Climate effects on soil and water resources

An expected effect of global change is a change in precipitation patterns. Furthermore the change in atmospheric CO2 and temperature will have effect on evapotranspiration patterns. Hence, a change in the soil water regime is expected.

 

This in combination with changes in the temperature regime will lead to changes in the mineral weathering rates and biological mediated turnover processes in the soil.

 

In addition changes in cropping patterns, use of fertilizers, manure, pesticides, changes in soil properties (redox, pH, carbon contents, etc) and change of other land use variables will change loads and dynamics of nutrient and chemicals added to and leached from soils.

 

These changes will in turn strongly affect soil productivity, water percolation and leaching of nutrients, pesticides etc.

 

The main scientific objectives are:

 

1. To study the influence of climate changes on soil and water quality as well as and water availability for plant production.
2. To develop mathematical modelling for simulation of climate effects on soil water and plant production.
3. To produce basic understanding of the correlation between soil composition, food production and water environment in temperate and tropical/subtropical climates.

The impact studies are expected to open significant perspectives for studies of climate effects and derived factors on change in water percolation (groundwater recharge), carbon turnover including sequestration in soil, leaching of nutrients, pesticides etc. (ground and surface water quality).

 

www.viva.life.ku.dk/english is a climate project within the field of water resources.

 

Contact: Associate professor Peter E. Holm (peho@life.ku.dk)