Impacts of Climate Change in Agriculture and Possible Adaptations

in Atlantic Canada

Jean-Louis Daigle, Executive Director

Gordon Fairchild, Ph.D., P.Ag., Soils Specialist

Presentation to:

Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

Ottawa, May 1st, 2003

The ECSWCC is located in a prime location:

• A highly representative Potato production area in NB• Black Brook & Little River Studies• Groundwater Studies (AAC)• Habitat Studies (CRI)• Natural Lab. for Soil and Water Conservation Education

Upper Saint John River - Grand Falls, NB

Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre (ECSWCC)

Our Mission

To promote sustainable natural resourcemanagement with Atlantic Canada

agricultural stakeholders.

Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre

Our Vision

We envision a future where the development of the Agricultural Industry is :

environmentally sound, economically viable, and

socially responsible

Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre

Our Mandate

1. Information and Awareness Services2. Networking3. Policy Analysis4. Technology Transfer5. Specialized Advisory Services6. Professional Development

(2002 Strategic Plan)

Our Involvements with Climate Change & GHG in Agriculture

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Climate Change Table Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emmissions from Canadian

Agriculture Options Report 2001

• Agricultural Awareness Partnership Project Under the Climate Change Action Fund (CFA, SCCC, CCA, PFRA-AAFC and ECSWCC)

• C-CIARN Agriculture National Advisory Group CC - Impacts & Adaptation Research Network in Agriculture

• AAFC Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Advisory Committee

• Soil Conservation Council of Canada Taking Charge Initiatives & GHG Mitigation Program

Climate Change Impacts and AdaptationIn the Atlantic Region

Overview and special focus areas:

1- Conservation Implications of climate change: Soil Erosion and Runoff from Cropland

Water Quality Impacts

2- Water Conservation and Management Irrigation Needs

Flood Control

3- Actions needed for Adaptation in Agriculture

Excess Soil Erosion and Runoff

Soil Compaction

Loss of Organic Matter

Loss of Crop Productivity

Loss of Available Soil-Water

Many Atlantic soils are still impacted by serious soil erosion and degradation issues

Estimated annual on-farm cost $40 million in Atlantic region and $10-12 million in NB Potato Belt alone (1985 estimates by AAFC)

Black Brook 6,000 T/yr

Increased risks of soil erosion & impacts of agricultural runoff containing sediments, N, P, pesticides & bacteria

Regional Climatic Considerations

from: The Health of our Water. (2000). Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"A change in precipitation regime also produces a change in the level of risks to which agricultural land is exposed.

In general, a regime with greater annual precipitation particularly if increased storm intensity changes more

than storm frequency- hightens the risk of soil erosion, runoff, and related

environmental and ecological damages."

Source: Conservation Implications of Climate Change Report from Soil and Water Conservation Society

January 2003

Sheet & rill soil erosion are being addressed by:

1. Better Crop Rotation 2. Strip cropping3. Winter cover crops

Green manures4. Conservation tillage & Residue Management5. Mulching

1,2

3

54

6. Cross-slope & contour cropping7. Diversion terraces &

grassed waterways8. Land drainage enhancement 9. Nutrient and Sediment Control Basins

6 & 7

7 8

Rill & gully erosion (steeper fields) by:

9

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation

2- Water Conservation & Management Needs

• Increasing requirements for Supplemental Irrigation

Competition for available surface and ground water

Need for water sourcing infrastructuresFeasibility of supplemental irrigation ?

• Increasing flood risks in sensitive areas or watersheds:

Coastal zones (NB, PEI, NS) Floodplains (ex. Lower Saint John River Valley, etc)

Dykelands protection (NB and NS) Flood and sediment control systems

Increased moisture deficits & frequency of localized drought may lead some farmers to consider implementing supplemental irrigation

(PEI, NB and NS)

Irrigation

Water storage

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation

Access to water & allocation

Potential conflicts

A. Bootsma1, and all. (2001). Adaptation of agricultural production to climate change in Atlantic Canada. 1AAFC

Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation

Total Land Irrigated in Atlantic Canada by provinces (ha)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

1996 2001

NBPEINSNF

Source: Stats Canada

Total: 5562 ha – 2001or eq. 0.71% of land irrigated

in Canada

NB 1996 – 3500 ac

NWSEP - Agricultural Water Supply Issues in Atlantic Canada (March 2003)

Key Findings: May not be a net shortage of water for agriculture on an annual basis however there is competition and substantial concerns over the allocation of the resource such as:

• Its availability at critical period

• Increasing demand for other users

• Concerns with its water quality for irrigation and livestock

• Lack of regulatory consistency and efficiency

• Public perception that agricultural demand for water is jeopardizing the supply of water (both quantity and quality)

Irrigation vs Integrated Soil and Water Management

In the Atlantic, with rainfall in excess of evapotranspiration, conserving the water in the soil may be more important than irrigation in producing high quality crops and preserving the environment.

• This includes measures taken to:

• increase soil-water holding capacity with conservation practices

• improve soil drainage

• Improve crop rotation

• reduce agricultural runoff risks

Actions Needed: Riparian Management & Flood Control

Actions Needed for Adaptation to Climate Change in Atlantic Canada

• Educational and Awareness Initiatives and Tools Development in natural resource management among all agricultural stakeholder and the rural community.

• Technology Tranfert & Adaptation including on-farm demonstration of cost effective and acceptable BMPs.

Actions Needed for Adaptation to Climate Change in Atlantic Canada

• Research & Development efforts in long term sustainable resource management solutions (ex. erosion and sediment prediction models and its interaction with water quality, pesticides, and nutrients losses)

• Climate Change adaptation in agriculture will need to be integrated into long term governmental programs and policies adapted to regional needs under the APF and other initiatives.

Summary • Climate Change will have significant implications on soil erosion and runoff from cropland while increasing environmental pressures.

• Need to improve communication of cost effective risk management strategies and technology tranfert at the farm gate in order to sustain our rural communities.

• Need to develop proactive strategies in soil and water conservation and environmental farm planning.

Web Site: WWW.CCSE-SWCC.NB.CA