University of New Mexico, USA
Biology 576: Landscape Ecology & Macroscopic Dynamics

Planning Applications of ENSO Predictions


As scientists learn more about how ENSO affects biotic patterns, such as fire frequency and tree regeneration in forests, it seems clear that this knowledge should be applied towards planning natural resource and economic development planning.

For example, countries that have a large agricultural economic base can use ENSO predictions to encourage farmers to use plants with appropriate water use to coincide with the predicted amount of precipiation. Another example is to discourage reforestation when the Southern Oscillation Index and sea surface temperatures (See Predicting ENSO) indicate an impending La Niña.

The Environmental and Societeal Impacts Group (ESIG) has been holding a "usable science" series that looks specifically at climate teleconnections, such as ENSO to forecast impending weather-related problems and their impacts on, for example, food production.

ESIG has held workshops to consider the possible value ENSO predictions for food security and famine early warning systems in Africa with case studies from other regions such as Haiti, Uzbekistan, Brazil. ESIG has also held workshops that have also looked at impacts of ENSO in North America.



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Authors:

Rich Schrader, Community and Regional Planning Graduate Student, School of Architecture and Planning. Work done in Biology Department, University of New Mexico
  • e-mail address: res13131@la.unm.edu