Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
reflects as gradual bug significant receding of Himalayan glaciers. These
changes in climate will inevitably interact with changes in glaciers and
glacial lakes. Results also show that the recession rate has increased with
rising temperature. A forecast was made that up to a quarter of the global
mountain glacier mass could disappear by 2050 and up to half could be
lost by 2100 (Oerlemans, 1994; IPCC, 1996). This is very alarming fore-
cast in respect of the existence of the Himalayan Rivers.
19.2.3 UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL
The uneven distribution of rainfall patterns negatively impacts Indian ag-
riculture since agriculture systems have developed cropping patterns de-
pendent on regional weather conditions. The different agro climatic zone
of India receives different amount of rainfall and this precipitation pattern
is changing with wet years becoming wetter and dry years become drier.
The growth and development of crops is also affected by rainfall variabil-
ity. This change could result in a greater number of heavy rainfall events
a decrease in the overall number of rainy days, and longer gaps between
rains, as well as increased rate of evapo-transpiration. This would disturb
established cropping patterns. Heavy rainfall combined with a decrease
in the total number of rainy days is apparent in major part of India. Sig-
nificant variability in annual rainfall is also noticed in form of frequent
occurrence of droughts and floods. These changes impose several biotic
and abiotic stresses on fauna and flora of the ecosystem and changing their
occurrence, frequency and distribution. They are also affecting the emer-
gence and spread of pathogens which affect crop yields. Spatio-temporal
variations in projected changes in temperature and rainfall are likely to
lead to differential impacts in the different regions of India (Prince et al.,
2006).
19.2.3.1
EXCESS RAINFALL
Changes in the rainfall pattern and frequent occurrence of intense weather
events imposed occurrence of frequent floods. Flooding associated with
heavy rain events can also damage crops (Wassmann, 2007). Extreme
rainfall events will impact agriculture in tropical areas which is already
vulnerable to floods and environmental hazards such as drought, cyclones,
