seahorse wrote:Steam Cannon, from the few maps I've seen on predicted climate changes, it shows rainfall increasing here in the north part of Arkansas and Missouri. I haven't followed that issue very much though.
Yeah, the short term outlook may mean more rain and Arkansas has seen more rain. But higher average temperatures also means faster evaporation, worse dry spells and drought. So precipitation is only half of the story. There will be states that will be worse off, but from what I've read I don't want to invest my efforts into this area.
Here are a few links...[spoil]
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Precipitation VS EvaporationThis map shows increases in precipitation near Arkansas. But global warming is also bringing higher evaporation rates.
Increases precipitation may not do much good in the face of persistently higher evaporation.Hay shortage squeezes horse owners (2007)
"There's no hay because of last summer's drought and most of our excess hay went to Texas, where they've been in a two-year drought."
http://deltafarmpress.com/mag/farming_h ... _squeezes/So even though the above chart shows increases precipitation for Texas, it seems it hasn't been enough to offset their drought problems causing shortages in things like hay.
"David Stahle, professor of geosciences who teaches a seminar on global change, said scientists are currently unable to determine which parts of the United States will increase or decrease in yearly rates of precipitation. However, there is evidence to support an overall trend of
increasing precipitation, (increasing) evaporation, more intense rainstorms
and drier soils."
http://tinyurl.com/38qmbt"Arkansas sportsmen also said they have seen evidence of global warming in the state, including warmer and shorter winters,
hotter summers, prolonged droughts and a decline of wetlands and migratory birds in the winter, including ducks."
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/200 ... 36149.htmlIf scientists are correct, you can expect average temperatures to rise in Arkansas. There will be more very hot days in summer, and winters will be milder. Scientists aren’t sure if the warmer conditions will result in more or less rain,
but most models predict Arkansas will have more rain, with most of this increase happening in the summer. (This is good news for Arkansas)
Although Arkansas has a lot of groundwater and surface water in its rivers and streams, the agricultural areas in the eastern part of the state have taken much of the groundwater there for crops. In some places saltwater in the earth seeps into the fresh groundwater if the groundwater level gets too low.
If conditions become warmer, even lower groundwater levels could result. Also, less water could enter the state in the spring and summer, when farmers need it most, from its sources out of state. (This isn't good news)
(And the following is an interesting opinion...)Farmers may have a difficult time adjusting to climate variability. Increased temperatures during the growing season may not favor many of the plants that farmers have been growing for years. Unless Arkansas farmers can find new crops to grow and sell, they may have a difficult time staying in the business of agriculture. Global warming will significantly affect Arkansas’ overall economy and the livelihoods of the thousands of Arkansans in agriculture and related businesses.
PDF:
http://tinyurl.com/2supex
Arkansas and climate change"
The frequency of extreme hot days in summer is expected to increase along with the general warming trend. ."
http://www.nextgenerationearth.org/contents/view/12On average, Midwest precipitation over the 20th century has increased. The Hadley model indicates that this trend will continue, resulting in increases of about 25% from the present. The Canadian model suggests that these increases will be confined to the northern and western parts of the region.
http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/na ... idwest.htm
Depending on the model, increased precipitation may tend to stray north and avoid your area, but there is presently uncertainty in knowing the extent and distribution of precipitation based on these models. But I believe the Canadian models have it right.
Historically, periods of higher ocean temperatures has resulted in drought conditions this area...
Mid-Holocene Droughts
This link has an excellent online simulator where you can look up probable changes in temperature and precipitation over time...
Climate Change: "projections for various regions in the US"
http://www.cics.uvic.ca/scenarios/data/select.cgi#map
These maps suggest a softer landing for the coasts.
A little bit farther west drought is certainly going to be a problem.
Scientists predict Southwest mega-drought (starting now)
"The consensus of the models was that climate in the southwestern United States and parts of northern Mexico began a transition to drier conditions late in the 20th century and is continuing the trend in this century"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17967097/
http://groovygreen.com/groove/?p=1240
An interesting scenario that came out two years ago...
America’s Breadbasket Moves to Canada (2006 Article)
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/1 ... to-canada/
Warmer Earth may slash farm yields
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16042134/
A slightly cheesy looking compilation of data...
Long Range Patterns of Drought/Flood Zones (NOAA Storm Track Data)
http://tinyurl.com/3dp9ox
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How fast will climate change take?
How fast these factors become important depends on the speed of climate change. While I was there we were moving into a pattern of regular droughts, regular fire bands and hay shortages.
Climate Change “Three Times Faster Than Worst Predictions”(2007 Article)
by the US National Academy of Sciences
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06 ... faster.php
Global Dimming and extreme climate change
"But perhaps the most alarming aspect of global dimming is that it may have led scientists to underestimate the true power of the greenhouse effect."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4171591.stm
Global warming...more dramatic?
http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic30534-0-asc-0.html
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In summary: For the next couple years Arkansas will do well economically due to increasing grain prices. But 10 to 20 years latter farmers will be feeling very stressed to produce grains due to average higher temperatures, heat waves causing problems with evaporation and drought. Just a few thoughts...
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