Climate change a threat to Prairie agriculture

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta has revealed that Canada’s Prairie provinces, a critical area for crop production, have been experiencing rising temperatures and increasing aridity over the past 120 years. The research, led by Emmanuel Mapfumo, an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, investigated the effects of climate change on Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba from 1901 to 2021.

The findings demonstrate a consistent pattern of higher air temperatures during winter and spring, reduced snowfall, and more frequent and intense rainfall events. These changes could have significant consequences for crop production in the region.

“Our report highlights the state of knowledge about the Prairies and where we can go from here,” says Mapfumo, who is also an associate professor at Concordia University of Edmonton. “There’s so much regional variability, it’s important to have data particular to an area to create adaptation strategies that will help protect crops.”

Mapfumo stresses that the Prairie provinces, along with parts of Ontario and Quebec, are crucial to Canada’s economy, contributing $30.6 billion to the country’s GDP in 2022 and employing over 118,000 workers in crop production.