Mapping projected variations of temperature and precipitation due to climate change in Venezuela

Abstract

The impacts of climate change will not be homogeneous in all countries or between regions within each country. Mapping projected changes in temperature and precipitation is crucial for formulating region-specific agricultural adaptation measures. The spatial variation of projected changes in temperature and annual precipitation for 1970–2000 and 2041–2060 in Venezuela was analyzed using the WorldClim 2.1 data. Both variables have been analyzed in fourteen physiographic regions that differ in climate, geology, geomorphology, soils, and land use. The results reveal that western regions experience higher temperature increases, while the regions located in the east and center of the country are projected to experience greater decreases in rainfall. Likewise, temperature and precipitation will increase from north to south. Thus, there are differences in how different regions will be affected by variations in temperature and annual precipitation associated with climate change. It is concluded that physiographic regions can be used as large spatial units to plan future land use and design agricultural adaptation measures to climate change at the national scale.