Impacts of 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming on Eucalyptus plantations in South America

Abstract

Even if the maximum global warming thresholds established by the Paris Agreement (1.5 and 2 °C relative to pre-industrial levels) are not exceeded, part of the climate system impacts resulting from this warming will be unavoidable. Forestry industries may be especially vulnerable, due to water shortages and the inability of growing certain forest species. An important part of the South American economy depends on the forestry sector (between 2 to ~7% of the Gross Domestic Product), mainly products derived from Eucalyptus, and so evaluating water availability considering the temperature thresholds established by the Paris Agreement will be fundamental. This study analyzed increased global average temperatures at 1.5 °C and 2 °C, and the impacts on water availability, using the Climatic Water Balance (CWB), and also studied possible impacts on Eucalyptus plantations in South America. Monthly temperature and precipitation data obtained from a set of simulations and projections of 26 General Circulation Models (GCMs) were used, in four Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. The CWB was calculated for three periods: i) the pre-industrial period (1861–1890), ii) the present period (1975–2005), and iii) the period when temperature projections are expected to reach global average increases of 1.5 °C and 2 °C. Due to changes in the CWB, with increases in actual evapotranspiration, water deficits, and a reduced water surplus, Eucalyptus plantations will be negatively affected and economically unfeasible for about 49.2% to 56.7% of all of South America, including a large part of the Amazon region, northern South America, midwestern and northeastern Brazil, western portions of Bolivia, Paraguay, central/northern Argentina, and northern Chile. Only some parts of South America, like the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, Uruguay, southern Argentina and Chile, Andes Mountain Range, and northwestern South America, will not suffer water deficits, and Eucalyptus plantations will be less impacted in these regions. Large parts of South America will suffer from changes in water availability. The future of the forestry industry, and especially Eucalyptus plantations in these regions, will depend on urgent and effective adaptation measures.