Climate information system for agriculture and water resource management in the SE USA

Collaborators: C. Fraisse, K. T.Ingram, J.W.Jones

Institutions: University of Florida

Funding Agency: NOAA/OGP / RISA

Start: July 2009 End: June 2010

Status: Funded

Filed Under: Agriculture, Extension, Water

Abstract: The Southeastern Climate Consortium (SECC) conducts research to reduce climate and weather risks to agriculture and natural resources in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and is transferring existing and developing new agricultural tools for North and South Carolina. The overarching goal of the SECC is to develop a climate information and decision support system for the southeastern USA that will contribute to an improved quality of life, increased profitability, decreased economic risks, and more ecologically sustainable management of agriculture, forestry and water resources.Toward our overarching goal we have established six objectives. As a multi-institutional consortium, different member institutions of the SECC emphasize project objectives that build on the strengths of each institution. 1. To develop downscaled ENSO climate information and forecasts for the Southeastern USA. (Florida State Univ. and Univ. of Florida) 2. To enhance and extend agricultural applications of climate forecasts in the Southeastern USA. (Univ. Miami, Univ. Florida, Univ. Georgia, Univ. Alabama-Huntsville) 3. To develop and refine methods to incorporate climate forecast in water resource management in the Southeastern USA. (Univ. Florida, Florida State Univ., Univ.Georgia, Auburn Univ., and Univ. of Alabama-Huntsville) 4. To develop new and improved methods for integrating models from different disciplines for application of climate forecast information in agricultural and water resource decision making. (Univ. Miami, Univ. Florida) 5. To foster effective use of climate information and predictions in forestry and wildfire management. (Florida State Univ.) 6. To document and assess the utility and impact of climate forecast information provided to stakeholders in agriculture and water resource management. (Univ. Miami, Univ. Georgia)

The Florida Climate Institute (FCI) is a multi-disciplinary network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists, and individuals concerned with achieving a better understanding of climate variability and change.