Discussion on the Application of Ecoregions in Canada as Climate Divisions for NADM Indicators Ted O’Brien North American Drought Monitor (NADM) Workshop April 20, 2010 Asheville, NC

Swift Current, SK Kentville, NS Guelph, ON

Test Sites Swift Current, SaskatchewanGuelph, Ontario Kentville, Nova Scotia (Annapolis Valley)

Swift Current, SK Located in SW corner of Saskatchewan Semi-arid Prairie environment AAFC Semi-Arid Agricultural Research Centre Average Annual Precipitation ~350mm Dry-land Farming – predominately spring wheat Soils relatively homogeneous

Southwestern Saskatchewan Rural Municipalities (RM) and Crop Districts

Guelph, ON Located in central portion of southern Ontario Mixed Wooded – Farming Environment AAFC Food Research Program Average Annual Precipitation ~920mm Dry-land Farming – predominately corn and soybeans Soils variable Numerous reservoirs Abundance of shallow and deep groundwater

Kentville, NS Located in Annapolis Valley, Eastern Nova Scotia Maritime Environment AAFC Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre Average Annual Precipitation ~1210mm Irrigation Farming – predominately fruit and vegetable crops, 90% of the wheat grown in province grown in counties surrounding Kentville Soils highly variable