Once they understand the main processes that occur on a small scale, they can calculate the mixing processes for major continental shelves and deep-ocean ridges. Large-scale flood protection systems like the Red River Valley are vulnerable to the impacts of predicted climate variability and change. Failure of the Red River Floodway would result in safety hazards to Manitobans, as well as economic losses. In these semi-arid regions, sustainable agricultural production requires an adequate supply of water. Global warming is expected to increase temperatures and change precipitation patterns, which will have an impact on water supply and demand.
Climate models project warmer winters.
More frequent freeze and thaw cycles represent a significant threat to winter forage crops, which comprise more than 40 percent of cultivated land in Canada. Climate is a key determining factor in the type of agricultural production possible in a region. To develop appropriate agricultural adaptation strategies, scientists need to better understand the possible impacts of climate change on agricultural production and to identify vulnerable agricultural activities. These models will be invaluable tools to evaluate the impact of climatic changes on crop growth and to quantify the pressure that pests exert on crops, making it easier for farmers to manage climatic information in their routine operations. To predict the impacts of climate change on prairie diversity and to evaluate adaptation strategies to offset these impacts.