Climate change trends over coniferous forests of Pakistan
Climate change trends over coniferous forests of Pakistan
Syed Said Badshah Bukhari and Ghulam Ali Bajwa
ABSTRACT
Climate change trends were assessed over coniferous forests of Pakistan for the period 1961-2000. The trends were calculated using Climate Research Unit (CRU)-UK data at a scale of 50x50 km2. The temperature regime was ranged between-12.44oC and 22.54oC over coniferous forests with the lowest temperature over Alpine pasture (AP) and the highest over Sub-Tropical Pine (STP). Monsoon was the warmest followed by summer. Precipitation regime was between 266.8 mm and 1071.6 mm. The highest precipitation was recorded over STP, while the lowest precipitation was over AP. The highest increase in maximum temperature (Tmax) was 2.03oC over AP during winter, while the lowest increase in Tmax was 0.08oC over AP during monsoon. The highest increase in minimum temperature (Tmin) was 2.61oC over AP during winter and the lowest increase in Tmin was 0.36oC over STP during monsoon. Temperature increases was relatively greater over AP as compared to other forests types. Temperature increase during winter was 1-2oC greater as compared to other seasons. The precipitation decreased by 9.6%, 5.8% and 0.3% over AP, Sub-Alpine (SA) and Dry Temperate Zone-2 (DT-2), respectively, while the precipitation increased by 16.7% and 12.3% over Moist Temperate (MT) and Sub-Tropical Pine (STP), respectively. The highest precipitation increase was 71.5% over MT during monsoon while the highest precipitation decrease was 30% over AP during summer. Precipitation increase over Dry Temperate Zone-1 (DT-1) during all seasons except summer indicated elevation latitudinal movement of precipitation. The increased temperature and precipitation over MT and DT-2 will enhance plant growth, while greater temperature increase and precipitation decrease over AP and SA will have negative effects on plant growth. These findings emphasize early initiation of adaptation and mitigation action plans to combat impacts of climate change on coniferous forests.
Key words: Climate change, Temperature, Precipitation, Alpine, Sub-Alpine, Dry Temperate, Moist Temperate, Sub-Tropical Pine
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
June 2011
Vol. 61, Iss. 2
