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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 5, NUMBER 10, OCTOBER 1992

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS: AGRICULTURE

Item #d92oct23

Two items from Clim. Change, 21(4), Aug. 1992:

"Climate Change in Thailand and Its Potential Impact on Rice Yield," D. Bachelet (U.S. EPA-ERL, 200 SW 35th St., Corvallis OR 97333), D. Brown et al., 347-366.

Current climatic conditions in Thailand are compared to climate predictions from four GCMs. Global warming should in principle allow a northward expansion of rice-growing areas and a lengthening of the growing season now constrained by low temperatures. The expected increase in water-use efficiency due to enhanced CO₂ might decrease the water deficit vulnerability of dryland rice areas.

"Adaptation of Agriculture to Climate Change," N.J. Rosenberg (Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., 901 D St. SW, Washington DC 20024), 385-405.

Because of our incomplete understanding of the processes involved, impact assessments for agriculture can only be conjectural at this time. However, guidance is available from an improved understanding of the current climatic vulnerabilities of agriculture and its resource base, from application of a realistic range of climate change scenarios to impact assessment, and from consideration of the complexity of current agricultural systems and the range of adaptation techniques and policies available now or in the future.

Item #d92oct24

"Sensitivity of Agricultural Drainage Systems to Changes in Climatic Inputs," A.C. Armstrong (British Waterways, Greycaine Rd., Watford WD2 4JR, England), Agric. Water Mgmt., 21(1-2), 57-66, June 1992.

Drainage design and the performance of existing pipe systems in the U.K. are examined in the light of anthropogenic climate change, using a hydrologic model. Changes in drainage design could be influenced more by structural changes in agricultural production systems demanding higher performance, than by small shifts in rainfall totals.

Item #d92oct25

"Climate Models and Predicted Climate Changes in Relation to Agricultural Production," H. Brunnert (Bundesforsch Anstalt Landwirtschaft, Braunschweig Volkenrode, Inst. Product & Okotoxicol., Braunschweig, Ger.), Landbauforschung Volkenrode, 42(2), 65-73, 1992. In German. Examines the capabilities and flaws of present climate models, then compiles model predictions of climate factors important for agriculture: mean temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events.

Item #d92oct26

"Economic Implications of Global Climate Change for World Agriculture," J. Tobey (U.S. Econ. Res. Serv., Washington DC 20250), J. Reilly, S. Kane, J. Agric. Resour. Econ., 17(1), 195-204, July 1992.

Model results challenge the hypothesis that negative yield effects in key temperate grain-producing regions of the world would have a serious impact on world food production. Country and regional crop yield changes induce interregional adjustments in production and consumption that serve to buffer climate change impacts.

Item #d92oct27

"Temperature Effects on Rice at Elevated CO₂ Concentration," J.T. Baker (Dept. Agron., Univ. Florida, Gainesville FL 32611), L.H. Allen, K.J. Boote, J. Exper. Bot., 43(252), 959-964, July 1992.

Rice plants were grown season-long in outdoor, naturally sunlit, controlled-environment plant growth chambers in several temperature regimes. Results indicate that while increased CO₂ levels are likely to be beneficial to rice growth and yield, potentially large negative effects are possible if air temperatures also rise.