Effects of Climate Change on Regional Crop
Production in Eastern Pennsylvania
Ross,
Sunshyne T., and Mangan, Jennifer M., 2009 [abs]: Effects
of Climate Change on Regional Crop Production in Eastern
Pennsylvania, American Geophysical Union fall meeting (14-18
December 2009, San Francisco, CA) (abstract no. B23A-0350)
Regional climate changes can significantly
alter crop yields for agriculturally important areas. Berks County,
PA, is an agrarian community whose crop production is typical of
southeastern Pennsylvania, with corn as a major crop. Mean annual
temperatures in Pennsylvania are predicted to increase by 4 degrees
C and precipitation is expected to increase 5% by 2100. We examined
changes in 20th Century Berks County crop yields, particularly corn,
in response to yearly variations in temperature and precipitation.
Crop yields for corn are predicted by models to increase up to a 29
degrees C threshold, beyond which yields will significantly
decrease. This study quantifies the effects of recent climate change
on Berks County crop production and predicts potential changes for
the future. It is important to consider regional climate change
effects if we are to fully understand the impacts of global change
on food crop production. This study also incorporates anecdotal data
from farmers to note their perceptions of crop productivity as
related to environmental changes and to determine other factors that
may affect farming practices and crop yields.