The area is one of the most productive agricultural areas in not only Mississippi, but in the entire country. However, the climate is changing and these changes could impact agricultural activities in the Mississippi Delta. Studying potential climate change and its effects on agriculture in the Mississippi Delta is important for several reasons.
In addition, farmers and other interests need to understand the consequences of potential climate change in the Delta. But the Mississippi Delta is known for some of the finest land in the United States for farming. Today, "The Mississippi Delta is one of the largest contiguous agricultural areas in the United States, with an area of more than 4 million acres" (Snipes, et. al. 2005).
The floods destroyed thousands of acres of cropland in the Mississippi Delta (and in many states, for that matter). Some of the major cities in the Delta included, Greenville, which had historically been the cultural and commercial hub of the Delta (Washington), Clarksdale (Coahoma), Cleveland (Bolivar), Greenwood (Leflore), Indianola (Sunflower), Tunica (Tunica) and Yazoo City (Yazoo). This region of the state also happens to be not only the poorest region of the state, but one of the poorest.
Another new development in the Delta is the construction of the Mississippi Blues Trail by former Governor Haley Barbour.
Temperature change since 1900 in the contiguous United States and in the world (Climate Change Indicators in the United States, Weather and Climate)
Record of daily high and low temperatures in the contiguous forty-eight states (Climate Change Indicators, Weather and Climate). Precipitation record since 1900 for the contiguous United States and the world (climate change indicators, weather and climate). According to the EPA: “The average length of the growing season in the lower 48 states has increased by about two weeks since the beginning of the 20th century.
Observed change in growing season length averaged over the contiguous United States from 1890 to the present (Climate Change Indicators, Society and Ecosystems). In the subtropical climate in which Mississippi is located, cotton requires more moisture due to the drier climate conditions. July seems to be an anomaly when it comes to temperature changes in the Upper Delta.
After reaching a maximum in the 1960s, there has been a slow but steady decline in observed long-term average precipitation trends. Similarly, a changing climate in the Mississippi Delta, as shown above, will place additional stress on livestock and aquaculture in the region. Precipitation and temperature trends in the Mississippi Delta should also be cause for alarm for water interests in the region.
Farmers have previously adapted to climate change in various ways, for example by changing their growing strategies and. Another reason why growing different crops should be considered as a result of climate change is that most agricultural experts emphasize the importance of crop diversity in the face of climate change. Most notably for the Mississippi Delta, this type of irrigation strategy has been very successful for staple crops in the Delta such as corn and cotton.
Many of the same findings were found with other crops grown in the Delta, such as cotton and soybeans. Much in the same way, these pieces of information collected can be viewed through the lens of potential changes occurring on the agricultural land as a result of the changing climate. Farmers in the Delta may have to be prepared to change their intended sowing dates due to the changing climate.
Much the same, the Mississippi Delta would greatly benefit from systems like this put in place to anticipate and adapt to the changes in precipitation patterns resulting from climate change. Overall, continuing to explore adaptation strategies should be of paramount importance to farmers, policy makers, and other interests in the Mississippi Delta.
SUMMARY
This will have to happen through a change in traditional farming practices such as changing irrigation strategies or becoming more flexible with the times they decide to sow. Farmers in the delta may be forced to change what crops they plant altogether in favor of crops more suited to the new climate they are experiencing. Farmers will also have to make choices about the amount and types of fertilizers, pesticides.
Additional emphasis must be placed by local, state and federal governments on improving infrastructure to adapt to changes in climate. More research should be done to genetically modify and/or breed crops that will be better able to handle the climate changes that will occur. Without this kind of research and development, crops will be slow to adapt and yields will be severely affected for farmers.
Although the costs of adapting to climate change seem large, the costs of not adapting to climate change can be significantly higher. It will also help to ensure that cash crop receipts are not too badly affected. It is vital that governments, farmers and policymakers work together on positive, optimal and responsible adaptation strategies that will help future generations of farmers, Mississippians and Americans.
Trends in the Upper Delta
Trends in the Lower Delta
