Developing applicable climate science for agriculture and hydrological sectors in Argentina

MARÍA LAURA BETTOLLI; VANESA PÁNTANO; VANESA PÁNTANO; MARÍA MERCEDES POGGI; OLGA CLORINDA PENALBA; MARÍA MERCEDES POGGI; OLGA CLORINDA PENALBA; MARÍA LAURA BETTOLLI

Durham

Congreso; 21st International Congress of Biometeorology; 2017

Argentina,located in Southern South America, is a latitudinal extension country whichpresents different climates. The complexity of precipitation regimes is ofundeniable climatological interest, and an understanding of theircharacteristic features also has economic relevance. In a changing climate, itis highly valuable to understand possible future changes in both extremeevents. However, in order to put potential future changes in context, thepresent day must be first well understood. Rainfall extremes -excess anddeficit- were analysed. These extreme events are complex phenomena anddifferent in their genesis.  Even more, its impact on affected sector -agriculture and hydrology- is different. In this context, this researchanalyzes climatic indices (Standardized Precipitation Index, Standardized StreamflowIndex, Soil Hidryc Conditions,  Daily Intensity Extreme Rainfall, Long DrySequences) in order to know the frequency and magnitude of these phenomena andthe temporal and spatial variability. Then, the atmospheric circulation duringspecific extreme events is explored to determine regional and globalatmospheric-oceanic forcings. Finally, the projected changes were evaluated indrought(frequency, duration and severity); and in the main meteorologicalvariables involved in soil-atmosphere interaction, to evaluate the potentialimpact on soil hydric condition. One of the results, related to climate changeon main drought characteristics, is that the multi-model ensemble tends toproduce less number of droughts, with higher duration and lower severity.Therefore, the region can experience more frequent water shortages withsignificant economic losses if proper adaptation measures are not proposed. Thesestudies attempt to contribute in the knowledge and information about climateextreme events, variability, predictions and projections for managing weatherand climate risk in Argentina.