Changes in soil moisture and increased temperatures could make some areas newly suitable for rainfed, non-irrigated agriculture, but others could lose viability, says a study published in the journal Nature by the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Findings for the temperate regions examined by this study indicate that many areas currently too cold for agriculture, particularly across Asia and North America, will likely become suitable for growing crops,” says the USGS. “However, some areas that are currently heavily cultivated, including regions of the United States such as the southern Great Plains, are likely to become less suitable for agriculture in the future.”
Likewise, dryland regions could see improved rainfed agriculture under climate change if they experience long stretches of moist soils and temperatures that don’t regularly exceed 93 degrees. “Even for relatively cool dryland areas, periods of high temperatures during the growing season can negatively affect agriculture suitability,” says the USGS.