Climate, Agricultural, and Industry

Geog410 Applied Climatology

Agricultural has evolved into a highly technical field.Dramatic changes occurred in the 20th century: genetics, improved fertilizers, increased

disease resistance, and the substantial input of energy into farming methods has dramatically increased on productivity. However

The prevailing climate of a region still places distinct limitations on what crops can be grown and, in part, determining the hazards to which the crops are exposed.

Example: bananas will not grow in Wisconsin; Deciduous fruit trees will not fruit in tropics; Climate has impact on quality (protein content) of wheat. Highest protein content wheat is in wheat belts of North America and black-steppe area pf the former U.S.S. R (mid-lat grassland biomes of the world); But hazards for wheat are still problems: hailstones. Example: a single storm in Nebraska destroyed 3 million bushels of standing wheat.

Energy input: sunlight, fuel for tractors, food for the farm workersMonoculture:Pro: maximize the benefits of this energy supplant and obtain highest yield for all input.Con: it contrasts to climax ecosystem, where diversity is a key to the maintenance of the

systemExample: Boll Weevil problem in the cotton belt of southern USPotato famine of Ireland and Europe, 1840s (potato blight led to 2 million death).

Due to the weather-related risks in agricultural practices, some adaptations have been made to ease the vulnerability:

1. Risk spreading though insurance schemes and cooperative farming schemes

2. Environmental manipulation (irrigation and fertilization)

3. Managed diversification (crop rotation and dual-purpose livestock)

4. Modified farming system (modified crop calendar and improved storage)

Relocation of plants based on climate conditions

Banana is native to SE Asia, now spread into tropical America

Potato originated in America, now in EuropeSugar cane from SE Asia, now in tropical AmericaRubber trees from equatorial rainforest in Amazon basin,

now are in plantations in SE Asia.Relocation results in better yields:1. Native place, they are integral part of the environment,

thus susceptible to pests and the competition of other plants of that origin. Through transportation natural limiting factors are removed

2. Due to purpose of production, they are treated with special care and afforded much attention.

Extending climate limits

1. Frost protectionRadiation frost occursat local area; Advectionfrost is caused by cold airflowing into region and covers

a wider areas (cP air from North)

a. Plant way from cold valley (above inversion)

b. Heater to mix air c. Sprinkling and flooding

to increase thermal conductivity, reduce excessive cooling, supply latent heat

d. Brushing: cover up plants to reduce nighttime radiation loss

2. irrigation: water required by a plant to function at its maximum capacity (PE) design irrigation system using water budget.

Three areas need augmentation of precipitation:a. Perpetual drought (desert)b. Seasonally water deficitc. Periodic drought

Thornthwaite and Mather’s Water Budget Calculation

Rules:1. When P is larger than PE, excess water will go to

recharge soil moisture until it reaches the field capacity, then leftover will be runoff

2. When PE is larger than P, plants draw moisture from soil and the soil storage falls below capacity

3. Actual evapotranspiration (AE): If P>PE, AE=PEIf P<PE, AE=P+ absolute value of storage change4. Deficit occurs when AE<PE5. After deficit period, (when P becomes >PE), excessive

water will recharge soil to capacity before surplus (or runoff) occurs

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

T (°C) 0.5 0.7 5.5 11.3 17.1 21.8 24.2 23.4 20.0 13.8 7.5 1.7

PE 0 0 15 43 89 128 150 135 94 52 20 2

P (mm) 87 80 96 91 92 98 119 128 93 78 82 86

P-PE 87 80 81 48 3 -30 -31 -7 -1 26 62 84

Storage 150 150 150 150 150 122 99 94 93 119 150 150

Storage change

0 0 0 0 0 -28 -23 -5 -1 26 31 0

AE

Surplus

0

87

0

80

15

81

43

48

89

3

126

0

142

0

133

0

94

0

52

0

20

31

2

84

Deficit 0 0 0 0 0 2 8 2 0 0 0 0

Climatic water budget for Wilmington, DE (using handout soil moisture table)

Climate and Crop Yield: light, heat and moisture condition are the most important factors

Light(1)Photosynthesis: carbon+water+solar energy=hexose

sugar+oxygen (sun light determine the rate of photosynthsis)

(2) Photoperiodism: plants response to the length of the daylight hours

Long-day plants: flower only when daylight is greater than 14hours

Short-day plants: flower only when daylight is less than 14hours

Day-neutral plants: bud under any period of illuminationIntermediate plants: flower with 12 to 14 hours of daylight

but not outside these limits

(2) TemperatureTropical plants: 20-30C(68-86F)Mid-latitude plants: 15 to 20C (59-68F)Growing degree days (GDD): degrees accumulated above

a certain baseline (depending on plants)Sunflower and potatoes: 45F; corn and soybeans 50F;Agriclimatology

Industry and Climate

Primary industries: exploitation of raw materials and foodstuffs directly from the physical environment (agricultural, forestry, mining)

Secondary industries: utilize resources gained from primary activities for further processing (iron and steel work; foodstuff processing)

Tertiary industries: services, professional services, trading and tourism.Factors contribute to industry location: historical influence, provision of raw materials, availability of

fuel and power resources, supply of labor and market consideration.Climate impact may be hard to assess even it could be a major one (1) Historical influence of climateExample: aircraft industry in California. Early aircraft manufacturers are attracted to locations with

mild winter and light wind (flying weather) lower heating degree days.Movie industry in southern California: early cameras required natural light, sunny climate provide long

hours of outdoor shooting. Also, geographical diversity in topography, vegetation, landforms etc are convenient within driving distance.

(2) Climate impact raw materialLarge industrial processing plants appear where raw materials are found. Example: meat-packing

and grain-processing in American Midwest; location of pulp and paper mills in the forest belt of Canada.

(3) Climate impact on productionWest Africa is the major producer of cocoa. Western European countries are the main producers of

chocolate and related products. The hot, humid conditions of the production areas would necessitate high-cost facilities to stop chocolate products from melting; air-conditioned storage and shippig facilities are needed

(4) Climate impact on energy production:Hydroelectric power replies on sustained flow of water over a gradient. This is

most often achieve by construction of dams to create large lakes. Example: Hoover Dan over desert. Water comes from Lake Mead on the Colorado river, precipitation comes from Rockies. (precipitation)

Solar energy: passive solar collectors mounted on the roof, heat energy collected is transferred to home by circulating air or fluids through a pipe system and its often used for water heating. (Sunny region)

Wind Energy: has a long history. Sailing, windmills, wind-driven water pump, etc. Example: wind farms at Atamont Pass in CA has 7000 wind turbines and supplies 1% of California’s energy use. (large wind speed).

(5) Climate Attracts workersExample: rapid growth of the sun-belt states is indicative of the attractiveness

of a warm, almost winter-free environment.

(6) Climate impact on transportationAtmospheric condition for flight taking off, landing and flying condition. Icing, in-cloud turbulence,

optimum cruise latitude, above ground wind.Example: icing: formation of ice on lift-producing surfaces (wings, control surface propellers) so that

smooth flow of air over such airfoils is interrupted. It occurs in clouds temperature slightly above freezing to -20C (-4F) when super-cooled water droplet exist

In cumuliform clouds: formation of clear ice, heavier and more dangersIn stratiform clouds: rime ice (smaller)Turbulence: irregular motion of air over short distances in atmosphere. Example: downbursts or

microburst associated with Thunderstorms. (using Doppler Radar to detect)Clear-air turbulence: 9-13KM height associated with strong vertical wind sheers and two different air

masses on either side of the sheer (need to use microwave radar, optical or laser radar, and infrared sensors to detect

Fog in airports (using cloud seeding)Shipping: related to marine climate. Avoid violent storms at seas, heavy fogs cause ship accidents;

ice-free port for dock the ship. 32F line along 40N of Northwest U.S. In Sandinavia, located at 60N (affected by warm Atlantic ocean current)

Land transportations: snow, ice, fog, flowing dust, frost heave: ice grow in the form of lenses or veins inside soil, resulting surface raising (uneven surface).

FogsFog: suspension

of very small water droplets in the air the reduces visibility to less than 1KM (5/8th mile)

Clouds

Ocean Currents

Thunderstorms

Severe T-storms: ¾ inch hail and/or wind guests of 50knots. The storm is considered ended 15 minutes after the last thunder clap is heard.In dry climate, t-storms often occur without measurable precipitation

T-storm formation

Conditions:(1) Source of moist air and a mechanism to produce required uplift(2) A mechanism to initiate cumulonimbus cloud development (intense convective activity or forced uplift at fronts or squall lines

Squall line: a narrow band of active t-storm or instability line. Normally ahead of a cold front

Impact on TourismThe world’s fastest growing industry.

In some places, are the main source of national income. Example: Bahamas and Cayman islands (80%)

If not include cultural attraction (Paris, London, Religious Rome or Mecca), selection of a site to spend a vacation is most often weather related

Conditions1. Reliable weather at all time (Sun

and sands): Caribbean and Hawaiian islands; Canary Islands or the Riviera Coasts

2. A set of condition for specialized sports (mountain resorts of the Alps and Rockies depends on snow; wind for surfing in lakes or sea; longer playing season for golfing; hot-air ballooning, kite, hiking

3. Indoor stadiums (climate controlled environment). Super Bowl and college Bowl games are either indoor stadiums or sun-belt cities

Impact on commerceClimate affects business on malls or shopping centersRegional climate determines the demand for the type of goods sold,

weather conditions influences the day-to-day variations in spending

In large seasonal variation areas, stocks in store also change greatlyBoth good and bad weather can influence retail sales

Bad weather: prevent people from reaching stores (snow or people does not want get out of the house)

Heatwave: lead people spend extra time in shopping mall

Good weather: sunny, warm cause people enjoying weather by going to beach or working in their garden, les money is spent shopping

Insurance industry rely climate info to assess risk