Presenters:Seymour A. Webster, Ph.D.

Adrian Spence ,Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION Regional and sub-regional climatology Jamaica’s vulnerability and sensitivity to hydro-

meteorological conditions is a function of its location, topography, size and geographical outlay.

Generally speaking, the climate in Jamaica is somewhat similar to that of the Caribbean– wet summers and dry winters

Socio-economic activities and every-day activities are to a large extent determined by exogenous climatic variability and to a lesser extent by endogenous factors, which are themselves influenced by exogenous forces.

The strong influence of exogenous climatic events are responsible for the variability in climatology Jamaica

These events—ENSO—general result in volatile and erratic weather systems, which may have devastating effects on climate-sensitive sectors; such as:

Agriculture and fisheries Tourism Water & natural environment Health and wellness sector

Historically, the rainy season in Jamaica is characterized by a bimodal distribution due to an intervening drought in July (mid-summer drought).

(3)

0

50

100

150

mm

24252627282930

Celsius

NAH moves closer to equatorStronger tradesLow SSTMid-lat fronts

NAH starts Northward migrationWeaker tradesSST begins to increase

NAH temporarily retreats Southward‘Mid-Summer Drought’

NAH return NorthwardHigh SSTEasterly wavesITCZ North

J amaica

Climatology (Bar graph – precip, line graph – temp)

Air Temp follows the sun

Chen and Taylor,2008

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DROUGHT EVENTS ON JAMAICA

During the decade of the90s and from 2010 to 2015 Jamaica has experienced some of the worst droughts in terms of intensity and socio-economic impact on the agriculture sector.

In 1996 into 1998 losses due to drought was estimated at US$ 8 M(Agriculture impacted the worst)

Between October 1999 to March 2000, crop losses due to drought was estimated at US$ 6 Million.

In 2012/2013 the Jamaican economy was denied an estimated 1.0 percent of GDP.

In 2014, an estimated 21900 hectares of crops—food, ornamental, and pastures—at a value of 953.5 million, were affected by the drought (Jamaica Information Service, August 29, 2014).

Need for developing drought- Need for developing drought- tolerant soilstolerant soils

Rainwater harvesting & inventory

Irrigated VS rain-fed dependent agriculture

75 to 80 per cent of harvested or abstracted used in agriculture

High consumptive useFC is transient and has to

be replenishedFC variable with soil

structure and texture Rainwater harvesting &

storage systems for agriculture, developing at a slow pace

Only 10 per cent of irrigable cultivated lands is irrigated

Possibility of salt intrusion Topography limiting factor Production and productivity

largely dependent on prevailing weather condition

Sector is vulnerable to the impact of agricultural droughts

Food and nutrition insecurity

SPATIAL MAPPING OF MAJOR SOIL ORDERS AND CROP SUITABILITY OF

JAMAICA

M isce lla ne ou s

S o il O rde r

H is to so lIncep tiso lVert iso lM o llis o l

O x iso lE n tis o l

U ltis o l

N

18°

18°30'

78° 77°

0 5 0

K i lo m e t re s

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR CSA

Monitoring systems and Early warning signsCrop diversification Protected agricultureIncrease use of irrigation Drought-tolerant soil

SOI and SOM Synthetic Soil Polymers

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOMGlobally, SOM contains ~4 x more carbon than is present in

all the world’s vegetation and 3 x more than the atmosphere. SOM plays a critical role in global carbon balance – major

factor affecting global warming(greenhouse effect) Influences the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil

SOM is a complex and varied mixture of organic substances Responsible for much of the CEC and WHC of surface soils Stabilization of soil aggregates Contains large quantities of plant nutrients – esp. N. Supplies energy and body building substances to many soil

microorganisms

Lehmann & Kleber, 2016

STABILIZATION OF SOI

SOM: LIFE-BLOOD OF MINERAL SOILSEncourages aggregation and pore space

differentiation Increases WHC & PAWC of soilsFor every one per cent increase in SOM, PAW

increases by 0.44, 0.36, and 0.26 inch per foot soil depth for : loam, silty clay-loam, and sandy soil, respectively.

Reduce frequency of irrigation– cost implicationReduce soil erosion Encourages proliferation of beneficial soil

microbes(soil health)Carbon sequestration

Relationship between water potential and water availability to plants

WAY FORWARDEducation and training on sustaining and

restoring drought-tolerant soilsIncreasing drought monitoring systems and

early warning signs Encourage greater use of organic matter inputs Improving carbon sequestration through smart

land-use practices Improve water harvesting systemsSoil conservation and watershed management

Thank You!