Relationship between the 1997/98 El Niño and 1999/2001 La Niña events and oil palm tree production in Tumaco, Southwestern Colombia

• Main Authors: M. C. Cadena, A. Devis-Morales, J. D. Pabón, I. Málikov, J. A. Reyna-Moreno, J. R. Ortiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2006-01-01
• Series: Advances in Geosciences
• Online Access: http://www.adv-geosci.net/6/195/2006/adgeo-6-195-2006.pdf
• ISSN: 1680-7340; 1680-7359

Although the relationship between ENSO events and oceanographic and meteorological conditions of Southwestern Colombia is well-known, very little work has been done to assess the related socio-economic impacts. This is the first effort made to determine the effect of such events on local climate and the impact of this variability on oil palm tree (<I>Elaeis guineensis</I>) production in the Tumaco municipality, which is located on Colombia&apos;s Pacific coast. First, we studied the correlation between sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the various El Ni&#241;o regions and those observed off Tumaco. Next, we scrutinized the ENSO impact on regional climatic indicators, e.g. active solar radiation (hrs/day), air temperature (&deg;C), and rain (mm). Finally, we analyzed the relationship between ENSO, Tumaco climate variability, and oil palm production (tons/hectare-month). Hours of active radiation increased (decreased) under El Ni&#241;o (La Ni&#241;a) conditions, as did average monthly precipitation rates and air temperature. ENSO-related climatic variability also had an important effect on the different developmental stages of the oil palm tree, thereby affecting its production. The worst scenario was found during La Ni&#241;a, when reduced intensity of the rainy season (second semester) caused severe droughts in the region.