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Downscaled climate change impacts on reference evapotranspiration and rainfall deficits in Puerto Rico

  • University of Puerto Rico
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  • University of California at Berkeley

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and rainfall excess (rainfall - ETo) under climate change conditions for three locations in Puerto Rico: Adjuntas, Mayagüez and Lajas. Reference evapotranspiration was estimated by the Penman-Monteith method. Rainfall and temperature data were statistically downscaled from predictions obtained from the DOE/NCAR PCM global circulation model. The B1 (low), A2 (mid-high) and A1fi (high) emission scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emission Scenarios were evaluated. Results from the analysis indicate that the rainy season will become wetter and the dry season will become drier. The average estimated rainfall excess (i.e., rainfall - ETo > 0) for all scenarios and locations increased in September (the wettest month) to 356.4 mm for the year 2090 relative to an average rainfall excess of 149.8 mm for 2000. The average rainfall deficit (i.e., rainfall - ETo < 0) in February increased to - 72.1 mm for the year 2090 relative to an average rainfall deficit of -26.1 mm for 2000. The implications of these results suggest that additional water could be saved during the wet months, which would be needed to offset increased irrigation requirements during the dry months.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRestoring Our Natural Habitat - Proceedings of the 2007 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
ISBN (Print)9780784409275
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

Publication series

NameRestoring Our Natural Habitat - Proceedings of the 2007 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress

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