Mapping the Shifting Agroclimatic Parameters and Agricultural Regions of North America, A.D William A. Dando Indiana State University Bharath Ganesh-Babu Valparaiso University

Climate and Agriculture Agriculture is the most important primary economic activity Agriculture is the primary economic activity most dependent on climate

Climate Change and Variation: Potential Impact in North America, A.D (Causes) Astronomical Changes Atmospheric composition and transparency changes Natural earth surface changes Human-induced earth surface changes

Possible Impact of Climate Change on North American Agriculture (Heat) Temperature will increase at a minimum of 3 to 6 degrees F Minimum temperatures will increase dramatically Permafrost melt will shift the southern boundary of permanently frozen ground 350 miles north Ice in the arctic will be reduced by 85 percent

Possible Impact of Climate Change on North American Agriculture (Moisture) Droughts in all climate regions will be more frequent Arid climate regions will expand in size Precipitation in A, C, and D climates will increase by 3 percent Sea levels will rise at a minimum 15 inches

Possible Impact of Climate Change on North American Agriculture (Storms) Violent rainstorms and tornadoes will be more frequent Hurricanes will be more violent and penetrate farther into the North American continent Winds will increase in speed and intensity Dust storm will be more frequent and be more intense

Postulated Major Agricultural Regions of North America, A.D Specialty Crops Mediterranean Agriculture Corn, Beans, and Livestock Mixed Farming Dairy, Fruit, and Small Grains Plantation Agriculture Wheat and Small Grains Non-Agricultural Areas Range Livestock Ranching

Summary: A New Era for American Agriculture There will be a shift in agricultural regions and a change in crop combinations Yields and productivity will increase International demands for food will increase farm income North America will experience a new era of agricultural innovation and adjustment and rural prosperity.

Reminder and Warning Prediction of future climates and future agricultural regions is highly speculative