The Potential for Future Crop Loss
On the subject of potential crop loss there are several variables, which influence drought and plant disease resulting in a loss of crops.
The first variable is that of drought. Drought is a result of shifting weather patterns, which changes the amount of precipitation an area receives. There are three major causes of drought, deficient and unfavorably distributed precipitation, excess heat and warm winds (Nemanishen, 1998, p.35). Historically the grasslands of North America have had a highly varied climate with years of drought immediately followed by years of sufficient precipitation. For example, in the area of the Palliser Triangle in the grasslands of Canada, wheat crop loss has been seen numerous times in history varying in severity depending on the weather patterns of the season. In drought years the wheat yield is particularly sensitive to low antecedent moisture reserves, below average rainfall in the crop growing season, and summer heat waves with hot, dry winds (Nemanishen, 1998, p.24). In consecutive drought years the precipitation deficit accumulates resulting in soil moisture depletion in the root systems (Nemanishen, 1998, p.26). The loss of soil moisture also leads to a lack of ground water recharge resulting in declines of runoff and stream flow making the crops particularly susceptible to wind erosion. Major droughts have reduced annual grassland rainfall fifteen to twenty-five percent and July and August average rainfall twenty-five to fifty percent. As a result of drought wheat crop production dropped twenty –five percent in North America (Borchert, 1971, pp10-11).
In order to avoid crop loss it is important for scientists and farmers to identify weather patterns ...
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...ast, it’s happening right now and it will happen in the future.
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The Great Basin of North America and Wyoming specifically, is known for its arid and semi-arid environment, as well as prolonged and sometimes severe droughts. Drought is the prolonged and abnormal deficiency of moisture with the concomitant decline in runoff to a level significantly lower than usual (Guldin 1989). The history of droughts in Wyoming has been uncertain in the past, but recent studies of tree rings in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming have given insight to droughts as far back as 1260A.D. (Gray et al. 2004). Looking at tree ring records in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and limber pine (Pinus flexilis) trees, Stephen Gray and his colleagues discovered that droughts which have been experienced in Wyoming since the 1750's, are weak in severity and length when compared to those since. The most severe drought period in Wyoming’s history occurred from 1262 to 1281. The droughts of the 1930’s and 1950’s, which have been used as benchmarks for all other droughts in the United States in recent times (Woodhouse et al. 2002), are ranked 149th and 28th respectively in comparison (Gray et al. 2004). The five top ranking droughts for 10, 15, and 20 year periods are all prior to the 1800’s, with the four driest single years being 1263, 1274, 1278, and 1280 (Gray et al. 2004). This indicates a change in precipitation patterns in the Big Horn Basin area of Wyoming since the 18th century, as all recent droughts have been mild when compared to those of Wyoming’s past.
For example, then, drought is difficult to define in modern standards, it is typically classified as a shortage of water, usually associated with a deficit of rainfall. That is, drought occurs when the demand or use for water exceeds the current supply of water. It follows, then, the Colorado river drought does not solely affect one area, it’s grandeur has affected the whole southwestern United States. Additionally, the Colorado River Basin Water Management: Evaluating and Adjusting to Hydroclimatic provides information on the meager volume of rain fall. In theory, then, combined with increased temperatures from global warming, and a deficient of rainfall both circumstances have had a descending effect on most surrounding
Second, long term and short term climate changes (e.g. global warming and El Nino) may lead to dryness. Global warming rises
The European settlers who first arrived at the Great Plains found hardy grasslands that held the fine-grained soil in place in spite of the long recurrent droughts and occasional torrential rains. A large number of the travelers settled down in this area and built farms and ranches. These land uses led to soil exposure and great erosion. The cattle ranches were very profitable for the settlers; unfortunately, this led to overgrazing and degradation of the soil. In addition, farmers began to plow the natural grass cover and plant their own crops. Without the original root systems of the grass to anchor the soil, much of it blew away. The wide row crops were very disastrous because between the crops, the land was kept bare; as a result, this area was exposed to the elements. Also, the nutrients in the soil were used up by the plants faster than they could be replaced. The soil had become exhausted.
Thesis: It is very important to know that California drought leaves many bad effects on our community and environment by causing the plants, animals, electricity, and we humans.
The water drought of the 1860’s led to the discovery of growing wheat without the need for irrigation. The crop was a phenomenal resource
These stresses cause similar reactions in plants due to water stress. These environmental concerns affect plants more than is commonly thought. For example, disease and insect loss typically decrease crop yields by less than ten percent, but severe environmental problems can be responsible for up to sixty-five percent reduction in yield (Serrano, 1999). There are global constraints on fresh water supplies, and this has led to a surge of interest in reusing water (Shannon and Grieve, 1999). However, in many cases the value of water has decreased because the water is salty.
Human lifestyles and prosperity suffer as the climate shifts says the article “Climate change’s effects plunder the planet,” published in the Environmental Defense Fund website. They state, our economic system, livelihoods, infrastructure, and health are much weaker, and the climate change is a main risk to agriculture. where, how, and when we grow food is vitally related to our climate's everyday styles. international, farmers are suffering to maintain up with transferring weather patterns and increasingly more unpredictable water sources. Farms are much more likely to face assaults from weeds, sicknesses and pests, which reduce yield.
The continent of Africa is home to over seven hundred million people. About half of these people do not get enough food to eat, partly due to low productivity on the farms, poor distribution networks and very little money for farmers to invest in improving their situations. This all contributes to the agricultural crisis going on in Africa.
Introduction Agriculture has changed tremendously, especially this 21st century after the end of World War II. As a result of population growth and world agricultural increase in food demand, productivity soared with the aid of new technologies, mechanization, increased synthetic chemical use, specialization and government policies that favored maximizing agricultural production. Although these changes have had positive effects and reduced many risks in farming, there have also been negative impacts. Prominent among these are like topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination as a result of land over use, decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm laborers, low wages for the laborers, increasing
Land use is defined as the use of land to fulfil human needs that covers a formal economic sense and broader function such as functional relationships among humans, and between humans and the environment (Lambin et al. 2003). Similarly, Land-use change includes either a change of an existing land-use category or a change in the intensity of an existing land use (Riebsame, Meyer, & Turner, 1994).
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines stewardship as "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted in one's care" (Merriam-Webster, 2015). Sustainable agriculture is a method that does not deplete soil, water, air, wildlife or human community resources ("Community Alliance with," 1997). These two principles describe a type of farming that practices responsible management of the land in a way that does not deplete natural resources or the human community. We are living in a time when many environmental issues have come up due to such things as overpopulation, increased waste production, over consumption, depletion of natural resources and other activities that do not replenish the land. We must show great concern in dealing with these problems. Farming is clearly a key element in sustaining life as we know it, but it can also have devastating affects on the land. "Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance" (Feenstra). So, by managing resources under our care responsibly and practicing methods that do not deplete natural and human resources, we can meet current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. The idea of taking care of things for future generations is of prime importance in dealing with all issues that lead to compromising our environment. Farming is one activity that can lead to the depletion of soil, water, air, wildlife and quality of human community resources. Alternatives to conventional farming methods are present and do have th...
Larsen, Janet. 2012. Heat and Drought Ravage U.S Crop Prospects - Global Stocks Suffer. Available at: http://www.earth-policy.org/data_highlights/2012/highlights30 (11 March 2014)
Keeping off, the weather is impossible. Weather forecasting is the one branch of skill that virtually everyone uses on an everyday basis. Whether one holds the forecast in the break of the day, afternoon, or night, knowing the atmospheric conditions enables us to set up for the character of weather we will be confronting. Forecasting the climate has been exercised since the outset of time with more or less accuracy. Historical beliefs show numerous examples of weather predicting methods based on observing surrounding elements. Although meteorologists observations aren’t always precise; having little knowledge about what may happen is better than none. However, forecast transitioning is steadily changing from biblical beliefs, philosophical opinions, observations, and evolving technology which helps meteorologists to stay a few more days ahead.
The biggest issue that a farmer in the California Central Valley has to deal with is water. The obstacle has become more pronounced as the years go on. Drought is a large shadow that constantly hangs over the life of a farmer. Will there be enough winter and spring storms to keep the supply boosted? Will there be more regulations this year for the amount of water used? Few people understand that Agriculture in the Valley is a necessity and that without it the price of food will go up and the perfect farm land will be put to waste with a new development coming in. The economics of the Valley’s agriculture is essential to learn and understand. If the farmers are not able to consume the necessary amount of water to have a successful output then everyone will suffer.