PRECIPITATION CHANGES AND TURFGRASS


By Jerry L. Hatfield, , laboratory director and supervisory plant physiologist, for the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment


Editor’s note: Tis is the second in a four-article series on Climate Change and Turf by Jerry L. Hatfield. Te first article, which appeared on pages 68-73 of the July/August 2019 issue of Turf News, provided a general overview of climate change. Te two articles to follow will address: the changing temperature and implications for growth of turfgrass and pests; and the value of turfgrass systems in mitigating microclimates in urban areas.


Water is essential for the growth and health of all living beings. Te source of water that we use is ultimately from precipitation that falls to the earth. One of the major issues facing us today is how can we effectively use the finite amount of water we have to meet all of the societal needs. In the past few years, we have heard about intense rainfall amounts, droughts, and overall changes in our precipitation patterns. Tese changes are occurring, and we need to understand how they are changing and the impact on management options that exist for turfgrass that will permit the industry to thrive in times of climate uncertainty. What we need to consider are the implications of the changes in precipitation patterns and the impact on the turfgrass industry.


Everyone has observed the changes in precipitation and one of the most asked questions I receive is, “What is going on with our precipitation?” One of the largest changes in the recent climate history of the United States and throughout the world is in precipitation. Shifts in seasonality and intensity, coupled with an increase in annual totals, are common trends already being observed. Furthermore, the projection is that these trends will continue. It is my belief that water management for turfgrass will be critical decisions in the future to ensure viability of all aspects of turfgrass systems.


Figure 1. Precipitation changes across the United States in the recent decades by region. Figure published in the National Climate Assessment 2014 (https://www.globalchange.gov/nca4).


58 TPI Turf News September/October 2019


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