Oct
19
2009
cdc25
Program or topic
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Department(s) or unit(s)
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Contact information
Lee Tryhorn
Postdoctoral Associate
lmt72@cornell.edu
Brief Description
My research seeks to identify areas in New York State that are threatened by climate change and develop adaptation strategies to mitigate climate-related impacts. I utilize participatory research methods that embody a “bottom-up” approach that focuses on communities of place and attend particularly to issues of context (that is, the specific attributes, vulnerabilities, strategies and values of the community in question).
Developing a “one size fits all” climate change adaptation policy for an entire nation is an impossibly large and complex task. However, using the context of a community of place (e.g. a town) or a community of interest (e.g. an industry sector) can constrain the problem.
The gap between information that is needed to act locally and current globally generated knowledge about climate change is increasingly recognized as an important barrier to progress in adaptation. Despite this acknowledgment, there has been a lack of practical solutions and advice on adaptation for communities and decision-makers. This research attempts to address this gap between scientific information and policy and practice.
The ultimate goal is to enable decision-makers, such as community water supply managers and fruit crop farmers, to make more informed, robust decisions on adaptation in the face of large uncertainties. In the short term, this research aims to reduce the impact of extreme events and climate variability, and in the longer term, support and enhance policy-making.
Current projects include:
- ClimAID – New York State’s Climate Change Adaptation Assessment
- Linking Climate Science with Policy and Practice to fulfill the needs of Community Water Managers in the Northeastern United States
- Assessing Climate Change Risk to Fruit Crops in New York State
For more information
Lee Tryhorn
lmt72@cornell.edu
Apr
09
2009
cdc25
Program or topic
Melkonian Program: Simulating soil nutrient dynamics
Department(s) or unit(s)
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Contact information
Jeffrey Melkonian
Senior Research Associate, Crop and Soil Science
(607)227-9172
jjm11@cornell.edu
Program goals
Application of simulation modeling to better understand how climate change will impact nutrient dynamics in agricultural systems.
Brief Description
Soil nitrogen (N) availability is one of the main factors limiting crop production in many agricultural systems. The application of N fertilizers (both mineral and organic) are critical to increase crop yields. However, these fertilizers are often used inefficiently and N losses associated with the use of these fertilizers have contributed to the deterioration of water quality worldwide. In addition, the possible impacts of climate change on N losses associated with agricultural production are not well understood. Dynamic simulation models of the soil/crop/atmosphere system are tools that can be used to assess N losses associated with crop production, identify possible management alternatives to improve N use efficiency in crop production and provide insight into the impact of future climate on agricultural N use and N losses. Melkonian is investigating the role of N and water in crop and soil systems by applying dynamic simulation modeling combined with field ex. Goals of Melkonian’s research include assessing the yield potential of different land use categories (e.g., current crop land, marginal or underused land) for crops, including bioenergy crops, testing alternative strategies for nutrient and water management in agriculture to reduce negative environmental impacts, using dynamic simulation modeling to investigate yield gaps in crop production and using dynamic simulation models of the soil/plant/atmosphere continuum to design more targeted and fruitful experimental strategies.
Such models are leading to the development of tools such as Adapt-N, which helps farmers determine the most efficient nitrogen fertilizer sidedress rate for corn. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, the Northeast Regional Climatic Center, and the Center for Advanced Computing, Adapt-N accounts for changes in soil N due to early season weather and adjusts the in-season N recommendations accordingly.
For more information
Websites:
Key publications:
- Melkonian, J., H.M. van Es, A. DeGaetano, J. Sogbedji, L. Joseph. 2007. Application of dynamic simulation modeling for nitrogen management in maize. Managing Crop Nitrogen for Weather (Proceedings of the 2006 SSSA Symposium “Integrating Weather Variability into Nitrogen Recommendations”). International Plant Nutrition Institute. (In publication)
- Melkonian, J., S. J. Riha, J. Robin and E. Levine. 2007. Comparisons of measured stream flow with drainage and runoff simulated by a soil-vegetation-atmosphere transport model parameterized with GLOBE student data. Journal of Hydrology. 333:214-225.
Apr
08
2009
cdc25
Program or topic
Climate change impacts on agricultural and natural ecosystems
Department(s) or unit(s)
- Department of Horticulture
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Contact information
David Wolfe
Professor, Horticulture
(607)255-7888
dww5@cornell.edu
Program goals
To examine plant responses to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change, and the impact this may have on natural and managed ecosystems, and regional and global food supplies.
Brief description
For the last 20 years, David Wolfe and other Cornell researchers have been gathering evidence of climate change, its impact on plants and ecosystems, and developing adaptation strategies. The Cornell group has been directly involved in both regional and national assessment efforts, and Wolfe’s research documenting earlier spring flowering in the northeast was cited in the most recent (2007) United Nations intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) report. Other aspects of Wolfe’s research include: the effects of reduced snow cover in the northeast on winter soil temperatures affecting nitrogen cycling and retention; effects of rising carbon dioxide and heat stress on growth of weeds and crops; projected shifts in insect pest ranges in response to climate change; and soil management to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Collectively, this interdisciplinary work provides information for land managers and policy-makers on how climate change affects agricultural and natural ecosystems, and identifies management practices to adapt to a changing climate and help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information
Websites:
Key publications:
- Creating a Role for Agriculture and Forestry in Emerging Carbon Markets, white paper (PDF)
- The Role of Agriculture and Forestry in Emerging Carbon Markets, presentation (PDF)
- Wolfe, DW, L Ziska, C Petzoldt, A Seaman, L Chase, K Hayhoe. 2008. Projected change in climate thresholds in the Northeastern U.S.: Implications for crops, pests, livestock, and farmers. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 13: 555-575.
- Hayhoe, K, C Wake, T Huntington, L Luo, M Schwartz, J Sheffield, E Wood, B Anderson, J Bradbury, A Degaetano, T Troy, D Wolfe. 2007. Past and future changes in climate and hydrological indicators in the U.S. Northeast. Climate Dynamics 28(4): 381-407.
- Hatfield, JL, KJ Boote, BA Kimball, DW Wolfe, DR Ort, RC Izaurralde, AM Thomson, JA Morgan, HW Polley, PA Fay, TL Mader, GL Hahn. 2008. Agriculture. IN: The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity. A Report by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. Washington D.C. Chapter 2.
- Bento A., D Wolfe. 2009. Creating a role for agriculture and forestry in emerging carbon markets. Cornell Policy Brief (presented to House and Senate in November, 2009). 6. pp..