1 option
Climate Variability and Water Infrastructure: Historical Experience in the Western United States / Zeynep K. Hansen, Gary D. Libecap, Scott E. Lowe.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Hansen, Zeynep Kocabiyik.
- Series:
- Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w15558.
- NBER working paper series no. w15558
- Language:
- English
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);
- Other Title:
- Climate Variability and Water Infrastructure
- Place of Publication:
- Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2009.
- Summary:
- Greater historical perspective is needed to enlighten current debate about future human responses to higher temperatures and increased precipitation variation. We analyze the impact of climatic conditions and variability on agricultural production in five semi-arid western states. We assemble county-level data on dams and other major water infrastructure; agricultural crop mixes and yields; precipitation and temperature; soil quality, and topography. Using this extensive data set, we analyze the impact of water infrastructure investments on crop mix and yields in affected counties relative to similarly-endowed counties that lack such infrastructure. We find that water infrastructure smoothes agricultural crop production and increases the likelihood of a successful harvest, especially during times of severe drought or excessive precipitation.
- Notes:
- December 2009.
- Print version record
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.