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 AJCC  Vol.3 No.2 , June 2014
Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Wheat and Corn Production in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Maria Pol, Jacqueline Binyamin*
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Abstract: From the Global Historical Climate Network (GHCN-V3), monthly mean summer (DJF) temperature (1856-2012) and total precipitation (1861-2012) are analyzed in correlation with four climate modes and sunspot number to better understand the role of teleconnections on Buenos Aires’ (Argentina) climate. A general increase in temperature and precipitation was observed. Temperature has increased by about 1.8°C and precipitation has increased by about 300 mm in the past century and a half. Indices of Arctic Oscillation (AO), Pacific North American (PNA), Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are evaluated to study their effects on wheat and corn production and export. AO and PNA show strong relationships with precipitation and temperature received. AAO and ENSO show strong negative correlations with precipitation patterns and weak correlations with temperature. Sunspot Number shows a positive correlation with temperature. ENSO phases are strongly linked with the wheat and corn production and export; during El Nino Buenos Aires tends to experience extremely wet summer weather, causing soggy fields and extremely dry summer weather during La Nina causing drought. Both of these conditions result in reducing wheat and corn production and export.
Keywords: Climate Change of Buenos Aires, Teleconnections, PNA, AO, Sunspot Number, AAO, ENSO, Wheat, Corn Production and Export
Cite this paper: Pol, M. and Binyamin, J. (2014) Impact of Climate Change and Variability on Wheat and Corn Production in Buenos Aires, Argentina. American Journal of Climate Change, 3, 145-152. doi: 10.4236/ajcc.2014.32013.
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