Abstract

RUIZ CABARCAS, Aida del Carmen  and  PABON CAICEDO, José Daniel. Effect of the El Niño and La Niña Phenomena on Precipitation and Agricultural Production in the Department of Atlántico (Colombia). Cuad. Geogr. Rev. Colomb. Geogr. [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.2, pp.35-54. ISSN 0121-215X.

Abstract The paper analyzes the impact of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena on both precipitation and agricultural production in the Department of Atlántico. Historically, droughts, anomalous rainy periods, and floods have constantly affected this region. Findings show that under El Niño conditions, rainfall is below average, while La Niña causes above-average rainfall. Sesame and banana yields increase when rainfall is above average (usually under La Niña conditions) during the short dry season and both the first and second rainy seasons. The above-average rainfall in the dry season has a positive impact on cassava yields. Corn yields increase if the recorded rainfall in the short dry season is above average and decrease under above-average precipitation in the second rainy season. Bean yields decrease when rainfall is above average during the first and second rainy seasons and increase when rainfall is above average in the short dry season. Cotton yields decrease in cases of above-average rainfall in the second rainy season, while sorghum does not present noticeable responses to precipitation anomalies.

Keywords : climate and agriculture in the Department of Atlántico; climate variability in Colombia; climate variability in the Department of Atlántico.

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