scholarly journals Impacts of Climate Change and Bioenergy Markets on the Profitability of Slash Pine Pulpwood Production in the Southeastern United States

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Susaeta ◽  
Pankaj Lal
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Forest Biomass ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

In this study, we assessed the impacts of climate change on the production of pulpwood and biomass for bioenergy, and the profitability of slash pine stands in the Southeastern United States. We employed the 3-PG (Physiological Processes Predicting Growth) model to determine the effects of future climates on forest growth and integrated it with a stand-level economic model to determine their impacts on optimal forest management. We found that the average production of pulpwood increased for all sites by 7.5 m3 ha−1 for all climatic scenarios and productivity conditions. In the case of forest biomass for bioenergy, the average increase was less than 1 Mg ha−1. Considering a payment for forest biomass for bioenergy of $4.2 per green Mg−1, the land expectation values (LEVs), on average, increased by $242.1 ha−1 under extreme climatic conditions and high productivity conditions. However, the increase in LEVs due to payments for biomass for bioenergy was small, accounting for $23 ha−1. We also found that the combined effect of increased site productivity and climate change reduced the optimal harvest age of slash pine. Our results confirm that emerging bioenergy markets coupled with changing climatic conditions can increase the economic returns for landowners.

scholarly journals Impacts of Climate Change on Economics of Forestry and Adaptation Strategies in the Southern United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Susaeta ◽  
Douglas R. Carter ◽  
Damian C. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Slash Pine ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Economic Returns ◽  
Salvage Rate

This article analyzes the impacts of different levels of forest productivity scenarios, disturbance risk, and salvageable rates resulting from climate change on the economics of loblolly pine in the southern United States. Potential adaptation strategies examined include reduction in planting density and use of slash pine instead of loblolly pine. Economic returns are most sensitive to changes in disturbance risk and productivity changes as compared with the salvage rate, planting density, or species selection. Loblolly pine with low planting density economically outperforms high-density loblolly pine. Slash pine is generally a less viable option compared with loblolly pine in most cases.

scholarly journals Modeling the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Hydrology of Selected Forested Wetlands in the Southeastern United States

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhu ◽  
Ge Sun ◽  
Wenhong Li ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Guofang Miao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Forested Wetlands ◽  
Wetland Hydrology ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Abstract. Riverine floodplains and coastal margins of the southeastern United States host extensive forested wetlands, providing myriad ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, groundwater recharge, and wildlife habitat. However, these ecosystems, which are closely dependent on wetland hydrology, are at risk due to human-made climate change. This study develops site-specific empirical hydrologic models for five forested wetlands with different characteristics by synthesizing long-term observed meteorological and hydrological data. These wetlands represent typical Cypress Ponds/Swamps, Carolina Bays, Pine Flatwoods, and Wet Pine, and natural Bottomland Hardwoods ecosystems. The validated empirical models are then applied at each wetland to predict future water table changes using climate projections from 20 General Circulation Models (GCMs) participating in the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5) under both Regional Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 greenhouse gas emission scenarios. We show that projected combined changes in precipitation and potential evapotranspiration would significantly alter wetland groundwater dynamics in the 21st century. Compared to the historical period, all five studied wetlands are predicted to become drier by the end of this century. The water table depth increases vary from 4 cm to 22 cm due to global warming. The large decrease in water availability (i.e., precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration) will cause a drop in the water table in all the five studied wetlands by the late 21st century. Among the five examined wetlands, the depression wetland in hot and humid Florida appears to be most sensitive to climate change. This modeling study provides quantitative information on the potential magnitude of wetland hydrological response to future climate change for typical forested wetlands in the southern U.S. Study results suggest that the ecosystem functions of southern forested wetlands will be substantially impacted by future climate change due to hydrological changes that are the key control to wetland biogeochemical cycles, vegetation distribution, fire regimes, and wildlife habitat. We conclude that climate change assessment on wetland forest ecosystems and adaptation management planning in the southeastern U.S. must first evaluate the impacts of climate change on wetland hydrology.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Olive Orchards under Climate Change: A Review of Future Impacts and Adaptation Strategies

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Helder Fraga ◽  
Marco Moriondo ◽  
Luisa Leolini ◽  
João A. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Projected Changes ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is an ancient traditional crop in the Mediterranean Basin. In the Mediterranean region, traditional olive orchards are distinguishable by their prevailing climatic conditions. Olive trees are indeed considered one of the most suitable and best-adapted species to the Mediterranean-type climate. However, new challenges are predicted to arise from climate change, threatening this traditional crop. The Mediterranean Basin is considered a climate change “hotspot,” as future projections hint at considerable warming and drying trends. Changes in olive tree suitability have already been reported over the last few decades. In this context, climate change may become particularly challenging for olive growers. The growing evidence for significant climate change in the upcoming decades urges adaptation measures to be taken. To effectively cope with the projected changes, both short and long-term adaptation strategies must be timely planned by the sector stakeholders and decision-makers to adapt for a warmer and dryer future. The current manuscript is devoted to illustrating the main impacts of climate change on olive tree cultivation in the Mediterranean Basin, by reviewing the most recent studies on this subject. Additionally, an analysis of possible adaptation strategies against the potentially negative impacts of climate change was also performed.

Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward Climate Change in the Southeastern United States

2014 ◽  
pp. 287-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Himmelfarb ◽  
John Schelhas ◽  
Sarah Hitchner ◽  
Cassandra Johnson Gaither ◽  
Katherine Dunbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Southeastern United States

SMALLHOLDER FARMER’S LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AS A RESPONSE TO CHANGED CLIMATIC PATTERNS IN CHONGWE DISTRICT, ZAMBIA.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mbewe Jacqueline ◽  
Kabwe Harnadih Mubanga
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Rainfall Variability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rainfall Patterns ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Purpose: Climate change affects local and global rainfall patterns and hence has a counter effect on smallholder agriculture. Impacts of climate change on agriculture are largely due to rainfall variability resulting in reduced yields due to crop-water stress and emergency of pathogens and diseases. In Zambia, climate change has been manifested through increased intensity of droughts and floods. These rainfall anomalies adversely affect agriculture and food systems. In order to survive the impacts of climate change and variability, smallholder farmers in Chongwe have adopted their livelihoods and farming systems to the new climatic patterns.Methodology: This study assessed how smallholder farmers in Chongwe District have adopted their livelihoods as a response to changed climatic conditions. It also investigated the perceptions of smallholder farmers as regards changes in aspects of their climatic conditions. Data collection involved a critical review of literature related to climate change and agriculture, observations, semi- structured interviews with 60 smallholder farmers and eight key informants. The data were analysed using multiple analysis techniques which included the descriptive statistics, One-way analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and the post-hoc Least Square Difference for pairwise comparisons of incomes from different livelihoods engaged in by smallholder farmers .The gendered comparisons of livelihood engagement was done using the chi-square test of association.Findings: The results showed that all farmers perceived occurrence of changes in climatic conditions in the light of changed rainfall patterns in that there has been uncertainty in onset of rains, short rainy season, more intermittent rainfall and increased frequency of intra-seasonal droughts. These changes have led to farmers to adopt such farming techniques as potholing in preference to oxen and tractor ploughing when farming is done on smaller pieces of land. There was a significant difference in the mean annual incomes generated from on-farm livelihoods (ZMW 3677.59; n=58) and off-farm livelihoods (ZMW 6840.91; n = 58) (p= 0.001). Farmers generated the highest income returns by engaging in casual work (ZMW 10307.69; n = 13) compared to every other livelihoods common in the area such as gardening (p=0.002), petty trade (p=0.002) and on-farm livelihoods (p=0.001).Contribution to policy, theory and practice: It was therefore concluded that diversification of income through diversified livelihoods would help smallholder farmers enhance their resilience in the face of changed climatic conditions. On-farm livelihoods should not always be the main income source for farmers as results indicated that farmers engaged in casual work generated higher incomes than those who depended on farming. It was recommended that policy direction should be towards introduction of a gender responsive credit facility that can help improve women’s engagement in off-farm income generating livelihoods, as well as encourage climate change resilience.

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