Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources, Indices, and Related Activities in Colombia

Abstract

In Colombia, a country with great climatic diversity, the water balance is affected in one way or another by climate change depending on the region. Thus, there may be increases and decreases in precipitation and, in all cases, a huge increase in temperature. This document presents some studies carried out in different areas of the country regarding the effects of climate change on water resources, including its influence on hydroelectric power generation, some changes in the water balance in arid areas, and the opportunity to ensemble climate change scenarios. Likewise, it outlines a possible future water supply-demand relationship, where supply is associated with a change in the water balance and demand with some crops, activities, and sectors that need water to survive. This allows to estimate some future status indices to see the overall picture of climate change in connection with the country's water resources.

The determinants of common bean variety selection and diversification in Colombia

“…Consequently, a worsened ENSO is expected to reduce the profitability of the cultivation of traditional common bean varieties ( CIAT, 2008 ). In addition, low-elevation geographical areas are expected to become less suitable for the cultivation of traditional varieties of common beans because they will have an increased prevalence of biotic and abiotic stresses with a worsened ENSO ( Ramirez-Villegas et al, 2012 ; Eitzinger et al, 2014 ; Güiza-Villa et al, 2020 ). Finally, producers located at higher elevations have a limited capacity to adapt to climate change since a hilly topography limits the use of heavy machinery or bulky technology to cultivate common beans ( Ramirez-Villegas et al, 2012 ; Feola et al, 2015 ; Acevedo and Martinez, 2016 ).…”