Vulnerability of maize yields to climate change in different farming sectors in Zimbabwe
- Plant Protection Research Inst., Causeway (Zimbabwe)
- Inst. Nacional de Investigacion Tecnologia, Madrid (Spain). Centre de Investigacion Forestal
The possible impact of climate change on maize (Zea mays L.) production in Zimbabwe was evaluated simulating crop production under climate scenarios generated by global climate models (GCMs). The baseline climate data for each site also was modified by increasing daily air temperatures by 2 and 4 C for a sensitivity analysis. Temperature increases of 2 and 4 C, reduced maize yields at all sites. Maize yields also decreased under the GCM climate change scenarios, even when the direct beneficial effects of CO{sub 2} are included in the simulation. Major changes in the farming system can compensate for some of the yield decreases under climate change, but the additional fertilizer, seed supplies, and irrigation required could be costly. The semi-extensive farming zone seems to be particularly sensitive to the changes in climate simulated. Farmers in this zone would be further marginalized if the risk of low maize yields increases as projected by the results of this study.
- OSTI ID:
- 248055
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9211217-; ISBN 0-89118-126-1; TRN: IM9628%%155
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1992 annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Minneapolis, MN (United States), 1-6 Nov 1992; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Climate change and agriculture: Analysis of potential international impacts; PB: 399 p.; ASA special publication, Number 59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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