Abstract
Previous numerical simulations have suggested that the area adjacent to Itaipu Lake in Southern Brazil is significantly affecting the local thermal regime through development of a lake breeze. This has led to concerns that soybean growth and development, and consequently yield, has been affected by the creation of the artificial lake in this important agricultural region, but a systematic climatological study of the thermal effects of Itaipu Lake has not been conducted. The objectives of this study were to assess the spatial pattern of minimum and maximum air temperatures in a 10-km-wide area adjacent to Itaipu Lake as affected by distance from the water. Measurements were conducted over 3 years in seven transects along the shore of Itaipu Lake, with five weather stations placed in each transect. Phenological observations in soybean fields surrounding the weather stations were also conducted. Generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) analysis indicated no difference in the temperature time series as distance from water increased. Semivariograms showed that the random components in the air temperature were predominant and that there was no spatial structure to the signal. Wind direction measured over the three growing seasons demonstrated that, on average, the development of a lake breeze is limited to a few locations and a few hours of the day, supporting the temporal and spatial analysis. Phenological observations did not show differences in the timing of critical soybean stages. We suggest that the concerns that soybean development is potentially affected by the presence of Itaipu Lake are not supported by the thermal environment observed.
Highlights
The moderating effect of large water bodies on air temperature is well-known and is responsible for local climates that allow for productive agriculture in their vicinity, as for example, in the Great Lakes region of North America (Sanderson 2004)
We suggest that the concerns that soybean development is potentially affected by the presence of Itaipu Lake are not supported by the thermal environment observed
Created lakes for hydroelectric power generation have the potential of affecting local climate and generating lake breezes (Klaic and Kvakic 2014) potentially causing a shift in conditions for agriculture in adjacent lands
Summary
The moderating effect of large water bodies on air temperature is well-known and is responsible for local climates that allow for productive agriculture in their vicinity, as for example, in the Great Lakes region of North America (Sanderson 2004). Created lakes for hydroelectric power generation have the potential of affecting local climate and generating lake breezes (Klaic and Kvakic 2014) potentially causing a shift in conditions for agriculture in adjacent lands. Numerical simulation and limited measurements of air temperature over Itaipu Lake and at an adjacent land station concluded that the lake is inducing and sustaining a local circulation pattern (Stivari et al 2003) and reducing the regional thermal amplitude (Stivari et al 2005). Results from previous studies on the effect of Itaipu Lake (Stivari et al 2003, 2005) have led to concerns that thermal conditions for an important regional crop such as soybeans could be affected, and a systematic climatological study for the area is needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
