Crops

The effects of climate change on crop production will vary by region, and will largely be a factor of impacts on resources important to agricultural production, such as soil and water.

Soils provide a wide variety of ecosystem services, including regulating carbon through sequestration and providing a structure to support crop plants. Erosion of soil, the primary source for soil particles to leave agricultural fields, may increase in certain areas of the U.S. due to climate change. Some areas of the country will experience less rainfall, causing soils to dry out. Combined with higher winds, this may lead to higher rates of wind erosion. Other areas may experience more intensive rainstorms, which can increase erosion rates by washing out stream banks, for example. Other factors affecting soil erosion that may increase or decrease due to climate change include changing irrigation needs, snowmelt patterns, soil erodibility, conservation practices, and topography.

Continue to the full text Croplands in a Changing Climate or browse related content:

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As the climate changes, growing seasons in the Northeastern United States are getting longer. The fall and spring shoulder seasons are also getting shorter and more unpredictable. To address these shifts, the University of Rhode Island is conducting research and doing outreach…

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A changing climate introduces challenges for producers in the Northwest. The following resources can help farmers adjust their practices or even transform their operations to meet these challenges: AgBiz Logic and AgBiz Logic Climate AgBiz Logic uniquely collects, manages and…

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The mountains and oceans of this region produce a diversity of climates that support production of hundreds of commodities. The Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea provide for a substatial shellfish and seafood industry. Hay, grass seed and specialty crops dominate working lands west…

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The research below - North Central Fruit, Vegetable and Wine Growers’ Assessment of Soil and Water Vulnerability Under Changing Climate Conditions and Extreme Weather Events - has been funded by USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Midwest Climate Hub and conducted by…

Climate and Weather: Specialty Crop Growers' Views and Priorities to Manage Uncertainty in Production Systems

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Regional Assessments Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska 2014 Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska documents many of the key challenges that Nebraska will face as a result of climate change. Commentaries from…

Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska 2014

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Regional Assessments Colorado Climate Plan (2015) The Colorado Climate Plan is a statewide strategy of policy recommendations and actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to increase Colorado’s level of preparedness. The Colorado Climate Plan focuses on seven main…

Colorado Climate Plan 2015 Regional Assessment

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