, Texas area. While only case studies, these results suggestenvironmental targets such as pumping limits and changes in farm practices tolimit nutrient run-off would need to be tightened if current environmentalgoals were to be achieved under the climate scenarios we examined     

黑龙江省作物生长动态模式预测产量的方法及应用

在分析作物干物质累积曲线的基础上，分析温度、降水等气候因子与作物干物质累积量的关系，而干物质累积量又与气候产量有着直接的关系。因此，在干物质累积模型的基础上，建立作物生长动态模式，该模式主要用于四大主栽作物玉米、大豆、水稻及小麦的产量预测。利用模式预测了2001～2002年黑龙江省四大作物的单产，其精确度在94％左右。     

Potential effects of global climatic change on the phenology and yield of maize in venezuela

Simulated impacts of global and regional climate change, induced by an enhanced greenhouse effect and by Amazonian deforestation, on the phenology and yield of two grain corn cultivars in Venezuela (CENIAP PB-8 and OBREGON) are reported. Three sites were selected:Turén, Barinas andYaritagua, representing two important agricultural regions in the country. The CERES-Maize model, a mechanistic process-based model, in theDecision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) was used for the crop simulations. These simulations assume non-limiting nutrients, no pest damage and no damage from excess water; therefore, the results indicate only the difference between baseline and perturbed climatic conditions, when other conditions remain the same. Four greenhouse-induced global climate change scenarios, covering different sensitivity levels, and one deforestation-induced regional climate change scenario were used. The greenhouse scenarios assume increased air temperature, increased rainfall and decreased incoming solar radiation, as derived from atmospheric GCMs for doubled CO₂ conditions. The deforestation scenarios assume increased air temperature, increased incoming solar radiation and decreased rainfall, as predicted by coupled atmosphere-biosphere models for extensive deforestation of a portion of the Amazon basin. Two baseline climate years for each site were selected, one year with average precipitation and another with lower than average rainfall. Scenarios associated with the greenhouse effect cause a decrease in yield of both cultivars at all three sites, while the deforestation scenarios produce small changes. Sensitivity tests revealed the reasons for these responses. Increasing temperatures, especially daily maximum temperatures, reduce yield by reducing the duration of the phenological phases of both cultivars, as expected from CERES-Maize. The reduction of the duration of the kernel filling phase has the largest effect on yield. Increases of precipitation associated with greenhouse warming have no effects on yield, because these sites already have adequate precipitation; however, the crop model used here does not simulate potential negative effects of excess water, which could have important consequences in terms of soil erosion and nutrient leaching. Increases in solar radiation increased yields, according to the non-saturating light response of the photosynthesis rate of a C₄ plant like corn, compensating for reduced yields from increased temperatures in deforestation scenarios. In the greenhouse scenarios, reduced insolation (due to increased cloud cover) and increased temperatures combine to reduce yields; a combination of temperature increase with a reduction in solar radiation produces fewer and lighter kernels.A report of thePAN-EARTH Project, Venezuela Case Study.     

Studying climate-related yield fluctuations of basic grain crops and their qualitative assessment under new socioeconomic conditions of the Russian Federation

Regularities of variability of grain crop yield by grain planting regions of the Russian Federation related to farming standards and a change in climatic conditions in the Soviet (1960–1990) and post-Soviet (1991–2008) periods are studied. The revealed regularities of the climate-related variability of the grain crop yield will be used in the process of adaptation of the weather-yield model to the present levels of the yield.