Climate Change - A Quick Overview Eugene S. Takle Professor of Agricultural Meteorology, Department of Agronomy Professor of Atmospheric Science, Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences Iowa State University [email_address] Plant Science Institute Mini- Conference, 25 April 2008, Ames, IA

Source: Jerry Meehl, National Center for Atmospheric Research

Source: Jerry Meehl, National Center for Atmospheric Research Dawn of the Anthropocene?

Suitability Index for Rainfed Agriculture IPCC 2007

Suitability Index for Rainfed Agriculture IPCC 2007

Projected changes in precipitation between 1980-1999 and 2080-2099 for an energy-conserving scenario of greenhouse gas emissions IPCC 2007

Additional Possible Climate Change Influences Changes in seasonality (today is an example) Extreme events (Easter 2007 freeze) Impact of the mountain pine-bark beetle or protracted drought on carbon cycling Rises in absolute humidity Draw-down in irrigation water

Changes in seasonality (today is an example)

Extreme events (Easter 2007 freeze)

Impact of the mountain pine-bark beetle or protracted drought on carbon cycling

Rises in absolute humidity

Draw-down in irrigation water

Gu, et al, 2008: The 2007 eastern US spring freeze: Increased cold damage in a warming world? Bioscience 58 (3), 261-270. 2007 April Freeze Event

Gu, et al, 2008: The 2007 eastern US spring freeze: Increased cold damage in a warming world? Bioscience 58 (3), 261-270. 2007 April Freeze Event

Gu, et al, 2008: The 2007 eastern US spring freeze: Increased cold damage in a warming world? Bioscience 58 (3), 261-270. 2007 April Freeze Event

Gu, et al, 2008: The 2007 eastern US spring freeze: Increased cold damage in a warming world? Bioscience 58 (3), 261-270. 2007 April Freeze Event

Gu, et al, 2008: The 2007 eastern US spring freeze: Increased cold damage in a warming world? Bioscience 58 (3), 261-270. 2007 April Freeze Event