Liu, Shuyan and Liang, Xin-Zhong, University of
Maryland, Wei Gao, USDA-UVB Monitoring and Research Program, Natural Resource
Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University
Distribution and
adaptation of 968 crops is simulated by a coupling system of CWRF (Climate
extension of the WRF) and a common crop distribution-adaptation-suitability
model (CDAS). The coupling system is developed based on the crops requirements
of soil (texture, pH, drainage) and climate (temperature, precipitation,
growing season length, minimum winter temperature), validated by the
established crops (maize, soybean, wheat, cotton) distribution, harvest and
yield. The model consists of two basic components. The first component includes
the procedures to evaluate the individual soil and climate variables
suitability by comparing local conditions to crop requirements. The second
component combines the soil and climate suitability scores into an overall suitability
score that has both a quantitative (numerical value) and qualitative
description. The initial results of suitability maps for maize and soybean show
good agreement with corresponding USDA distribution data. This indicates the
CWRF-CDAS coupling system has the ability to predict crop distribution and
adaptation under future climate change.