Transcript Climate, Agricultural, and Industry - Cal State LA

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 workers
Monoculture:
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
system
Example: Boll Weevil problem in the cotton belt of southern US
Potato 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 Europe
Sugar cane from SE Asia, now in tropical America
Rubber 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 protection
Radiation frost occurs
at local area; Advection
frost is caused by cold air
flowing 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 deficit
c. 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=PE
If P<PE, AE=P+ absolute value of storage change
4. Deficit occurs when AE<PE
5. After deficit period, (when P becomes >PE), excessive
water will recharge soil to capacity before surplus (or
runoff) occurs
Climatic water budget for Wilmington, DE (using handout soil moisture table)
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
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 illumination
Intermediate plants: flower with 12 to 14 hours of daylight
but not outside these limits
(2) Temperature
Tropical 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 climate
Example: 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 material
Large 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 production
West 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 workers
Example: rapid growth of the sun-belt states is indicative of the attractiveness
of a warm, almost winter-free environment.
(6) Climate impact on transportation
Atmospheric 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 dangers
In 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).
Fog: suspension
of very small
water droplets
in the air the
reduces
visibility to less
than 1KM
(5/8th mile)
Fogs
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 Tourism
The 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
Conditions
1. 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 commerce
Climate affects business on malls or shopping centers
Regional 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 greatly
Both 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