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The activities of the German Weather Service (DWD) in the field of agroclimatology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2007

H. Friesland  and
F.-J. Löpmeier
H. Friesland
Affiliation:
Deutscher Wetterdienst, Agrarmeteorologische Forschung, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Email: [email protected], [email protected]
F.-J. Löpmeier
Affiliation:
Deutscher Wetterdienst, Agrarmeteorologische Forschung, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany Email: [email protected], [email protected]
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Abstract

Agroclimatology represents the link between several agrometeorological fields and climatological applications. The German Weather Service (DWD) uses data from many meteorological stations for 40-year calculations by agrometeorological models. The topics extend from microclimatic elements over the wide field of soil conditions and water content, agricultural operations and product quality to forest fires and plant pests. Analyses of agroclimatic output allow for better planning, risk assessment, objective evaluation of the current situation and even for a test of the models used. Current applications concern crop microclimate, including soil, evapotranspiration and volatilisation, plant protection, phenology and product quality, with examples such as the frequency of extreme soil frost, optimum harvest conditions, plant water stress on different soils, and the frequency of high pest incidence. Not only singular places, but regions too can be evaluated. Results from combinations of elements, such as soil frozen with high water content, are considered valuable for recommendations to agricultural users. Agroclimatic model information concerning, for example, removal of plastic cover from spring crops, soil conditions for plant water use, tractability, herbicide effectiveness, germination, nutrient washout, and harvest, is directly usable by farmers. The information about forest fire index, extreme season assessment (for compensation payments), and trend analyses is of practical use for administration. The use of risk levels for plant pathogens is important both for farmers and extension services. The future importance of agroclimatic applications is considered high.

Keywords

agroclimatologyagroclimatological risk assessmentmicroclimatesoil moisturephenologyforest fireharvest conditionspests and diseasesextreme agrometeorological conditionsclimate change impact
Type
Research Article
Information
Meteorological Applications , Volume 13 , Issue S1 , December 2006 , pp. 61 - 67
Copyright
Royal Meteorological Society

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