The impacts of land use / land cover changes on the tropical maritime climate of Puerto Rico
Abstract
Previous studies of the influences of Land Use / Land Cover Changes (LULCC) on the climate of continental areas have provided a basis for our current understanding of LULCC impacts. However continental climates may not provide complete explanations or answer specific scientific questions for other regions, such as small tropical-maritime dominated islands. Here we provide a detailed analysis of century-scale climate change for Puerto Rico, and assess the degree to which some of this change might be related to LULCC. We used long-term data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical analysis and Regional Atmospheric Modeling Systems (RAMS) to detect and assess the impact of local urban development on temperature and precipitation. We found strong evidence of a relationship linking temperature and precipitation magnitudes to local urban development. Findings for maximum, average and minimum temperature are robust showing that urbanization has increased local temperatures and levels of impact found here represent minimum estimates since they were based on data that had some prior adjustment intended to control for urban signals. Strong evidence of this relationship was also found in the precipitation data analysis, but no clear correlation was found in the direction, magnitude, period and location of rain with urban development implying that other factors dominate or are playing some role in this relationship. RAMS numerical modeling results were inconclusive suggesting that further tuning of settings and parameters are needed before model results can be used to guide decision-making.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Niyogi, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Climate Change|Environmental science|Remote sensing
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.