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Global climate change and agricultural productivity in southern Africa
Author
Schulze, Roland E
Kiker, Gregory A
Kunz, Richard P
Publisher
Global Environmental Change
Publication Year
1993
Body

An analysis tool was developed to simulate primary productivity and crop yields for both present and possible future climate conditions. Southern Africa was delineated into 712 relatively homogeneous climate zones, each with specific climate, soil and vegetation response information. The primary productivity and crop yield models were linked with the climate zones via a cellbased agrohydrologlcal model, with the final output coordinated using a Geographic Information System. The results of this preliminary study show a large dependence of production and crop yield on the intra-seasonal and inter-annual variation of rainfall. The most Important conclusion from the study is the readiness of the developed tool and associated infrastructure for future analysis into social, technological and political responses to food security in southern Africa.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Journal Volume
3
Journal Number
4
Journal Pages
330-349
Collection
Southern Africa Collection
Journal Name
Global Environmental Change
Keywords
plant production
agriculture
climate change
soil
vegetation dynamics
hydrology
modelling
GIS
rainfall
socio-economic aspects
policies
food security
Africa