Adaptive parameters for smart climate agriculture: case study on erratic climate in Lombok, Eastern Indonesia

Abstract

An erratic climate is one the most complex phenomena in semi-arid tropics. Therefore, dewpoint temperature (Td), relative humidity (RH) and air temperature (Ta) could be adaptive parameters required to resolve the complexity of the climate in the regions. Descriptive research was conducted to study variability of the Td, RH and Ta in the erratic climate of Lombok. Objective of research was to study temporal and spatial variability of the Td resulted from variation of Ta and RH. Climate data, namely temperature, preci-pitation and RH were collected within a period of 15 years (2006-2021). Scenario of the onset and the end of rainy season were constructed by means of a polynomial model. Results of the model showed that the onset of rainy season was initiated if the Td reached 26.2°C. A transition period from wet to dry was commenced when Td at 25.2 °C, and the difference between Ta and Td (∆Td) was 2.78 °C. In the wet season, the Td was 23.5°C with ∆Td 2.42 °C, RH 87%, and predicted rainy day was 98 days (91.6%). In dry season, the average Td was 22.2°C with ∆Td 3.12°C, RH 75.3%, and predicted rainy days were 27 days (actual 22 days). In conclusion, increase in air temperature without increase in humidity could result in decreasing number of potential rainy days, delaying of the onset rainy season and extending period of dry season. The dewpoint temperature would be the adaptive parameter in smart climate agriculture and being an effective measure to mitigate climate change in the erratic climate of Lombok.