Distribution of Date Palms in the Middle East Based on Future Climate Scenarios

Title
Distribution of Date Palms in the Middle East Based on Future Climate Scenarios
Publication Date
2015
Author(s)
Shabani, Farzin
Kumar, Lalit
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9205-756X
Email: lkumar@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:lkumar
Taylor, Subhashni
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1624-0901
Email: btaylo26@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:btaylo26
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1017/S001447971400026X
UNE publication id
une:17095
Abstract
One consequence of climate change is change in the phenology and distribution of plants, including the date palm ('Phoenix dactylifera' L.). Date palm, as a crop specifically adapted to arid conditions in desert oases and to very high temperatures, may be dramatically affected by climate changes. Some areas that are climatically suitable for date palm growth at the present time will become climatically unsuitable in the future, while other areas that are unsuitable under current climate will become suitable in the future. This study used CLIMEX to estimate potential date palm distribution under current and future climate scenarios using one emission scenario (A2) with two different global climate models (GCMs), CSIRO-Mk3.0 (CS) and MIROC-H (MR). The results of this study indicated that Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran are most affected countries as a result of climate change. In Saudi Arabia, 129 million ha (68%) of currently suitable area is projected to become unsuitable by 2100. However, this is based on climate modelling alone. The actual decrease in area may be much smaller when abiotic and other factors are taken into account. On the other hand, 13 million ha (33%) of currently unsuitable area is projected to become suitable by 2100 in Iran. Additionally, by 2050, Israel, Jordan and western Syria will become climatically more suitable. Cold and heat stresses will play a significant role in date palm distribution in the future. These results can inform strategic planning by government and agricultural organizations to identify areas for cultivation of this profitable crop in the future, and to address those areas that will need greater attention because they are becoming marginal regions for date palm cultivation.
Link
Citation
Experimental Agriculture, 51(2), p. 244-263
ISSN
1469-4441
0014-4797
Start page
244
End page
263

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