Climatic Variability and its Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

Principle Investigator D.J. (Dave) Sauchyn, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Geography Research Assistants Ryan Bayne, B.Sc. Lowell Strauss, B.Sc., M.Sc. candidate

Sponsors Agri-Food Innovation Fund Environment Canada - Science Horizons

Project Objective

The project objective is to reconstruct 500 years of annual climate from trees in the Cypress and Sweetgrass Hills and apply these data to a better understanding of climatic variability in the southern prairies. Reconstructed precipitation data will be delivered to PFRA and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) for the planning of a sustainable and diversified agricultural economy. These data also will be made available to interested farmers and ranchers. The database will include information on the frequency and severity of specific growing-season conditions, such as unusually dry or wet years and normal precipitation. With an extended perspective on climate, we can forecast the probability that future climatic variability in a particular region will suit certain crops and land/water uses and management practices. Further interpretation and application will involve collaboration with agricultural specialists from PFRA, SAF and industry, adding further value to our climatic database and contributing to the adaptation of agriculture to climatic variability.